Page 66 of A Light So Blinding
His mother leaned forward, clasping her hands together with her elbows braced on her knees. “She is not one of us, Bjorn, although I can see why you might think so. Her power affects the Hugr, the mind and emotion of all souls. Your magic is outside of your body. You can speak to and control animals if you wish. Combined, your gift could become very powerful indeed.”
But they were here to break that power, not encourage it. He didn’t want to know what they could do together if they remained as they were.
Apparently, Astrid did not share the same thoughts. “What do you mean? I know Bjorn said our magic would mix the longer we’re bonded, but...”
She trailed off. He wondered if some part of her was concerned about what she would reveal if she went down this path. But his mother immediately jumped into the conversation as though she had been hoping for Astrid to ask.
“Every bonded pair amplifies each other’s magic. You are a unique pairing because you are both strong in magic. Given time, and practice, you would be able to access and perhaps even control the Fylgja. They are guardian spirits, often in the form of animals, that guide every living being in our realm. Many cannot see them but will know what they are.”
“The Fylgja?”
“Have you ever stood in the middle of a field and heard crows that weren’t there?” His mother asked. “Have you ever sat on a stream and listened to frogs croaking that you could not see? These are spirit guides. Guardians who lead us through our lives, sometimes even determining how long we live. You could affectthem. Pull them out of people. Use them to your own advantage. You could wield those creatures like weapons, if you wished. Your own and others.”
Astrid’s eyes grew larger and larger. Even Bjorn wasn’t sure if he enjoyed the thought of that. Together, they would be rather impressive if they continued to allow their magic to mix.
“And if we sever the bond?” she asked.
“None of it will come to be. You will return to affecting emotions. He will talk to animals. It will be as if nothing happened.” With a shrug, his mother stood. “But the things I see in the smoke... I would suggest you keep the stronger magic, dear ones. You are going to need it.”
“Why?” Astrid asked, her voice shaking.
“You said you don’t want to know your future. I will respect your wishes.”
As the women stood and left the fire, all Bjorn could think was that they had done this on purpose. The sly look in his mother’s eye, the way the other smoke breather held that baby who behaved so well, the other four who had only been there to underline what his mother and the other smoke reader had said. They were here to try to convince them to stay together.
His mother winked at him as she left with the other smoke reader and then mouthed words he had no idea how to read. But he knew that this was meant to help them. This was meant to push them in the right direction of staying together.
He was weak enough to accept the help. Bjorn wanted her, damn it. He wanted Astrid to stay with him, and if this was how he got her to do so, then that was what he would do.
“Come with me,” he said, standing and ignoring the pain blistering through his body.
“Where?” She took his hand and stood, a furrow between her brows. “And why? Shouldn’t we get this bond dissolved and then leave? My sister needs us, Bjorn.”
“Your sister is safe under the mountain.” And he needed to buy himself time. He needed to think and wonder and beg her to stay with him if that was what it took.
Twenty-Five
Astrid
Her mind was spinning. This wasn’t at all what she had thought would happen here in the grotto. The plan had been to get in, break the bond, leave.
But now everything felt jumbled. His family had been so kind to her. He’d made her this dress that fit her better than any dress had back home, and that was saying something. The style he’d chosen, the measurements, they were all so perfect she wondered if he’d somehow snuck in while she’d been sleeping to size her waist.
Astrid knew he hadn’t. He was so aware of her every move and all the things that she liked, that he could create a dress out of nothing that he knew she would love.
Then there was thatkiss. Of everything that made her head spin and turned her mind, that kiss was the most confusing of all.
She’d dreamt about it just last night. The way his hand spanned her waist. How he had gripped her so easily with his hand tunneling through her hair. The passion in his touch alonehad convinced her that he would be equally attentive elsewhere. And now she knew he absolutely would be. Just look at the dress on her body and how long it had taken him to make it.
But she was here for her sister. No one else. Her life didn’t matter. Her wants and needs didn’t matter. Rose had to come first, before all else.
So while he dragged her through the village, she told herself that she would get ahold of her feelings. She would tell Bjorn they needed to sever this bond right now, and then they would move on with their lives without each other. He would bring her to the mountain. She would free her sister, and they would part ways.
But then she saw where he was bringing her, and the words stuck in her throat. He parted the brambles for her, making sure that not a single one touched her skin or her new dress, and they went out into the fields beyond. The waving grass tickled her hips, so pretty it was hard to believe it was real. The sun shone high in the sky now, warming her skin. And the grin on his face was one she was still getting used to.
Bjorn smiled while they were here. That silly, big grin on his face might’ve looked dopey, but he was so happy.
She hadn’t seen him happy before all of this. He’d been gruff and stern, not this bright eyed man who still had hope in him.
