Leaving our suite proved tortuous, but unfortunately, Vale and I had already promised the Fellhelm siblings we’d join them for a morning training session. We did not want to disappoint our gracious hosts, nor appear flaky in our growing friendships.
Not to mention it had been weeks since we’d trained inside, with various weapons at our disposal, and without the threat of the wrong person or persons stumbling upon us. Our bodies wanted to stay beneath the furs, exploring one another, but we knew to take advantage of the situation. Once we left Dergia the following morning, we were not out of danger. Safety wouldn’t come until we reached Riis Tower and reassessed the situation. After that, how would we proceed?
Back in Avaldenn King Magnus would have questions about where we’d been and why. He already didn’t trust me, and I was sure that this period away had not strengthened that trust. If we did return, I’d first have to seek the king’sforgiveness and then gain allies at court under Magnus’s nose—a difficult and imposing prospect. Going back to courtjust mightbe worth it though, if only to find a lead on the Ice Scepter’s location.
The Hallow had been missing for so very long, and the king had been searching for it for some time. A part of me thought it preposterous that I could find the Hallow when no one else had. Another part believed that I’d learned many secrets regarding the Scepter and the realm and that had to be a sign. Perhaps I was fated to bring it to light once more?
I didn’t know, but with Sassa’s Blade hanging at my side and my mate walking with me, I figured training might clear my head. Perhaps inspire me too.
“We could still return to the bedroom and . . . stay there for hours.”
The raw desire in Vale’s tone made my toes curl in my boots. In the weeks after a mating bond formed, mates had a greater need for each other—physically, mentally, emotionally.
“We should train for a few hours,” I said. “If I’m really going to ally with the dwarves, I need to see how they fight.”
“So you’re considering an official alliance?”
“I would be a fool not to.” I lifted my shoulder. “Plus, think of all thezupriansteel weapons you can try today.”
He mulled that over and nodded down to my blade, which I had not yet named. “I’m curious to see if, now that we know the blade holds shadows within, we can’t draw them out.”
“I have no idea what to expect from it,” I replied. We’dtrained often during our journey south and had seen no hint of shadows. Or any magic from the blade at all.
“Has anyone told you that Sassa’s Blade is said to be a Hallow of this land too?” Vale looked at me. “I meant to mention it once we learned the name of the blade, but we’ve been busy since we visited the forges.”
Busy with diplomacy. Then each other.
“Roar introduced me to the idea of the Scepter as a Hallow, but that was all he mentioned.”
“I’m not surprised. That is the one people saw the most. As far as I know, King Harald did not bring Sassa’s Blade out for the public to view. And I’ve never heard it called a shadow blade. Maybe that’s why he did not bring it out much, but it’s just as likely that he wished to keep his treasures private. The third Hallow also rarely saw the light of day.”
“What’s the third one?”
“The Frør Crown.”
I’d heard that King Magnus wanted the Crown. However, that was the extent of my knowledge regarding the Crown.
“What does that do?”
“Only the Falks knew, I fear.” Vale took my hand, kissed it along the line of snowflakes that bonded us. “Are you sure you’re ready to go public? People will see our marks.”
I laughed, and not just at the sudden change of topic, the thinly veiled attempt to get me back into bed. “I expect everyone aside from Anna and Caelo already thought we were having sex all the time, Vale. The mark doesn’t alwaysappear the first time, anyway. Or so I’ve read.” I looked at him. “Besides, they’ll be happy for us.”
And they were. The moment we entered the castle’s training room, Prince Thordur and Princess Bavirra walked over to meet us, with a sly grin on her face. The youngest of the Fellhelms, the triplets, and Prince Balindur, were mid-sparring and did not stop to greet us.
Anna and Caelo were present too, the former learning how to wield a dagger and use her body weight to her advantage as she did so. They paused in their practice, and I waved.
Anna’s eyes bulged as she shrieked. “What’s on your hand?!”
I laughed. My friend was human, and between humans, there was no such thing as a soulmate mark, but I’d spoken of mates often enough for her to recognize the outward signs.
I took Vale’s hand and lifted them together. “Soulmates.”
The next minutes were a flurry of happy congratulations from the royals and our friends.
Anna, unable to contain her joy, gripped Vale’s hand and beamed. “Now we both have matching marks with Neve.” She pointed to the crescent scar on her collarbone, the one she’d carved into her skin at the age of eleven, so I would not feel so ugly and alone. The scar matched the one on my temple—the same scar that made Roar suspect who I was the moment he met me.
“Family resemblances,” Vale said, which made Anna’s dark eyes fillwith tears.
