The thought of Sunnëva drew a thought, unbidden, to her mate. At this current point in time, Jökull still ruled the Everfrost in the east. That was a day’s flight away on dragon back.
Two gods against one Primordial may improve their odds.
Hesitantly, Alora suggested through the bond.I know you and your brother did not part well, but perhaps we might seek his aid?—
A muscle in Rune’s jaw flexed.
She had already braced herself for refusal, but when his voice brushed her mind, it carried quiet resignation.I did attempt to contact him, but his kingdom is also sealed. I suspect it is Fate’s way of guarding his destiny.
Her heart faltered. That one glimmer of hope had been extinguished before it could even surface. But if they could speak now, would Jökull come?
I have given him every reason to refuse me,Rune replied.I spent years as his enemy, allowing my demons to terrorize his kingdom merely out of spite. I marched against him twice and nearly siphoned his son. He owes me nothing.
The truth of it settled between them. This was not pride but consequence.
Jökull will not meet Sunnëva for another century,Rune added.She would not allow anything that might endanger their future.
Understanding stirred in a quiet ache. Perhaps the seal around the Everfrost was more than Fate’s doing. She could not fault Sunnëva for guarding her future.
Alora had done the same.
“Mortal armies and fractured kingdoms cannot stand against Vorak.” Sal’vathar’s limbs twitched. “It would take a god to defeat a god.”
“Gods cannot kill their own kind, Sal,” Nexia snickered. “You know this.”
Sal’vathar’s eyes caught the firelight as they lingered on Rune for a beat too long. “Yes, you are right, my dear.”
Alora’s breath caught, though her mate remained indifferent.
Does he know that you are not a trueborn god?she asked through the bond.
He suspects.
“The answer may lie in the Rift,” Ira cut in, his deep voice rumbling in the chamber. “There must be a way to seal it. Then Vorak would remain chained.”
Rune stilled beside her.
All eyes landed on Deimos. They had left the task of researching the ancient scrolls to him. Yet the spy shifted on his feet, and his gaze flickered to Rune.
Alora looked at him too. He kept still, refusing to meet her gaze.
You know.
His jaw flexed.It is not an option.
“The Rift was opened by a soul’s destruction,” Morvenna mused as she cuddled Ira’s large arm, nuzzling him. “Only the anchor of a powerful soul could bind it closed.”
“Would you offer yours, Shadow King?” Sal’vathar’s eerie eyes fixed on Alora. “Or hers?”
The chamber went still.
As did Rune.
Shadows ripped through the chamber like the arc of a scythe. Sal’vathar did not move nor flinch as a cut sliced past his throat. Black blood leaked down his chest.
“I thought not.”
The torches flickered, as though the mountain itself had drawn a breath.
