For a moment, I think he’ll be angry, but he only leans back and whispers.
“Fascinating.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? Don’t be. I’m honored that I can inspire your craft. Why do you think it works as your anchor?”
“I don’t know, your power and precision, I guess.”
“I knew it,” he laughs. “You actually think I’m great!”
I slap his arm.
“Stop it, you cocky mangy bastard.”
“Jokes aside, Kilda, I am honored to be glorified before the gods by you.”
“Are you serious? You don’t mind?”
“Not at all, use me all you like.”
He grins, a classic Ari shit-toothed grin. Cocky bastard.
I place a single splinter in my palm and close my eyes. Now, with Ari’s support and acceptance, my mind relaxes. Ari’s form, his speed, his perfect strike. It all makes sense.
A whirr goes through my arm and a sound comes from the wall. I already know the spell worked. An image of Njord flickers through my head. An image of my betrayal. Opening my eyes, I see that the splinter has missed its mark. It missed the fur completely. At least none of us is dead.
“Woohoo!” shouts Ari, jumping up and surprising me.
He shakes both arms over his head, laughing his naked laugh as he approaches the bone splinter stuck in the bare wall.
“That isamazing, Kilda,” he says as he inspects it closer. “Fuckingamazing.”
“What but… I missed.”
He approaches me quickly—his elated energy touches my own. My chest is lifted. Lifted beyond worries of botched duels. My heart is soaring.
“Stop beating yourself up,” he says, slapping my shoulder like he would a male friend. “That was great.”
“I still feel so clumsy with it.”
He kneels in front of me. His eyes flash like lightning, carrying a bright quality I have not seen in them before. Or in any eyes.
“Phenomenal,” he says.
“Please, it was a failure.”
He places a tender finger on my chest, between my breasts. I don’t flinch. His eyes stay locked to mine.
“The flame you have in here, Kilda.” He grabs my hands with passion. “Combined with the powers you have in these.”
I stare into his eyes, lost in the dazzling blue that seems to invite me into infinity. The fire crackles as I hold my breath. It feels like our hands are the center of Midgard.
“With that combination,” he whispers, “you can change the world.”
CHAPTER 67
“Yes!” I shout as I jump up from the bed. “Finally!”
