He sent it again and again until his clothes were soaked through, but he didn’t care.
You have to stop, she said, her voice struggling. That gave him hope—he was weakening her shield.
I will not let him take you, he vowed.
Loki halted his escape, cocking his head to the side, watching Westley’s display of power.
He will not break me, she said.
He will not get the chance, he replied, renewing his onslaught. His magic surged, alive—his mate was about to be taken from him and he could not let that happen.
Only you can break me, West, she said with a sad smile. Loki’s eyes lit up.
Another blast of Westley’s power broke through the shadowed bands holding the remainder of his magic at bay. Her shield was no match for the tsunami of power he unleashed, breaking through at last. Westley stumbled through the broken barrier, rushing towards her.
Loki’s shadows wrapped around his body, bringing him to his knees.
“No!” she cried.
“Interesting,” Loki muttered.
“Take me instead,” he said to Loki, still heaving from the exertion of breaking the Block.
“No!” Solveig’s protest went unheard. She was trying desperately to free herself from Loki to no avail.
“Your power is great, Prince of the Sea, but it is not the one I want.”
“It’s better than nothing. She will not give you hers, but I will gift you mine,” he vowed, bowing his head.
“Westley!” Solveig shrieked, her magic fighting to break loose.
Loki laughed, throwing his head back as the sound boomed through the wet cavern. “You are a fool.”
Westley’s heart clenched. He was failing. He couldn’t fail her, not again.
But when Loki spoke, with that twinkle returning to his eye, Westley didn’t know what to make of it.
“I accept.”
“NO!” Solveig bellowed.
Loki vanished from her side, reappearing beside Westley. The god wrapped his large hand around his arm in a grip so tight, he couldn’t move. Not that he dared to. He’d done it. He had saved her.
Solveig let out a blast of light directed right at Loki, but he banished it easily. She was weakened from the struggle.
“I control the shadows of Hel, daughter. Now, say goodbye to your mate.”
“Never,” she vowed. Her copper eyes danced like fire. The intensity of her stare held Westley’s entire soul. He only had eyes for her as she wielded another bolt of lightning and thunder shook the realm. Thor’s thunder.
Solveig’s thunder.
His soul purred in response.
I’ll love you even after my last breath, he whispered into their bond.
“I will find you,” she vowed, sending the threat to her father.
“I’m counting on it.” Loki laughed, and the sound was so sinister that the victory Westley thought he’d won sank low, his stomach churning.
