Thirteen
Raina
The moment we were clear of the portal, I yanked my arm free from Liam’s grip. Ignoring him, I turned to see Mirrelle a few steps behind, her gaze watchful, her steps silent.
She’d never been to Ephandor. It wasn’t a place one traveled to for leisure, which was unfortunate because it was one of the most fascinating places I had ever visited.
From where we stood, at the edge of Adhian Forest, we could see the entrances to the cave system where many of the warriors made their homes. The surrounding hills were covered in lush, green foliage, helping the caverns blend perfectly into their surroundings, though signs of life made them visible today.
The smattering of entrances were dimly lit by flickering torches placed along the walls.
Heavily armed warriors in fighting leathers could be seen milling about, some standing guard while others trained together in the open spaces. The air smelled of earth, mist, and a tinge of sweat, heavy with a sense of purpose.
Opposite the hills was the primary section of forest where families, typically with young offspring, resided in elaborate treehouses, which they called stokrans, suspended high off the ground.
As I looked around, I realized my memories hadn’t done justice to the beauty of this land. It was hushed and mysterious, with a sense of ancient magic pulsing through the air.
"My father approaches," Liam said quietly, his voice tense.
From out of the thick forest strode the Drótinn of Ephandor, dressed in the same combat hides as his warriors. Liam shared many features with his father, including height, but he was much leaner compared to Brahm's bulk.
The male moved fluidly, his powerful frame intimidating as always. His eyes, the same as Liam’s, seemed to miss nothing. They held a fierce determination that demanded respect.
Gunnar, Brahm’s eldest son and heir, followed close behind. He carried himself with lethal grace, a slightly smaller version of Brahm but with striking hazel eyes.
Both males kept their chocolate brown hair long, secured in tribal braids hanging down their backs. I thought back to when Liam had cut his braids in an effort to distance himself from the overwhelming shadows of his father and brother.
The duo approached and stopped a few feet away, not giving Liam the usual greeting reserved for their kin. They didn’t even offer a warrior’s greeting.
Unease slithered up my spine.
“Son,” the thickset male greeted coolly.
“Father,” Liam acknowledged with a nod, his face an unreadable mask. “Brother.”
Gunnar inclined his head, gaze flickering over his brother before settling on me with something akin to disdain.
"Raina," Brahm grunted, not bothering to hide his disapproval.
I swallowed hard. It wasn't surprising, but it smarted the same as a slap across the face.
"Drótinn Brahm, Hilmr Gunnar," I said, bowing respectfully.
"Allow me to present Lady Mirrelle Gilroy," Liam gestured toward our silent companion. “She is here at Lady Aeryn’s request, one made as we were about to depart so I was not able to notify you ahead of time.”
Her eyes met mine briefly, warning me to stay strong. I nodded in appreciation of that small gesture.
Gunnar inhaled. “Blood fae,” he murmured, inappropriately checking her out from head to toe.
The shapely female often received such attention, though she typically ignored it. Gunnar’s blatant appraisal must have struck a nerve because her fangs suddenly extended in response.
Brahm barely glanced at Mirrelle before turning his attention back to Liam. "I received your missive and replied.”
“Thank you for accepting—” I halted when Brahm lifted his palm in front of my face, attention remaining on Liam.
“I will hear from my son.”
The clan leader was often terse, but I’d never heard him interact with Liam like this. It wasn’t fair of him, especially since the blame, both past and present, should be placed upon me and my family. At least, as far as the nullified contract and my parents’ political scheming.
"We thank you for your offer of protection," Liam replied, his voice firm.
"Offer?" Brahm mused.
"Your reply clearly stated we were to arrive here at this time," Liam challenged, his jaw set. “Have you changed your mind?”
"I intend to assist, but our protection must be earned," Brahm explained. "You know our ways, son.”
I’d assumed something like this was what awaited our arrival, only I imagined it would be directed at me and me alone. Liam should have expected no less.
This, however? This was clearly a surprise. It took Liam a moment to accept there was no advantage here to carrying the Duersi name.
"Let me take them to my place and get them settled in," Liam offered. "Then we can figure out our next steps once they've had a chance to rest and I’ve recovered from the mines."
My head whipped to the male beside me. The mines? Surely not.
"Your gear will be taken to the guest house," Brahm answered curtly, gesturing to an underling hovering nearby. "Gunnar, you will be the escort into the mines."
"Raina, you and Mirrelle follow him to the guest house and stay there," Liam ordered, his voice strained.
Before I could respond, Brahm's deep voice interrupted.
"No," he declared firmly. "If you want the protection of this clan, Liam, you must return to the ways of our ancestors."
The Drótinn looked at me and then at Mirrelle, eyes hardening. "You two will do the same as my son to gain our safeguarding or you can return to Thornewood."
My muscles tightened. Liam wasn’t the outsider here. I was, along with Mirrelle. But I reminded myself that the Duersian Clan had always clung to their barbaric traditions.
Swallowing my frustration, I stepped forward. "I accept Drótinn Brahm's decree. I will do as you say, but I do not speak for my friend."
Mirrelle's reaction was quite different from mine. She rubbed her hands together gleefully, a wicked grin spreading across her face.
“Drótinn Brahm, I am ready, willing, and able to meet your challenges,” she purred, blood-red eyes glinting with anticipation. “In fact, I look forward to them.”
This time around, Brahm gave Mirrelle more than a cursory glance. The corner of his mouth twitched before he clapped Gunnar on the back. His oldest son blinked like he was coming out of a spell.
Brahm turned to leave, saying over his shoulder, “I hope to see each of you at dinner.”
Gunnar's hostility was palpable as he glared. “Come,” he clipped, leading the way south, his broad back turned to us as we trailed close behind.
I glanced at Liam, trying to gauge his thoughts, but his expression was carefully neutral. Mirrelle, on the other hand, seemed to be in high spirits, practically bouncing on her toes with excitement.
As we followed Gunnar through the winding paths, my thoughts kept returning to the upsetting words exchanged between Liam and his father. I didn’t want him to go into the mines distracted by it.
"I didn't realize you had your own home here in Ephandor," I said to Liam, breaking the silence that hung between us.
"What, you thought I might have been completely cast out?" he asked.
“Of course not. I’m just surprised. The main stokran has so much room and—.”
Gunnar snorted. “He built a home for you to live in.”
“Shut the fuck up, Gun,” Liam threatened.
“Make me.”
Liam grabbed Gunnar from behind and spun him around, yanking him close by the shirt and baring his teeth.
“Think very carefully before you make that next move,” Gunnar advised with a steady voice.
“Oh, trust me, I’ve been thinking about it.”
Gunnar shook his head. “I wasn’t talking to you.”
Liam’s eyebrows came together, shifting his attention to the right of his brother where he found me with my spear extended. Pointed directly at Gunnar’s neck.
That’s when I noticed the tip of a blade pointed at Liam’s femoral artery. When Liam let go of Gunnar’s shirt I collapsed the spear and secured it to my back once more.
Mirrelle was close, grasping my elbow, steadying my shaking arm. He built a home for you to live in. And he never told me.
She gave me a little squeeze then said, “I think the quicker we get where we’re going, the better.”
“The blood fae is right,” Gunnar agreed, holstering his dagger.
The four of us continued our short trek down the sloping terrain to the mouth of a large tunnel. It was the only cavern without any activity near it.
Steps from entering, as though nothing had happened between them, Liam questioned Gunnar about their latest intelligence. "Have there been any incidents recently?" he asked, his tone casual. “Anything we should be aware of?"
"Nothing we can't handle," Gunnar replied brusquely, not bothering to look at him. "But then again, we're used to dealing with problems instead of running away from them."
The barb was clearly aimed at Liam who kept quiet. It only served to fuel Gunnar's ire.
"Of course," Gunnar continued, "some think that bringing the frost nymph into our territory is not only courting disaster, it’s an insult."
Mirrelle laughed haughtily. “Like you don’t lie awake at night dreaming of the next battle.”
“I never said I didn’t like a good fight. There’s nothing quite like two adversaries going at it, is there?”
“No,” she sighed dreamily, “there’s really not.”
Gunnar’s hands flexed down by his sides. “Yes, well the idea here is to keep the danger away from Raina, to keep her safe when we all know it is impossible. Despite any efforts you and your rulers make, this will all come to a head and she’ll end up in the thick of it anyway, which means we will, as well.”
Oxygen refused to inflate my lungs for a couple of breaths. He’d reached into my mind and given voice to my fear. Not for myself, but that I would be putting others in harm’s way.
"Raina can handle herself," Mirrelle declared staunchly, coming to my defense. "She's more than capable."
"Is she now?" Gunnar slighted without any heat behind his words. "Let's hope she's as tough as you think she is, little dove. I’d hate to see you struggle to keep her alive."
“You can speak directly to me, you know.” They both ignored me.
"Bring it on, tiny," Mirrelle taunted, her eyes locked onto her target.
Gunnar's lips curled, but he didn't respond to her teasing. Instead, he quickened his pace, marshaling us to the narrow passage that led to the heart of the mines.
When we began our descent, Mirrelle's heated stare remained on Gunnar with a mixture of anger and ... something else, something primal.
Liam touched my arm and gave me a quick shake of his head. I wasn’t planning on jumping in, but I didn’t want Mirrelle to get herself into any trouble here. Blessedly, we made the rest of the journey in silence.
As we reached the bottom of the shaft, Gunnar stopped at a large door—and finally perceived Mirrelle's lingering stare. He smirked, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Like what you see, dove? Maybe I'll let you have a taste later."
Mirrelle's response was immediate and dramatic. She gagged loudly, her whole body convulsing as if she'd swallowed something utterly revolting. The sheer intensity of her reaction caught him off guard.
My eyes rounded, both hands covering my mouth to avoid making it worse. Liam snickered a breath later.
Gunnar’s jaw ticked. Reaching for the handle, his eyes met Mirrelle's again, and for a moment, their heated gazes seemed to spark something in the air between them.
"Last chance," Gunnar cautioned, wrenching open the steel door to the main chamber. The darkness beyond yawned like the maw of some enormous beast, hungry for its next meal.
He was looking at Mirrelle when he said, "The door cannot be opened until each soul who’s entered the chamber has finished their task. You can still back out and run off to Thornewood where I’m sure there’s an opulent room with a big comfy bed waiting for you."
"Your fake concern is noted, but I’m not going anywhere," Mirrelle shot back. "I'm here to have Raina's back, since you and your family seem to be lacking in your desire to do so."
With that, she raised her middle finger in defiance and strode past Gunnar, shoulders squared and head held high. The dark chamber swallowed her whole, but I knew she wasn't afraid, not of the unknown dangers lurking in the shadows and not of the male who'd just challenged her.
The moment Mirrelle disappeared into the darkness, Gunnar's gaze lingered on the spot where she'd vanished. I couldn't help but frown as his lips slowly curved into a smile. He hummed appreciatively and slapped a hand over his heart, clearly affected by her presence despite their heated exchange.
As much as I wanted to ignore their obvious attraction, it was impossible not to recognize how it added another layer of tension to an already strained situation.
"Keep your hands to yourself, Gunnar.” The animus in my tone was severe.
"My hands and where I choose to put them are none of your concern, nymph" Gunnar snapped, the spell broken. His demeanor shifted in an instant, returning to the antagonism he'd been projecting since our arrival.
"Come on, Raina," Liam said, grasping my arm and pulling me forward. "Let's get this over with."
"Aren't you going to wish us luck?" he asked Gunnar sarcastically, his russet eyes flashing with defiance.
Gunnar chuckled at the question. "Luck won't be enough for what awaits you," he replied. "I'll be back an hour before nightfall. If you make it back to this spot, then perhaps I'll believe you've earned your place among us."
With that ominous warning hanging heavy in the air, he slammed the door shut, leaving us in the dark.
“Your brother is a complete dick,” Mirrelle’s voice echoed from nearby.
Liam huffed. “He is.”
I called a small amount of energy into my hand, just enough to make out our surroundings. “What now, Liam?”
“There,” he pointed behind Mirrelle to a narrow opening in the rock. “It will take us down to where all the fun happens. When it’s over, we climb back up here and wait to be let out.”
Mirrelle sauntered over to us. “And what sort of fun can we expect?”
“It’s different each time. Depends on which of the gods is awake and responsible for deciding our worth.”
A chill traveled up my spine and I lost feeling in my lips.
Mirrelle blinked. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard you correctly because it sounded like you’re saying we’re about to be tortured by an unknown deity.”
“It sounded like it because that’s what’s about to happen. The longer we stand here, the worse it will be. They don’t like waiting.”
I had to force my mouth to work. “Liam.”
“They won’t kill us, Raina.”
“How certain of this are you?”
“I’m positive. Now get moving, both of you.”
“Motherfuckers need to be more motherfucking transparent,” Mirrelle mumbled, moving quickly and taking the lead.
Liam slid in front of me saying, “The order we enter doesn’t matter, but maybe ask your friend to stop calling the gods motherfuckers, just in case.”
Mirrelle’s face was cast in a red glow from her eyes as she twisted around. “That was for your brother. And your father. But mostly your brother.”
“Sounds about right,” he agreed. “Carry on, then.”
The tunnel, dimly lit by our magics, wound deeper and deeper under the surface of Ephandor. The temperature had lowered a while back, but held steady at a comfortable level. For me, at least.
Liam wouldn’t lead us to our deaths, that much I could trust. My resolve solidified, refusing to let fear of the unknown take a crack at me.
If only I could ditch the worry over whatever Mirrelle was about to endure on my behalf.
"Careful here," she called back, her voice laced with a hint of mischief despite the grim atmosphere. "Wouldn't want to lose our footing and tumble into the abyss. Hate to steal the gods’ opportunity to do it themselves."
"Very reassuring, Mirrelle," I muttered, rolling my eyes at her attempt to lighten the mood.
"Can't help it," she replied with a shrug. "I thrive in adversity."
“No, friend, you thrive making fun of it.”
“That, too.”
"Thriving or not, we need to focus," Liam interjected, his gaze fixed ahead. "We’re almost there."
Exiting the passage, Mirrelle gave an appreciative whistle. “Cozy,” she joked.
The cavern was massive, with jagged rock walls that stretched up into darkness. Strange crystalline formations jutted out in places, emitting an eerie glow that provided the only natural light.
Stalactites hung randomly from the presumably high ceiling, like daggers poised to fall. The sound of running water echoed through the empty space.
A massive bronzed gate loomed ahead. We approached and I could make out ancient runes etched into its surface, glinting in the dim light.
Liam placed his hand upon one of the runes and spoke words in a language I did not understand. Apparently, I couldn’t have done this in his place. With a great groan, the gate slowly swung open.
A current of magic blew past us, hot and damp like a giant had just exhaled. Or a god.
Half of me wished we had more information about what lay ahead. The other half knew it wouldn’t change anything.
"Any last-minute advice?" Mirrelle asked Liam.
"Trust yourself. Trust your instincts. Both of you." Liam crossed the barrier, popping out of existence.
Mirrelle shot me a sideways glance, one eyebrow quirked up, before following behind. A heartbeat and she was gone.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the gate.