Chapter Sixty-Eight
Rey
When I get back from the dining hall later, Aric is gone. But he tucked a handwritten note underneath my door.
Sigurd has me helping set up for the Hunt. Be back as soon as I can.
I shoot him a quick text.
Me: Hope it’s going well
Giant Asshole: I’m forced to work alongside a clown who keeps juggling hammers. My brother’s an idiot.
My stomach clenches.
Me: That he is. See you soon?
I debate saying more. It doesn’t seem fair to deliver the kind of news I need to via text.
Giant Asshole: Yeah, got your costume, I’ll bring it over later.
Me: Cool
I want to type I love you. I don’t. Instead I just stare at my terrible “Cool” response and let out a groan.
I glance at the clock beside my bed. Almost two p.m. The Hunt doesn’t begin until sundown, but I feel like I’m running out of time. This is it.
Tonight…it ends.
There’s a sharp knock at my door, and I open it to find Rowen there. His hair’s a mess, and his ever-present suit jacket is gone. He still wears a dress shirt, but a few buttons are open at the top and his sleeves are rolled up.
“Hey,” he starts, lingering in the hallway.
“You obviously came here for a reason, Rowen. You might as well come in.”
His face says it all—I’m angry, I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say.
Yeah. Same.
Though I’m not really angry with him. He’s just another victim in this war. Same as me. Another pawn in Odin’s game.
Rowen comes in and closes my door. He’s carrying a small red gift bag.
“Where’s Eira?” I ask.
“Getting ready for the Hunt. Something about smoky makeup and a proper blowout. She’s been at it for hours.” He shrugs. “At least she ignores me enough that I can do what I prefer doing when I’m on campus.”
“What’s that?”
His eyes flicker to mine. “Watch you. Protect you. Keep my only friend safe.” His smile’s warm. “Take your pick.”
I walk toward him, and he envelops me in a hug that I can tell we both sorely need.
“I’ll always be here for you,” he whispers. “You can trust me.”
I want to believe that.
I frown and stare down at his arm. The pain there radiates off his skin and into mine. The anger is there, too, only dimmer now, the rage seemingly replaced by a new, crushing emotion: regret.
He shifts in my hold, and it’s almost like the scars falter and shimmer. I do a double take. For the first time since I’ve known him, it almost looks like two runes intertwined. How have I never noticed it before? Or is it because he’s never let me look this close?
“Your scars,” I murmur, and he goes still. “They almost look like a combination of Laguz and Berkano, the ones you have on your door back home.” I smile. “I guess I never noticed before?”
Rowen slowly pulls his sleeves down. “You know your father—he thinks using the power of runes is beneath him, but these serve our purpose. You’re part God, so you see me clearly. But these runes…they make me look different to the outside world.”
He rakes back the strands of hair that fell out of his bun. “Speaking of runes, though.” Rowen shifts away and lifts the bag. “I was going to give you this on your birthday,” he says quietly. “Then everything happened, and it just…” His eyes flick to mine. “Now feels right.”
When I don’t immediately grab it, maybe because I’m surprised and not used to gifts, he digs in and pulls out a thin chain, the silver catching the dim light in the room. Dangling from the chain is a small carved rune.
“Tiwaz,” he explains, pressing it into my palm. “The warrior’s rune. It means honor, sacrifice, victory bought with blood. Tyr’s rune. I figured you’d appreciate that—fighting battles you didn’t ask for, carrying more than anyone should.”
My throat tightens. It’s in the shape of an upward arrow. The metal is cool against my skin. “I don’t get gifts a lot.” He knows that.
“You’ve felt alone,” he continues, “but you’re not. Not anymore. I’ll be by your side, Rey—always. Even if it means watching you hold hands with a Giant.”
A burst of laughter escapes me. “Dramatic much?”
“Maybe,” he admits with a small smile. He clasps the chain behind my neck, fingers brushing the back of my skin. “But you deserve someone who doesn’t walk away. Not ever.”
I think of Aric. “Thank you.”
He nods. “Maybe I’ll see you for dinner. Keep it on. It makes me feel better. Runes are powerful, and tonight, the ones at Endir will be down.”
“Right.” I nod. “All the wards are gone tonight.”
“Except yours.” He smiles. “So basically, don’t die.”
I give him another small hug. “I’ll do my best.”