Chapter 25
VALEEN
T he sun crested over the horizon while Valeen rolled the metal throwing star between her fingers, and Piper drew back an arrow.
Valeen thought if they did something they used to do together, Piper might warm up to her again.
Ever since she’d returned with her memories her friend avoided her.
They hadn’t even had a conversation other than a few words shared here or there when necessary.
The arrow cut through the air with a whistle and embedded into the center of the red target. “Nice shot,” Valeen said.
“Thanks.” Piper pulled another arrow and knocked it back. Her irritation was obvious simply by the way she jerked on the bow.
“Are you nervous to go to Ryvengaard again and see Prince Ronan?”
“Not really.” The arrow hit its mark again. “Did you ask me out here for small talk or was there an actual reason?”
Valeen pressed her lips together and threw her star into the target dummy.
It was painted white to look like a pale one and even had a tuft of white horsehair sticking out the top of the head.
“I can’t ask my friend to do something with me?
We used to do this all the time and didn’t need a reason . ”
“That was before.” She dropped the bow to her side.
“Before what? I want to make sure we’re good before you leave. I don’t know when I’ll see you again.”
“It would have been nice if you had given me that courtesy before you left with Hel months ago.”
“Thane told me to go, Piper. I was—heartbroken.”
“Well, that got cured rather quickly.”
“Don’t do that. It’s not fair.”
“What isn’t fair? That after everything Hel did to us and to Palenor, you chose him over Thane!
I can’t even fathom it. You broke Thane in a way no one ever could have.
Sure, he puts on a good face, but you didn’t see him after you left, and you haven’t been there for him like I have after you crushed him. ”
“I never wanted to do that, Piper.” She could see Thane’s hurt.
The way they interacted changed immensely but she didn’t know how to make him feel better.
It wasn’t as if she could console him when she was the reason he was hurting.
And she didn’t dare risk getting too close or she’d hurt Hel.
“It wasn’t a decision you could ever understand. You don’t know Hel like I do.”
“I know enough about him to know he is a terrible person.” Piper pinned her with a glare.
“And I know Thane. I know how much he adored you and how much he sacrificed for you even when you were awful to him. And nothing that happened in the past could excuse Hel creating the pale one curse and not to mention the way he treated you. I was there during your training, and he was even worse to Thane.”
She had points. Valeen would give her that.
But Hel thought he’d been betrayed by the people he loved most. Thane had sacrificed more than she deserved, and a part of her was broken for walking away from him.
He was good and frankly deserved better than her.
Even as Layala they’d been at odds in one way or another.
First about being forced into a mate bond and arranged marriage, then discrepancies over what to do about his father.
One thing she knew for sure was that Hel wouldn’t have had an inner conflict over what to do with Tenebris after the things he’d done to Layala: killing her parents, trapping her in a tower to starve.
He wouldn’t have even hesitated to take him down, father or not.
And someone better than her wouldn’t have asked Thane to kill his own father…
“He didn’t create the pale one curse on purpose. Yes, he made loyalty to him a clause in his spells, but the curse was an unforeseen consequence of magic.”
“And that makes it better? You fought them. You almost turned into one! The white streak still in your hair is proof of that, and it’s all his fault.”
Valeen tried to understand where she was coming from by putting herself in Piper’s place.
Hating Hel was reasonable and warranted.
She couldn’t begrudge her for it. “I know that, but do you know why he did it in the first place? He did it for me. And Thane. He did it so he would have an army on his side to fight when we need them. If the person you loved was killed over and over and you were doomed to keep forgetting each other, wouldn’t you be a little unhinged?
And if you thought your own cousin, your brother took your wife from you, would you not be bitter?
No, Hel is not Thane. Hel is not perfect, nor does he share all our morals, but he will do anything for those he loves, and I do mean anything . ”
With a heavy sigh, Piper tore her gaze away. “I wish I could understand but I just don’t.”
“You don’t need to understand because he is the love of my life. He is my soulmate, not yours.”
Piper turned to her with glittering eyes. “You were supposed to be our queen. You are Lady Lightbringer… You were supposed to be Queen of Palenor. Once you get what you want you will forget all about this place for your new home and leave us… forever.”
Valeen’s chest tightened. That struck her harder than she thought it would.
She let out a slow breath, forcing her own tears back, swallowing the lump in her throat.
“I am Queen of Villhara, goddess of night, but I am Lady Lightbringer too. I will always be your friend, Piper. I will never forget this place or you.”
Piper suddenly threw her arms around Valeen.
It felt completely out of character, and at first Valeen stiffened but then she wrapped her arms around her friend.
Her quiet sobs brought more tears to Valeen’s eyes.
“I thought you were gone,” Piper whispered.
“I thought we lost you . I thought the part of you that I knew, the part of you that is Layala was gone. When I first met you, I never thought we’d be friends but you’re one of the people I care most about. ”
“You didn’t lose me, Piper.” A tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m still the stubborn elf you know and love.”
“The stubborn part I don’t love so much.” They both laughed and Piper pulled back, wiping under her eyes. “And I lied. I’m so nervous about going back to Ryvengaard I want to throw up. Especially with Fennan going.” She shoved her hands into her hair. “What am I going to do?”
“I think you’re going to have to make the choice on who you want to try a relationship with.”
“But what if Ronan just wants a fun roll in the sack and that’s all? Fennan said he wants to marry me.”
Valeen grinned. “When did he say he wanted to marry you? Did he get down on a knee and propose?”
Piper giggled and slowly shook her head.
“It was while you were gone with Hel. He got ahold of one of my letters from Ronan and read it. Don’t get me started because I was so angry with him for it.
But no, it wasn’t an official proposal. He said ‘you can’t be serious about this dragon bastard.
I want to be the one to marry you, Piper. You’re supposed to be with me.’”
“And what did you say?”
“I told him he was an asshole for going through my personal things and to stay out of my business or get out of my life.”
Valeen bit down on her lip to try and not laugh but it burst out. “Holy All Mother, Piper. You’re ruthless. And you thought I was mean.”
“It’s not mean after he snuck into my room and went through my drawers!”
“The elf you loved for years said he wanted to marry you!”
“I thought we solved this dilemma months ago,” Hel said, popping in.
He plucked up one of the arrows and with the snap of his fingers had Piper’s bow in his hands.
“The dragon prince, obviously.” He had the arrow knocked and released in mere seconds.
He hadn’t even taken the time to set up the shot and still hit dead center.
“Well, I didn’t ask for your opinion, did I?” Piper snapped. “You’re the last person I’d get relationship advice from.”
Hel smirked. “Oh Red, it’s alright to admit you have feelings for me. I am the darkness that tickles most females’ fantasies whether they admit it or not.” He cupped the side of his mouth and leaned closer and hooked his thumb toward Valeen, “Just be careful, this one gets jealous easily.”
“I’d rather stab my eye with a hot poker than have feelings for you other than loathing, you sick bastar?—”
Hel snapped his fingers, and no sound came out of her mouth. “There’s only one person in existence I’ve ever allowed to call me names and get away with it and that’s not you. I’d rethink what you want to say next.” He snapped his fingers again. “Maybe we should call a truce for Val’s sake.”
Piper narrowed her eyes at him. “Fine. But I’m never going to trust you.”
“I wouldn’t trust me if I was you either. I really don’t have the best record.” He took out a civar and put it to his lips. “I hope you’re prepared to do what you need to to secure this alliance with the dragons.”
Valeen crossed her arms. “What does that mean?”
“It means don’t give him the goods until he’s begging for it, then still deny him but tease. Tease the idea of it until that’s all he thinks about. Assuming his parents approve that is. You’ll get a ring, and we’ll get our alliance. You realize that’s what needs to happen right?”
Piper rolled her eyes.
“I’m serious. Marriages have been used to tether and secure alliances throughout history. Thane should offer his sister, but you seem to be the one the dragon wants. We need them.”
Even if his delivery was crass, he was right. They needed the dragons for this war. “There are other ways if that’s not what you want, Piper. You would likely have to live among the dragons, and it wouldn’t be temporary.”
Piper tapped her boot. “No, he’s right. There might not be a Palenor left if we don’t get the dragons with us. If I need to marry him, I will. I’ll do what I need to do.”