CHAPTER 28
Frankie
The path winds through scorched terrain, ash collecting in the cracks.
I expect silence, or maybe a few curt words reminiscent of seasoned warriors.
But the moment their weapons are secure, their whole energy flips.
Laughter and chatter busts out of them at once.
One nudges another with her elbow. Someone snorts.
It’s not long before Jess joins in. Of course it’s the most natural thing in the world for her.
I try to smile here and there, but their words keep looping in my head, the same ones Theia used in the portal.
I guess I can’t pretend it isn’t real anymore, but how can I be related to a Goddess?
If I have valkyrie blood in me, wouldn’t I be able to summon my light magic more easily?
Zarreth’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “What happened to you in there?”
I lift my head and find him already watching me.
He’s been doing that since we started walking, staying close and reaching for me when the ground shifts.
It’s probably because we were separated going through the portal.
Still, the way he’s watching me feels different, like he’s making sure I’m really here.
I wish he’d stop. I’m perfectly capable of standing on my own two feet, although I do feel a little lightheaded. Not that I’d ever tell him that. I shift my attention to the path ahead, like it’s suddenly fascinating. “I’ll tell you when we’re someplace more private.”
He nods, giving my hand a gentle squeeze, and I’m grateful for his patience. I’m not ready to share what Theia told me, not yet. Being related to a Goddess is one thing, but when he finds out the rest…I’m scared. It could either make us, or break us.
The path carries us to the brink of the mountain, the world suddenly opening wide beneath our feet.
I inhale sharply, taking in the valley below.
It shimmers in soft color, flowers that look like they’re spun of glass, trees with crystal bark and translucent leaves.
I spot a waterfall scattering light like broken glass.
It’s ruined in some places, charred patches and cracks throughout the land, but it’s still breathtaking.
Someone steps beside me. I glance over to find a pair of sapphire eyes looking over the scene in front of us. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” she asks, silver hair catching the light. She barely reaches my shoulders, but I bet she could snap me in half if she wanted to.
I nod. “Yeah, it’s more than I could ever imagine.”
Her fangs catch the light, smiling like she’s seeing it for the first time. The silence stretches, peaceful for once, until my brain can’t take it anymore. I have to ask. “So…what are you? Fae?”
She goes completely still, and something inside of me cowers. Her eyes burn into me until I’m trapped in their stare. “How dare you insult me?”
I take a step back. What’d I say? “I’m sorry…I just thought with the pointed ears and all…”
“Heeere we go.” The golden-haired one appears beside us, her hand on the other’s shoulder, holding her back.
“Of course you would think that. You’re a close-minded mortal.
” The one I offended steps closer. “Most of you are so self-centered you don’t realize other realms exist besides yours.
My name is Brynn the Brave, named after my great-grandmother, Brinhild the Brave, the most courageous valkyrie ever known to all the realms.”
“Oh, puhleeze!” The other breaks into a fit of laughter. “No one calls you Brynn the Brave, so stop with that already.”
The one called Brynn hisses at the other and, before I know it, they’re a blur of chaos. I don’t know what’s happening until they stop moving, Brynn’s arm bent in an unusual position behind her back.
“Say mercy, say mercy.” The one with golden hair flashes me a smile as she wrenches Brynn’s elbow further up.
Brynn finally jerks away, quickly slamming her elbow into the other’s nose and snickers. “Mercy”
I glance up at Zarreth, who was at my side before the fight even broke out. “Have you ever seen anything like them?” I can’t believe these were the same warriors who had us surrounded not too long ago.
He shakes his head. “I haven’t, but I’m not very familiar with the Light Realm other than what’s in the scripts.”
“My name is Kara,” the golden-haired one says as she wipes the back of her hand over her nose. “And you are not that far off, despite what my sister says.” She glares at Brynn “We are falkyrie.”
Wait, what did she say? I swear I heard an F, but didn’t Theia say valkyrie? “Did you say falkyrie with an F?”
Brynn rolls her eyes and huffs. “Yes, Fffalkrie, with an F as in foreskin.”
Kara giggles. “Hehe…foreskin.”
There is no way these creatures could possibly be related to the valkyrie I read about in the library. Maybe the version we saw when we first came through the portal, yes, but now? They’re more like crazed little fairies. These guys make Jess and I look like mature, sophisticated aristocrats.
Zarreth stills, his eyes going wide. “You are falkyrie? The Guardians of Eternal Light? We thought your kind died when the valkyrie did.”
Brynn raises her chin, somehow managing to look down at him even though he towers over her. “Your kind thinks a lot of ridiculous things; doesn’t mean it’s true.”
She continues down the path, obviously done with the conversation. We all fall in step behind her. The ground levels out, but Jess still struggles. Graven slips an arm around her waist without a word, keeping her steady. They’re quiet for once, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing.
Something moves ahead, too fast to get a clear view. Zarreth shoves me behind him, his hands already covered in flames. The faint outline of Graven’s shield shimmers while he draws his sword. “Fuck!” he mumbles quietly.
“Stay behind me, Frankie! At least until we know what the fuck is making that sound.” I peer out from behind Zarreth’s back, barely able to make out low gurgling sounds.
Soon, a dozen creatures come crawling out of the woods.
Their eyes are red, skin is burnt, and their odor is unbearable.
My stomach lurches, but I manage to unsheathe my sword without getting sick.
They all stop at the same time, their heads turning in unison as they take us in.
“Playtime’s over,” Brynn shouts. “Beasts inbound.”
The valkyrie…falkyrie—whatever they call themselves— instantly shift into the warriors we first met. Spears spin to ready positions, lightning striking from the tips. The beasts charge straight for us. Some leap as high as buildings, some crawl on all fours, but they’re all fast.
“They don’t stay dead,” Kara shouts. “We just need to slow them down so we can get away.” She runs forward, her spear steady, when Zarreth releases his fire.
Flames eat through them before they can scream. Their bodies never touch the ground as they turn to ash. Everyone pauses. The lightning fades from the tip of Kara’s spear as she looks at Zarreth. “Guess I was wrong. Can’t imagine anything coming back from that.”
Brynn lowers her spear and opens her mouth to speak, but another falkyrie scoffs, shoving her weapon into the dirt. “Thanks a lot, demon. Maybe next time you could save some for the rest of us.” She storms past him, eyes narrowed in his direction the entire time.
Brynn shakes her head, glaring as she walks by. The other falkyrie follow suit, mumbling about manners and learning how to share.
Kara glances at him, her mouth twitching. “You’re not making any friends that way, demon.” She turns on her heels and follows the others.
I glance at Zarreth, the last of the fire fading from his hands. Are we the villains or the heroes here?
“Weird little creatures,” I mutter.
He lets out a low laugh. “Careful, little mate. They might hear you.”