Chapter Fifty-Eight
Eldrick
Eldrick shook Alpha Lindstrom’s and Alpha Alland’s hands as they committed their support to his Earl vote.
In the corner, Johannes and Skau sneered.
Guests of the Dísablót Festival, Eldrick had sought them out first, and as the two males walked away, Eldrick found himself relishing in triumph.
Though it was a mere verbal promise and not voting day, Eldrick was one step closer to earning the Earl vote and protecting the Vadon Mountains from Bjorn’s personal agenda.
Spheres of blown glass—greens, blues, and whites—hung all throughout the Drabek Village.
Enchanted light glowed from within them, creating the effect of fallen stars.
A garland of snowdrop flowers weaved into pine branches lined a long table.
A smoked venison sat at the center surrounded by a few roasted ducks, flaky meat pies, glazed vegetables, and bowls of spiced wine Eldrick knew better than to drink unless he wished for a mind-numbing headache for the next two days.
Small fires dotted the outskirts, winterberry incense sweetening the air, and laughter and song traveled on the wind, warming Eldrick’s insides.
The infectious joy of the festival seeped into his skin, and he inhaled the hope Ragna and Asa had mentioned. Tonight was a peaceful reminder of what they all fought for—the land, the people, and the light that continued to outshine the curse.
“Stars above,” Leif whistled. “Are you actually enjoying yourself?”
Eldrick rolled his eyes, but offered his new friend a small smile. “I know how to have fun, Leif.”
The alpha snorted. “Fooled me with how high-strung you are.”
Eldrick opened his mouth to argue, but found no retort. He sighed. “Tonight brings back fond memories.”
Females wore whimsical, airy dresses and crowns made of holly leaves. Hand in hand, they giggled as male werewolves lingered to the side, knuckles white as they held their ale, mustering the courage to ask someone to dance.
Eldrick had been there, beside Kade and Lorkan once—nerves burning through his alcohol before he finished a pint.
Festivals like these had been a night to let loose.
To forget titles and duties. And perhaps have a little fun.
The kind that had him sneaking off into the woods with a lover, naked and breathless under the moonlight.
“I was wrong about the vampyr queen.” Leif kept his attention averted ahead, mapping out the festivities. “I was thrown off after witnessing her wield a blade, but after talking with her today, I’m certain the other alphas are fools not to trust her, and . . .”
Eldrick shifted on uneasy feet. Images of Tovi on her knees flashed across his mind, and their unfinished business left him taut. It was his turn to focus on the dancing crowd, ignoring the itch of Leif’s penetrating stare.
“I think you’re the biggest fool of us all not to love her.”
Eldrick snorted, downing his ale and wishing it was stronger. “Those your wise words, Leif? Love?”
Leif shrugged. “When I met my mate—“
“It isn’t the same,” Eldrick snapped. “Rue is a werewolf. You were both born of the same land and people, while Tovi and I aren’t just from different worlds but different kingdoms. You also said it yourself: we’re up against centuries’ worth of prejudice. It would never work.”
Leif studied him. “How you do know for certain?”
Eldrick didn’t, and the cold, harsh realization had his inner wolf’s hackles rising. Had he and Tovi even given themselves a chance? But deep down, Eldrick feared it wasn’t him holding back, but her. Did she even care to try? Did she love him like he loved her?
Eldrick shook his head, the questions leaving him off-balance.
“I’m a leader, Leif,” he said. “Sometimes what I want doesn’t matter.”
Leif nodded. “Perhaps you’re sacrificing the wrong thing. Don’t forget that rightness I mentioned earlier. My soul sings for both these lands and my mate. Can you say the same?”
The alpha walked off, leaving Eldrick to stew on his parting words. No, the answer flushed through him. He glanced up at the glowing spheres, latching onto one and wishing upon its power like it were a true star.
It was foolish and useless, but he dared to imagine a different time, an alternate universe where the curse didn’t exist. What if relations between werewolves and vampyrs were peaceful?
What if he and Tovi met at a festival like this?
Not as a queen or alpha, but simply two beings drawn to the other where they could dance with friends and wander off and get lost to the tastes and sounds of the other.
But what of his parents? What of the sacrifices they made for werewolves? Was he lesser of a leader because temptation crept through him? Would his inability to squash want lead him to fail his people?
An indescribable sensation yanked at Eldrick’s heart. He snapped his attention east.
There. With shoulders back and proud, laughing over something Yennifer whispered in her ear, Tovi entered the festival with an arm linked through the archer’s.
An emerald velvet dress enveloped the dips and curves of Tovi’s tantalizing frame, bare feet already muddied from the village’s roads.
The neckline ran straight across her chest, revealing her collarbone and slender neck.
The moon and its phases were sewn onto the bodice with silver twine, drawing out the snowy white of her hair, which was braided and pulled to the side, as button-like silver beads dotted each knot.
Stars above, Eldrick took back his wish.
He would never regret how they had begun—at the Shield-Maiden, discussing blueberry ale.
It had been messy. Axe drawn, fangs bared.
Eldrick winced at the memory, but he wouldn’t give up the mess to have the easy.
Not when Tovi robbed him of breath and drowned out the sights, sounds, and smells of the festival.
She was a marvel, a woman to be worshiped and celebrated.
She and Yen headed towards Bétar, and the others, and Eldrick lost sight of her. He stood taller, trying to glimpse her snowy hair. Ragna and Asa walked into his line of sight, and Eldrick greeted them with a smile, hiding his earlier intentions.
“You’ve outdone yourselves this year. I believe it’s the grandest in the Vadon Mountains,” he said.
Ragna snorted. “Quit with the flattery, Eldrick. You already secured our vote.”
Asa kissed her mate’s cheek. “Oh, I think he has a point. Your efforts this year are exceptional, love.”
Ragna softened under Asa’s praise. “Fine, I’ll take a compliment from you, but I’m not convinced Eldrick isn’t confusing the beauty of tonight with a particular queen.” She raised a far-too-knowing brow.
Asa hummed. “Actually, speaking of Queen Tovi, now might be a time to tell you our wonderful idea.”
Eldrick’s legs grew restless, his instinct screaming to retreat from their scheming stares.
“There are more”—Ragna leaned closer, voice dropping to a whisper—“official ways to unite the vampyrs and werewolves. A quicker, more formal, political alliance.”
The warmth of the festival vanished, and Eldrick froze in place. “What are you suggesting?”
“Marry her.”
Ragna might as well have punched him in the gut.
“What?” Eldrick hissed. “That’s . . . absurd.”
It wasn’t the thought of marrying Tovi—that wasn’t ridiculous—but using marriage as a political alliance? An arrangement? He shook his head, fighting the bile working in his throat.
“Why not?” Ragna whispered. “You’re clearly both interested in each other. Love would blossom over time—“
“That isn’t the point.” Not that he’d admit his reasoning to Ragna—that was Tovi’s past and wounds.
She owned them, not him, and he’d damn well protect her integrity and secrets.
Eldrick wouldn’t reveal the pain Tovi’s parents caused, and he certainly wouldn’t use her like a pawn like they’d been so inclined to.
Ragna shrugged. “Are you sure? If I recall a line in the prophecy, there’s something about uniting, and what brings two people together more than marriage? Besides, it’s difficult for the other alphas to question your alliance with her when she’s your wife.”
Wife. How could he want something so adamantly and loathe the idea so violently all at the same time?
“I’ve already secured Lindstrom’s and Alland’s votes tonight,” he said through gritted. “I would never marry her.”
“Eldrick, there you are!” Bétar grasped him on the shoulder.
The commander, Yen, and Tovi joined Eldrick and the alphas. Tovi’s hard jade stare pinned Eldrick in place.
Ragna cleared her throat and held her hand out to her mate. “I think it’s time we dance.”
Bétar grabbed Yen by the hips and tugged her close. “Shall we?”
Yennifer laughed into his hold, and the mated couples disappeared into the throngs of dancers, and silence stretched between Eldrick and Tovi as they were left alone.
Werewolves lingered in the corner, eyes drinking in Tovi like they weren’t sure if they wanted to kill her or ask her to dance.
A territorial instinct rose up in Eldrick, and damn him, he had no right, but he stepped closer to her.
Perhaps for tonight, he’d honor what he wanted, and in the morn, refocus on his duty.
“Would you care to dance with me?” Eldrick held out his hand, heart hammering like he was moments away from stepping into battle.
“Yes,” she finally said, placing her hand in his.
Their skin-to-skin contact zapped through Eldrick like a magic.
He swallowed and led them away from the thicket of dancers and to the outskirts, closer to the musicians beating goatskin drums and plucking lyres.
Eldrick pulled Tovi to his chest, and flush against the other, they swayed and stepped side to side.
Tovi peered up at him, and Eldrick down at her, and the festival vanished.
It was just them, dancing in an empty forest, with only the trees to witness their rare gentleness and the sound of their racing hearts as song.