Page 105 of Fallen Gods

I don’t want this to end.

I want more. Ineedmore.

Abruptly, she pulls away.

And just like that, her shield is back in place. It’s in the angle of her jaw, the stillness in her eyes, the way her shoulders square like she’s preparing to land a hit. So I do the only thing I can. I promptly peel my anger back over my own face, the comfortable, familiar rage that’s been with me so long, it makes moments like the last ones seem like they were never real in the first place. I let it flame until I no longer want to keep her close.

It’s the only way we’re going to get through this unscathed.

So easy to believe, the lies I tell myself.

“Minute’s over,” she whispers.

“Good.”

Rey slowly scoots off me. I get to my feet and walk a few steps away.

I feel her step up next to me.

I wave my hand in front of the ice walls, and they meltinstantly.

“Fourth rune tonight,” I whisper. “What is it? I’ll find it and text you.”

“Othala.”

I don’t cringe, but a sickness curls in my gut right along with a bit of satisfaction. “The rune of bloodline. Inheritance.” I would laugh if I didn’t want to scream into the void. “The fourth rune is one of the most powerful. Sigurd’s afraid to even speak it out loud.”

Her eyes narrow. “How do you know that?”

“Because it’s in his home office.” I rub at my neck, heat from the runes building up my back like they’re ready for more. “And out of all the stories I grew up memorizing, it’s the only one my dad insisted I learn word for word. I think it’s paranoia that Sigurd keeps it…”

“Keeps what?”

“The statue that bears the mark.” I can’t keep the bitterness out of my laugh. “Audhumla. The very cow that allegedly nourished Ymir to life and helped create the Gods. And trust me—it’s the most awkward-looking statue in the world.”

Her mouth parts like she’s about to argue, but then she actually breathes out a sigh of relief.

“It’s also at our house,” I add, “which means we get to put off rune-hunting for a few more days. Sigurd keeps it locked up tight, but he won’t be at the end-of-orientation house party. We’ll see it then.”

Her shoulders sag like maybe she’s relieved. I feel the same way.

I’ve bought us the perfect excuse to stall.

What’s a few more days?

A few more days of lying.

A few more days of believing it’s all going to be okay.

A few more days to pretend.

Chapter Fifty-Three

Aric

I’m still thinking about both my conversation with Rey and our kiss when I get back to my room. I’m not surprised to find Reeve inside, standing in front of the window, looking deep in thought. “Should I be worried?”

Damn, is it really written all over my face?