Page 130 of Fallen Gods

Wait.

Not love.

I mean…

Did I really just think that?

Aric tilts his head. “You’re blushing again.”

“Am I?” I touch my cheeks with the backs of my hands. “Just kind of hot.”

He holds out his hand. I grab it immediately.

“It’s fine, I’m fine, not bleeding to death over here,” Reeve grumbles. “Shit, can nobody take a joke anymore?”

“No,” we say in unison.

I start tugging Aric toward the door. “Let’s head back.”

“Yeah.” Reeve lets out a rough exhale. “You guys go, just leaveme here to fix my face. Shit, this is going to mess with my costume for the fun tonight.”

“Costume?” I ask. “Fun?”

“Yes, fun. The Wild Hunt,” Reeve clarifies. “Cosplay. Though now I’m thinking Aric should have gone as a boxer. Shit, that hurt.”

Aric ignores him and groans. “I forgot about the costumes.”

“Biggest event of the year,” Reeve continues. “How could you forget the costumes?” He turns back to me. “It’s a party and feast with rich alumni, parents, and lots of hidden alcohol. What’s not to love? Plus, you know how Sigurd looks forward to releasing the fucking ravens.”

My entire body goes numb. This is new information. “Sigurd releases ravens?”

The Release of the Ravens. If it’s anything like Odin’s Wild Hunt, that would be a total death wish.Odinreleases the ravens.Odinstarted the Hunt, and now Sigurd is shitting all over it.

It all clicks. This is why Father gave me a week to find Mjölnir. The runes will be down—he’ll be able to walk right onto campus and claim the weapon in the most dramatic, devastating way possible, reclaiming the Wild Hunt—and the Nine Realms—as his own.

He’s been planning this since he learned where the Eriksons were keeping Mjölnir a year ago. And I’m just a pawn on his board.

“Ah, Rey.” Footsteps echo as the man in question makes his way into the kitchen. I feel Aric tense next to me. “Parents are, of course, always welcome at our Hunt. I do hope Odin stops by to say hello. It’s been what? Two years since the broken engagement?”

He does a double take at Reeve and then glares at Aric. “You boys get in a fight?”

“A fight means it’s evenly matched.” Aric rolls his eyes.“Weaker link over there can barely take a punch.”

Sigurd smirks. “Yes, well, he’s more of a talker than a fighter.”

Reeve’s eyes narrow.

I’m too focused on the Hunt to be amused.

In fact, I think I’m going to be sick.

“So.” He nods at me. “Your father?”

“He’s pretty busy these days.” The lie falls so flat, I want to disappear into the ground. “And yeah, about two years since you two connected.” My hands are in fists at my side.

“Yes.” Sigurd’s glare intensifies. “Water under the bridge and all that. Did you decide on your costume yet?”

“I didn’t really bring anything, so…”