Page 96 of Fallen Gods

“Has a nice ring to it.” He laughs.

“I thought so, too.” I smirk.

“Hey!” Rey yells.

“Anyway,” I continue, “this one makes her way over here, drinks my water out of her weird cat mug, then pins me to my bed and…sleeps.”

“Oh, shesleeps.” Reeve winks. “Got it.”

“No, that’s not code for sex, Reeve. She literally kept me prisoner and slept.”

“Please!” Rey grabs one of my sweatshirts and tugs it on. “Like I’m strong enough to pin you to anything. You’re a Giant!”

Her face pales like she knows she just called me out, but Reeve doesn’t so much as flinch.

He knows I come from a strong bloodline, and that’s all Sigurd has trusted him with. My protection at all costs. It’s a level of secrecy he’s always been fine with, especially since my accident. Reeve isn’t really the type to ponder the mysteries of the world.

I frown. “Yeah, I know I’m pretty tall, but you’re still scrappy and strong, and I may have also fallen asleep. It was a rough night.”

“Unbelievable!” She stomps her foot. “Both of you.” She eyes Reeve, then his coffee. “I’ll just take that and be on my way.”

It’s out of his hands before he can do or say anything. The door slams behind her, leaving me feeling guilty for doing…literally nothing.

Reeve leans against the door. “She pinned you? How, again, did she manage that? I’m genuinely curious, because one six-six guy plus one five-foot-nothing girl? The math isn’t checking out.”

I groan and throw a pillow at him. “She was sleepwalking.”

“Sure.” He nods, but then all the teasing leaves his face. “You going to be okay today? After last night’s storm, I mean.” I don’t answer. He clears his throat and tries again. “So, runes on your back, hmm?”

I nod, unsure of how much to tell him beyond the bare bones I texted him late last night. “You know I have abilities.”

“I know.” He crosses his arms. “Does Sigurd know about…” He nods toward the rumpled bed.

“Sigurd knows I’m playing the long game.” It’s not a total lie.“Sometimes it’s better to keep the enemy close, you know?”

Reeve makes a face. “I don’t think Sigurd meant naked close, but you do you—and her, apparently.”

I glare at him. “It was an accident. But still, what better way to gain the upper hand than get her to trust me with everything—mind, body, soul.” I feel dirty, repulsive saying it, but I can’t trust anyone. Not even myself.

This is the first time I’m doing something on my own, the first time Sigurd is trusting me with something huge since the broken engagement. I’m not going to mess up. Besides, she’s leading me to a very real way to finally kill her father: Mjölnir. We’ll trade a life for a life. His blood will be spilled, as it should have been years ago. I’ll wipe him from this world—just like he wiped out my parents.

This doesn’t go against my truce with Rey. If anything, she should thank me for it.

Reeve sighs and snaps his fingers. “Shirt off. Let’s take a look.”

“You’re not a doctor, and it’s not like I have a disease.” I keep my shirt firmly on.

One eyebrow arches. “Dude, I’m your brother. Color me curious. Plus, not everyone can say their brother can build a snowman out of his ass.”

“I have never once built a snowman out of my ass.”

“Pipe dream.” Reeve winks. “Seriously, show me.”

I sigh, peel off my shirt, and turn. The cold air bites against my skin as I wait.

Silence.

When I glance back at him, his face has gone pale, eyes locked on the runes carved into me like brands. “Interesting mix of runes, Aric. Very interesting mix.”