Page 81 of Night Meets the Elf Queen (The Elf Queen #4)

“The immortal blade and Katana, for yours and Valeen’s immortality,” Pricilla said.

“That’s a simple request. Soulender doesn’t belong to you.

If Valeen had given us the sword two thousand years ago, as was required, none of this would have ever happened.

You don’t need to keep dying for this weapon. ”

Thunder cracked to the west drawing Hel’s gaze to the dark clouds rolling in. It would rain soon. “I will see my immortality and Valeen’s before any agreement is made.”

“I thought you might say that. After you killed my son, I had to place them somewhere safer. I could have let you keep destroying your own chances of ever being a god again but?—”

“You need the bargaining chips.” And she knew Hel and Valeen would have nothing to lose and burn everything down if theirs were gone forever.

Thunder rolled quietly. Birds took flight from the trees.

Hel glanced back, searching among the woods for a sign of Thane and the dragons.

They were well hidden if they were here.

His stomach began to knot. If Thane didn’t show or the dragons refused because of the pale ones, he was on his own against three gods.

“I have the authority to give them to you, if you agree, but you must agree.”

He glanced at Atlanta. The prick was practically foaming at the mouth. “Katana isn’t mine to give?—”

“Without your protection, she won’t have a choice,” Atlanta snapped. “Just don’t interfere when I come for her.”

“As I said, I won’t agree to anything until I see my immortality.”

“Yours and Valeen’s immortality is safe, I give you my word,” Pricilla said.

“Your word isn’t enough.”

“They are hidden inside my vault. I’d have to go inside.”

“I’ll wait.” He held his arms out and glanced back at the pale ones. They raised swords, howled and jumped, ready to be unleashed. “But I would hurry. They’re getting restless.”

“Restless to die? My archers and dragons will destroy them.”

“We’ll see.”

“So we are clear, I get your immortality, and you’ll give us Soulender?” She grinned, eyes going wider with greed. Except for a few moments, she hadn’t taken her gaze off of it since he’d taken it out.

“You will get this sword when mine and Valeen’s immortality is in my hands.” He held up the golden blade. “But I want my wife’s land returned to her as well, and your oath that Soulender will not be used against Valeen, War, or myself.”

“I never thought I’d see the day that you broke down and learned your lesson. Especially that stubborn wife of yours. A primordial really should know better. It isn’t that hard, is it? To simply know when you’re beaten.”

Hel had to push down the fire boiling in his chest. “Enough of your gloating, do you agree or not?”

“I agree. I swear on my position as head of the council—neither you, nor Valeen, or War, will be harmed or killed by an immortal weapon as long as I—or a member of the council—hold it. And Valeen is entitled to House of Night. The other primordials would ensure that even if I didn’t.

” The little smirk at the corner of her mouth almost drove him to madness.

“And Katana?” Atlanta asked.

He shrugged. “If you expect me to go fetch her for you, you’re sorely mistaken. If you want her, get her yourself.” He was betting on the hope that Valeen and Katana had their wall up before he could try.

“Does Valeen know you’re here?” Pricilla eyed him suspiciously. “I hear you’ve reconciled, even after the betrayal that ruined you. But she always said she would never give up Soulender.”

“I think my holding this sword is proof enough she changed her mind, and she’s elsewhere because it would be stupid to have all three of us here for you to kill should things go sour.” Hel tapped his temple. “Someone has to keep our memories.”

Pricilla cackled. “A tragedy really, to forget each other over and over. But it had to be done. Two thousand years later and this can finally end. Marvelous.” She clasped her hands tighter and let out a quiet squeal.

Hel didn’t let his anger show, kept his expression bored. “My army is ready should you try anything.”

Pricilla’s lip curled in disgust at the pale ones lined up behind him. “You will wait here, and when the exchange is made, you will leave, but we will need to destroy these creatures. The council cannot allow them to exist any longer.”

Hel nodded, glancing over at Mathekis, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“He lives.”

“Then more will be created.”

“He won’t turn anyone else, and if he does, I will personally kill them both.”

“We cannot allow the risk.”

“You will.”

She sneered and turned her mount, while Atlanta and Alehelm stayed behind. This will be an awkward few minutes. Might as well make it interesting. “So, given that Katana is utterly in love with someone else, I think it’s safe to say she is no longer interested in being married to you.”

“That didn’t stop you,” Atlanta sneered.

“Well, I didn’t beat my wife. In fact, I worship her, as a husband should. Usually with my tongue.”

Atlanta’s nose scrunched in distaste. “Gods don’t worship their wives, even if they are primordial goddesses. You’re pathetic, Zaurahel, and always have been.”

“Must we resort to childish banter to pass the time? Because if we are, I’d bet money you stood by like a coward while Synick murdered Katana, too afraid to step in.

” Atlanta’s aquamarine eyes flashed, brightening with his magic.

“Oh, I’ve struck a nerve. Or maybe you were in on it with him.

You grew tired of her complaints of you being unfaithful.

She didn’t like you fucking anything with tits and threatened to leave. ”

“You know nothing. Valeen has poisoned your mind with this lie about Synick.”

“She didn’t have to. Katana herself said he did it.”

“I didn’t even know an immortal weapon existed, no one did until she died.”

“So you did stand by and watch.”

“Synick is my friend. He swore he didn’t do it.”

A tingle of alarm slithered down Hel’s spine. He’d checked on Synick before he left, the prick was still in the cell, still as pathetic as ever, dirty, rotting. “Is?”

“ Was ,” Atlanta corrected, but his temperament cooled too quickly. “With Katana alive again it has put my mind back to that time.”

He knows Synick is alive… he couldn’t speak to Valeen’s mind while they were in different realms; the connection was too far.

“Time is different as a god. It’s meaningless,” Alehelm added, lifting his chin proudly.

“Nobody invited you to join this conversation Alehelm.”

“I am a second-generation god, I will not be told what to do by you, a disgraced elf who keeps monsters as company.” He looked at Mathekis with disgust.

“Why don’t you go crush some grapes with your feet and shove a few up your asshole while you’re at it. You’re no warrior, you shouldn’t even be here.” He gestured toward Mathekis. “He would best you in combat easily.”

His face reddened with each passing moment. “I wouldn’t be beaten by that thing, ” he retorted, pulling an axe from his back.

“Don’t.” Atlanta’s hand shot toward his companion as he glared.

“This weasel deserves to die. He’s a disgrace to the gods. We should not be making deals with him.”

“You will hold your axe and do nothing, Alehelm. Pricilla has made an agreement.”

“Go ahead and take a swing.” Hel smiled, enraging Alehelm further. “Give me a reason to kill you.”

“No!” Atlanta’s voice deepened. “You will hold your ground, Alehelm, no matter what he says. Pricilla was right, we can’t let his games get into our heads.” He turned back to Hel. “When I come for Katana, you need to keep your wife and cousin in line too.”

Hel chuckled. “I said if you wanted her to go get her. Not that I would help you. The god of war does what he pleases, and I never agreed to keep my wife out of anything, I can’t speak for her.”

“That’s your problem. You have no control of her. It’s the reason there was ever war in the first place, it’s the reason she was fucking your cousin. If you’d kept your bitch in line, you wouldn’t be here.”

Heat boiled up from his core and he had to force his magic down.

“Call her that again.” He glared at him.

“Go ahead. Do it.” He gripped his weapon tighter and moved enough that Atlanta would see it as a threat.

The prick’s mouth stayed shut. “Like I said, you’re a coward.

Only a coward would be threatened enough by his wife to beat her and diminish her to keep her in line .

” He turned Starborn and tipped his chin to Atlanta.

“As pleasant as your company is, I’ll wait with my army for Pricilla’s return. ”

He kicked him into a trot and searched the woods for a sign of Thane. He could send someone back to warn Valeen and Katana about Atlanta and his possible alliance with Synick. He couldn’t figure out how Atlanta knew, but he did… but why hadn’t he set him free?

“Lord.” Mathekis rode loyally beside him. “Is the plan the same? I’m surprised you didn’t say ‘no’ about the other goddess since she is your wife’s sister.”

“I didn’t expect Atlanta to be here. And I couldn’t say ‘no’. Had I said ‘no’ Atlanta would have stopped the negotiation. Once the exchange is made, we retreat to the woods and hold there. But right now, you need to go to Thane and tell him to have someone get a message to Valeen and Katana.”

Hel stopped Starborn at the front of the line of pale ones and turned to find Atlanta was gone.