Page 18 of The Last Valkyrie (Vikingrune Academy #4)

Chapter 18

Corym

WE SPENT THE REST OF the day slogging through the swampy Kiir’luri before reaching the statues of the Twins of Norris’ Pass in the valley north of the forest. Past the forest, plains, and valley, we came upon my city nestled into the side of the mountain.

My heart swelled at seeing the emerald, sapphire, and ruby roofs, the towering marble structures of my people. Last time in Heira’s capital, Alokana, had been a desperate rush to save Anvari from wasting away in Midgard. This time, I could smile upon my homeland with pride.

Golden-armored kinsmen waited for us in ranks along the valley floor, guarding the elevator contraptions leading up to the city. They were stern, serious-faced elves.

They noticed the bevy of wood elves with us and approached with their weapons drawn, leading to some hesitation and a tense moment of the Skogalfar brandishing their own weapons.

Then the light elves recognized me and the front-most soldier saluted. “Company-Prince,” he said with a small bow.

I did not recognize the man, though I knew his station by the patch on his plated shoulder. “You are of Company-Prince Vesryn’s regiment, brother. Where is your commander?”

“ Varus , he is scouting our eastern borders.”

I frowned. “The Eastern Crossing is my usual jurisdiction.”

“You have not been here. Vesryn has taken command of your post in your absence, varus .”

The man was not disrespectful in his tone, yet I noted the hint of contempt he held for me abandoning my post. If only he knew what I’ve been doing to try and keep all of Alfheim safe.

The man cleared his throat and stood a bit straighter. His eyes darted over my shoulder, to Magnus and Chief Jhaeros. “Your business here, varus ?”

“I have come to speak to the Maltor .”

I saw a moment of suspicion on his face, which melted into indecisiveness. “Erm, Prince Corym, you have a human and a Skogalfar at your side.”

“Astute, soldier. I am aware of the company I keep. They are allies.”

“We’ve been directed not to allow anyone foreign to Heira entrance into Alokana. Given the . . . circumstances.”

Magnus asked, “What’s he saying, Corym?”

I grunted. “The circumstances , soldier?”

“You have not heard? The Ferinosk tribe has been getting wily and unmanageable on our eastern flank. It’s why Prince Vesryn is there as we speak.”

I contained my sigh, glancing over at Magnus. “Other Ljosalfar are at war with my people, the Heirans. He doesn’t want to let us in.” Then, to the soldier, I lied, “The Maltor is expecting me. I guarantee what I have to say to him is crucial, not just for Heira but for all of Alfheim.”

The man looked guilty when he droned in a rasping tone. “ Varus . . . ”

I was putting the youngster in a bad position. It couldn’t be helped. Staring down my nose and slightly dipping my chin, I said, “Don’t make this come to a fight. I understand your orders, but I am a Company-Prince, and you will listen to me. Maltor Vaalnath made those orders against the people we are at war with. We are not those people.”

He opened his mouth to argue, some paleness coming to his cheeks—I held up a hand and cut him off. “Do you not remember what I did last time I was here? I brought Anvari back to our golden shores. I brought the Ancient One peace.”

A few soldiers behind the leader saluted, nodding gravely. What Ravinica and the rest of us had done was no small feat, and it was greatly respected among the elves.

Finally, at mention of Elayina, the soldier stepped aside.

When I nodded and moved to pass him, I put a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve done a great service backing down, soldier. I will not forget your loyalty, and I will take full responsibility of my group’s actions inside Alokana.”

He nodded, giving me a clipped, “As you say, varus ,” before letting us pass.

Maltor Vaalnath was a tall, regal elf. Though they looked in their prime, with alabaster skin that radiated a golden sheen, and braids of pure silver reaching down to the small of their back of their long red robes, Vaalnath was centuries old. One of our eldest statespeople, the ruler of the Nation of Heira.

I gave my liege a proper salute, kneeling and touching my forehead to the glassy floor of the assembly room before getting to my feet. “Father,” I said in a reverent tone. “It has been too long.”

I would always be attached to Vaalnath through my name. I called them “Father” because I was born from their seed, rather than “Mother” from being born from their womb. That small difference would have called me a Court-Prince, and my entire life would have been different. I would have been doted on as a whelp, rather than rushed into training of war and alchemy at Brightdawn Academy.

It was no secret Company-Princes and Court-Princes—male, female, and in’kylin alike—did not hold each other in the highest regard. That was why the womb-born Princes stayed in court, while the cock-born Princes went to fight the Maltor’s battles.

Vaalnath glided toward me from their seat, over an ornamental blue carpet as if their feet did not touch the ground.

I was an inch or two taller than them, with their pretty, androgynous face twisting into a shining smile. Vaalnath typically wore their elegant hair in many styles, to denote how they wished to be perceived that particular day. Today, they had a stately male bent to their clean face and sharp features.

They took my cheeks in their hands, planting a kiss to my forehead. “My fair son, returned to me. I am grateful for what you did for Lady Elayina. She was the best of us.”

I grunted and nodded, trying to contain my frustration. “Are you aware what Anvari uncovered with the Runesphere before we rushed out of Alokana?”

Vaalnath’s face shifted with something like guilt and sadness. “I have heard through Handmaid Zentha of your exploits, yes. I wish I could have seen it myself. Sounds a remarkable feat.”

I bowed my head again. “The feat was Elayina’s, Father.”

“To think, Ser’karioth reborn, in our lifetime. Truly a wonder, child.” Vaalnath moved from me to inspect Magnus, making a sneer of distaste before saying, “They are an interesting race, these humans, are they not?” Then, to Chief Jhaeros, they said, “Skogalfar have not stepped foot in our city in years. Hail, Hunter-Chief.”

Jhaeros nodded in a less extravagant salute than the one I had given. I hated how Vaalnath spoke of Magnus as if he was a dog, a pet, or some tarnished creature that needed rehabilitation. Such was ever the way of elves, and why we were seen as pompous and superior to our brethren from Midgard.

I had been much the same, once. Then I met Ravinica and everything changed. Now I wanted nothing more than to see her vision come to fruition. I prayed to the spirits that it would come with the Maltor’s assistance.

Stepping back from our group, Vaalnath spread their thin arms wide, the robe dipping down to their elbows and showing spirals of magically enhanced tattoos across their bare arms. “What brings you to the palace in such a state, and with such colorful company, my child?”

I noticed Magnus raise a brow at the sight of Vaalnath’s tattoos along their arms—much the same as his, in fact.

I cleared my throat. “You have heard Dokkalfar have come to Midgard, moving past their weakened wards.”

“Yes, Elayina’s absence from that realm has caused upheaval, as I understand it.”

It wasn’t Elayina who brought the wards down. It was the humans themselves—the Gothi and others, I believe. Hoping to finally get a glimpse of the Runesphere, which they have sought and seethed after for generations.

I didn’t need to tell Vaalnath all of that. They understood the mixed and confusing bloodlines of our people even more than I did. They had dozens of children, after all.

“I come with grimmer tidings, Father. The Dokkalfar are not the only ones to invade Midgard. The jotnar have joined them.”

A flash of annoyance crossed Vaalnath’s features. I heard the creaking of steel as the two guards at the door behind us shifted their weight uncomfortably.

“What are those malevolent heathens planning to do with Midgard, hmm?” Vaalnath asked.

“I don’t know. The humans are fighting them valiantly, and I have joined. Our first battle . . . did not go well. We require assistance, my liege.”

“Ah.” Vaalnath shot me a small smile, almost whimsical in how effortless it crossed their face. “We come to the crux of why you’re here, with a scarred human and an outcast wood elf at your side.”

“I would not request aid if it was not essential, Father. If the soldiers of Svartalfheim and Jotunheim overtake Midgard and use it as a landing base, they will travel Yggdrasil to Alfheim next.”

“You think they come for the Runesphere?” Vaalnath asked.

“I do.” I nodded slowly. “And perhaps with the Lightbearer on their side, captured, they might get it this time.”

Vaalnath tapped their chin, thinking. Pursing their full lips, the Maltor turned to return to their chair. Once sat, they let out a great sigh. “Our armies are spread thin, Corym. Prince Vesryn—”

“Is out at the Eastern Pass, taking my station, I’ve heard.”

Vaalnath let out a high-pitched laugh, the sound never reaching their eyes. “What was I to do? The Ferinosk are a nasty bunch, and getting more unwieldy. Would that you had remained here . . .”

Grinding my teeth together, I stepped forward and clenched a hand into a fist. “It was your idea to send me to Midgard, Father!” My voice echoed off the high, vaulted ceiling of the room. Magnus fidgeted uncomfortably beside me, not understanding my words but clearly understanding my mood.

Vaalnath’s eyes moved to Jhaeros. “What have the humans promised the Skogalfar in return for aiding them?”

“Blood,” Jhaeros grunted, without using any honorific. He sounded bored.

I put a hand on Magnus’ shoulder. “Not just any blood, my liege. This man, whom I call a close friend and brother, has uniqueness in his veins. It can be used in many ways. He is a weapon himself, if used for those purposes.” I gave Magnus a smile, which he returned with a confused frown.

“Interesting. You expect Heira to call forth, band together, and withdraw from our battlefronts for the same thing?”

“No. I don’t suspect you will, my liege. I suspect you’ll want more.”

Vaalnath cocked their head. “What is it you think I want, that would benefit Heira, that you could give me, boy? The Ser’karioth herself?”

I shook my head adamantly. “Ravinica—the name of the Lightbearer—is not for trade. She is off the table.”

They inspected me a moment, eyes narrowing in a disconcerting way. I could feel the power of their mind, their magic, trying to stab into me and discover my allegiances. Their head popped up with a shadow of a smile on their face.

“You love her,” they said.

I did not hesitate. “I do, Father.”

“Well, that is unfortunate . . .”

Taken aback, I shot them a confused look. “How so?”

“Because there is one thing I can think of that would make me consider this request of yours more seriously, son. The same thing I requested of you years ago, before you were ready.” A smile, conniving and impish. “Difference is, now I have someone in mind.”

My face blanched. No, I thought, wishing to the spirits that I had gotten out of this predicament— hoping I would have gotten out of it by all I’d done for Heira and the Maltor .

Magnus noticed my change in stature and said, “What’s wrong, Corym? What have they asked?”

Vaalnath scowled. “Tell the human I will not deign my ears to hear such vulgar words in my palace. Only elves may speak in my presence, in the Elven tongue.”

I shook my head to Magnus, hoping he wouldn’t ask more.

The Maltor continued, leaning forward on their chair. “You know of the E’lain family, I’m sure.”

“Of course,” I answered with a deep nod of respect. “An honorable family.”

“Yes, quite. Handmaid Zentha is of their ilk, did you know?”

I blinked rapidly, thinking of our charming, cunning, beautiful maid from when we’d first arrived here weeks ago. “I . . . did know that, Father. Yes. Where is this line of questioning going?”

Vaalnath stood, clasping hands in front of them. “Zentha is daughter to the Ferinosk leader—a vile woman, so I’ve heard.”

Spirits save me . . .

“I grow tired of them ceaselessly attacking our eastern flank, all along River Th’race. We could end the conflict in one fell swoop, because they wish for camaraderie. They just don’t know it.”

“ Maltor ?” I questioned, slightly confused.

“Zentha is a ready nurturewife, son. Countless suitors have sought her hand. She prefers where she is. A lowly position like hers is no place for such a noble-bound woman, don’t you think?”

I gulped, shaking my head. “I—I don’t know.”

Vaalnath slid toward me, putting their hands on my shoulders with a smile. “Wed Zentha E’lain, Corym, to bring the Ferinosk into the fold. Forge our alliance here , in Heira, and I will assist you in forging an alliance with the humans in Midgard.”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, friend,” Magnus said to me outside the assembly hall.

Jhaeros chuckled to himself, finding this whole situation grand. I was losing my mind, racking my brain and trying to think of ways out of it. I have to help Ravinica. It must be done, no matter what.

“I have, Magnus. And that ghost is myself.”

We walked outside the palace, into the clear blue night.

“What did the emperor—sorry, Maltor , say?”

I told him of our conversation, saving the worst part for last. “In order to broker a peace treaty with the Ferinosk tribe, my liege wishes me to marry Zentha E’lain.”

His gray eyes bulged. “Zentha? As in thehandmaid?”

Jhaeros laughed louder. This time, when Magnus glanced back, he couldn’t help but chuckle also, despite the severity of the news. “Vini’s not going to like this.”

I put my hands on my head, anxiety rattling me. “I can’t do it, Magnus!”

“But you will.” His voice brooked no argument. It was flat, stoic, reminiscent of the sociopathic quality everyone had always told me about the bloodrender.

“I will?” I asked, more to myself than anyone.

“Yes. Because we need the elves more than anything. You’ll marry Zentha if it gets us what we need, because it’s what Ravinica needs. We’ll find some way out of it after everything’s done.”

I scoffed, shocked. “You would have me make a bargain and go back on my word?”

“Yes. Quit being so honorable and listen to logic, elf. Without the Ljosalfar, we can’t win this thing with only Skogalfar”—he motioned to Jhaeros—“no offense.”

Jhaeros didn’t understand him, and stopped chuckling just long enough to glare at him.

As we walked through the Ruby District, complete with its opulence and neck-craning towers, I became lost in thought, trying to find a way to satisfy both parties.

Lunis’ai’s heart will be broken if she learns I’ve done this.

I bumped shoulders with a passing elf, similarly lost in thought and heading for the palace in a hurry.

When I glanced up to apologize, I gasped. “Deitryce?!” I cried out. She was just as surprised, and was taken aback when I lunged and hugged her. “Sister!”

My beautiful sister, a Company-Prince like me, smiled demurely. “Glad to see you’re still alive, brother. I wish I could talk, but I have business with the Maltor .” She arched her brow at the palace we’d just left. “Seems like you did too. What is going on?”

With her quick about-face, I debated telling her everything. I resisted, because I hadn’t seen my sister in so long and didn’t know where her heart resided anymore. It was a sad realization. “What is your business with Vaalnath, Deitryce?” My voice was skeptical.

“It concerns the Ser’karioth you uncovered. I believe I’ve discovered a way to utilize her.”

I gawked. Grabbing hold of my senses, I shook my head. “Ravinica? Utilize her? What do you mean?”

“She is the key, brother.” Deitryce’s eyes lit up, making her look mad with hope. “To vanquishing our foes and keeping them out of our world. The jotnar, Dokkalfar, dwarves, humans—all of them!”

Oh spirits, what is she thinking?

“Explain yourself, sister.” My tone went grim.

“A simple exchange, brother. That’s all I speak of.” She leaned in closer to whisper, nearly giddy with excitement but not wanting to speak in front of the Skogalfar and human behind me. “We’ve no need for the Runesphere, Corym. We have the magic it holds. But the dark elves? They’ll give us anything for it . . . including a dragon.”

She smiled, as if she’d discovered the secrets to the Tree of Life.

I looked ghastly, my face losing all color. “No.”

“What do you mean, no ?”

“We don’t barter with Dokkalfar, sister. You know this.”

Her nose scrunched. “What . . . what happened to the brother I knew? The stalwart defender of Alfheim, who witnessed the human soldiers slay our people? The one who fought tooth and nail to see me escape, so we might live? Just how did you live, anyway?”

What happened to me, Deitryce? I fell in love with a woman. That’s what happened to me. And now . . . now I would rather my entire world burn than put her in the hands of our mortal enemies.

She scoffed before beginning to walk off, realizing I wasn’t going to explain myself.

I grabbed her arm before she could get far, twisting her around, making her shrug my hand off her. “Deitryce, I’m begging you. Don’t suggest this to Vaalnath. You’re making a mistake.”

“What kind of mistake?” she snarled.

I looked into her fair face, her tawny hair, her slender shoulders. “There was a woman, fair like you, who tried a similar scheme. A human woman. Jhaeros here called her a doppelganger, and a friend of mine called her a sister. Just like I call you, Deitryce. My sister.”

Her face twisted with confusion.

“She died,” I explained. “The Dokkalfar killed her for helping them, because she didn’t help them enough. She sought to get Lady Elayina, our revered Anvari , killed. And she was murdered for it by the very people you would hope to negotiate with.”

Doubt flashed across Deitryce’s features. It was only a moment, yet it was telling. She glanced away, eyes darting, then back to me. “Why are you telling me this tale meant to scare children, brother?”

I gripped her arm harder. “Because if you try anything with Ravinica Lindeen, the Ser’karioth , it won’t be the Dokkalfar who kill you, sister. It will be me.”