Page 77 of The Magic of Vanaheim

Heart clenching in fear, Håkon watched the duel unfold. He’d never seen Brogar fight like this. There was raw, untamed power in his movements, something that didn’t belong to him. But how? Håkon tugged at his bonds again, panic rising in his chest. If Talvinen couldn’t end this soon—

With a roar, Brogar shoved Talvinen backwards, throwing him off balance. The force of the impact sent Talvinen sprawling across the floor, frost spreading in his wake.

“Talvi,” Håkon sobbed into the gag.

Rolling, Talvinen got back onto his feet. He seemed shaken but not scared. Advancing again, slower this time, Talvi studied Brogar’s every move, searching for an opening.

Håkon’s heart thundered in his chest, each beat a desperate plea for Talvinen to prevail. His husband advanced with the cautious precision of a hunter, movements still elegant. But Håkon could see the toll this battle was taking on him. Brogar’s unnatural strength was wearing him down.

Slashing his sword artlessly like a hammer, Brogar lunged again, aiming for Talvinen’s head. But Talvi sidestepped, graceful like a deer, and swung his blade toward Brogar’s midsection. But once more, Brogar’s sword was there to meet him.

“You can’t beat me, littlevala.” Brogar’s voice dripped with arrogance. He seemed to be enjoying himself, his grin wide and feral. “Just give up. Kneel, and maybe I’ll spare your precious husband.”

Growling, Talvinen met him in a whirlwind of steel, blocking and parrying insanely fast.

Håkon pulled at his bonds with everything he had, wrists raw and bleeding, but the ropes held fast. The helplessness gnawed at him, watching as Talvinen fought alone, knowing he could do nothing to help.Please, gods, please let him be safe, Håkon prayed silently.

Brogar swung high again, aiming to end the fight with a killing blow, but this time Talvinen didn’t block. Instead, he ducked, sweeping his leg under Brogar’s feet and sending him crashing to the ground. Brogar scrambled to his knees, but Talvinen was already moving, sword raised, frost sparkling around him like a coat.

Brogar’s eyes widened as Talvinen brought the sword down with a roar, the blade slicing clean through his defenses. The frost-coated steel bit deep into Brogar’s shoulder, freezing the flesh as it cut. Brogar screamed in pain, his sword clattering to the ground as his body convulsed. Talvinen didn’t hesitate. He pulled the sword free and, with a final strike, plunged it into Brogar’s chest. The fire around the altar flickered and died as Brogar’s body fell limp, his face twisted in shock.

Håkon gasped, his breath ragged and uneven. It was over. Talvinen stood above Brogar’s lifeless body, his sword dripping with blueJotunnblood, his chest heaving from the exertion. The once-mighty flames were now embers.

Turning to him, Talvi smiled at him, soft and tired.

“It’s done,” he whispered.

Tears welled in Håkon’s eyes as relief flooded his body. Talvinen had won.

“Talvi,” Håkon choked through the gag. The smell of incense burning to ashes clogged his nose, and Håkon couldn’t wait to feel Talvinen’s arms around him.

Lowering his sword, Talvinen took one last look at Brogar’s dead body before he turned towards Håkon.

“Dróttning! Are you well? Did he hurt you?”

Håkon laughed, relieved beyond measure. But his elation was short-lived.

The awful sound of steel cutting through leather and flesh echoed in the temple, and Håkon stared in shock at the tip of a blade protruding from Talvi’s chest.

“What—?”

Talvi’s mouth shaped into a surprised ‘O’, his eyes widening. Blood dripped past his pale lips. Why was he bleeding?

Frozen in shock, Håkon could only stare in horror as the blade was ripped back, blood oozing down Talvi’s chest. Red. So much red. Talvi stumbled and fell to his knees. Behind him, the silhouette of a woman took shape.

Svanhild grinned down at Håkon,Isbaniheld casually in her hand, dripping with Talvinen’s blood.

“No,” Håkon breathed.

Leaning forward as if he wanted to touch him one last time, Talvi locked eyes with him.

“Love…you—” The words were choked, barely a whisper.

Light fading from his eyes, Talvi collapsed. Silently. Just out of Håkon’s reach.

Håkon screamed.

How could the gods be so cruel as to give him everything he’d ever dreamed of in the form of a fearless youngvala, only to steal the love of his life away from him again? His only consolation was that he would die with Talvinen.