Page 21

CHAPTER 21

E irik

I cradle Sasha against my chest, water from the healing pool dripping down my skin. Her small frame quivers in my arms, but her grip around my torso is surprisingly fierce. How can someone so small be so strong? I don’t know. All I know is that the feeling of her dainty fingers curving against my flesh is worth any fight I could fight.

“I thought you were dead,” she whispers against my chest. “I was so scared I lost you.”

My heart aches at the pain in her voice. The words I long to say crowd my throat, threatening to spill forth. That she is mine. That I will protect her with my life. That even death would not tear her from my hands.

But before I can tell her all the words that fill my mind when I gaze at her face, I have to fulfill my duty. The Elder’s ageless eyes bore into me, waiting. I reluctantly loosen my hold on Sasha, though I keep one hand at the small of her back.

“Elder, I bring grave news.” My voice echoes off the crystal walls. “The alliance with Tartarus is compromised.”

The Elder’s pupils dilate, but it is the only sign of agitation on his stony features. Behind me, the other Huugwors remain silent, but their outrage fills the air with the musky smell of anger.

“Explain, Eirik,” the Elder says in an even voice. “Our alliance with the city under the mountain has taken many months of negotiation. Why would our allies turn their backs on us now?”

I want to wince, but I can’t. My Huugwor brothers do not understand betrayal the same way we do. They will not understand that the people of Tartarus do not follow their chancellor the same way we follow our Elder.

“Chancellor Ry remains as dedicated to the alliance as ever.” I’m glad my voice is even and strong, even though I do not feel it. “I cannot yet determine how deep this betrayal runs, but the leaders of the city are still loyal to us.”

“Why then do you come to us, wounded and with an outsider?” The Elder’s gaze flicks to Sasha, then back to me.

“Someone inside the city is working against the alliance,” I begin, carefully choosing my words. “She has knowledge of our project to share the power of the Soul Stone with Tartarus and join in a fight against the Empire.”

The Elder frowns, his ancient brows creasing as he considers the new information I just gave him.

“And you know who is at the origin of this threat?”

I nod. The Elder rubs his chin, his long, bony fingers moving along the once-strong jaw.

“The Empire cannot obtain that knowledge.” His tone is final, his words chilling me to the core. In my arms, Sasha stills and her body becomes stiff.

I know the risk I’m taking, giving the Elder this information. He almost wiped the city under the mountain from existence once. He would do it if he believed the city could compromise the safety of the Huugwor nation.

The fate of Tartarus is not his responsibility. His sole focus is the wellbeing of the Huugwor nation.

“The Seed is still in a safe location in the city,” I tell him. “I will go back and retrieve it, then neutralize the threat. But we need to be ready.”

The Elder’s gaze shifts between Sasha and me.

“And you, human, do you understand what this means?”

Sasha twists around in my arms and I let her, but I don’t let her pull away from me. I need her close if I need to protect her.

“The people of Tartarus need your help.” She speaks with a clear, even voice. “Lady Ozura wants to destroy the alliance because she is power hungry. She doesn’t speak for us. We come to our ally for assistance. Don’t turn your back on us now.”

I listen with my brows raised, impressed by her choice of words. Then again, she always did have a smart mouth.

“How can the Huugwor nation help you?” The Elder speaks in an equally even voice, but I see the flicker of anger in his pale gaze. To suggest that Huugwors would abandon an ally unjustly would be to assign them great cowardice.

“She will try to grab power.” Sasha speaks again and this time, I let her move away from me. She still has the good sense to remain seated and away from the Elder as his bodyguards watch her, ready to strike at the first sign of hostility.

“Help us keep her away from the position of chancellor. Help us by showing to the people of Tartarus what kind of life they could live. Most of us never have enough food or water to fill our bellies. Let Chancellor Ry show this to our people and they will rise with you.”

Pride swells in my chest as I watch Sasha stand her ground before the Elder. Few outsiders have ever shown such wisdom in addressing our people. The Elder’s stern expression softens, and he raises his hand in a gesture of acceptance.

“Your mate speaks with courage and insight, Eirik.” The Elder’s voice carries through the crystal chamber. “We shall honor our alliance with Tartarus. I will call for a gathering of the chiefs at first light.”

Relief washes through me. I cannot control what the chiefs will decide, but I know the Elder enough to see he doesn’t want to renege on the alliance.

Sasha turns to me, her dark eyes filled with questions. “What happens now?”

I pull her close, breathing in her scent. “Tonight, we rest.”

“Prepare the great hall,” the Elder commands the warriors. “Tonight, we welcome Eirik’s mate properly.”

I feel Sasha tense at the word ‘mate,’ but she doesn’t comment. That conversation will need to happen soon, but not here, not now. For the moment, I simply want to hold her close and appreciate that we’re both alive and safe.

The warriors disperse, their footsteps echoing off the crystal walls as they go to make preparations. The Elder gives us one final look before following them, leaving us alone in the healing chamber.

“Your people are nothing like what I expected,” Sasha whispers against my chest.

I kiss the top of her head. “You’ll learn there are many misconceptions about the Huugwor. But for now, let’s just enjoy the peace we’ve earned.”