Page 7 of Blood of Ancients

“What’s your plan?” I asked, nudging up closer to him. It was all I could do, since my bed was so damn small, pushed against a corner of the tiny dwelling.

“Need to report to Hersir Osfen.”

Axel Osfen was the battlemaster of the academy. A man who looked as much a fierce dwarf as a man, with a bald pate and stern eyes. He’d always been fair with me, even helpful.

I frowned, kissing his chest. “You’d better get to it. I need to wash before I stain my bedsheets with this stupid fucking blood.”

Sven grunted, our heads sideways, staring at each other. “He’ll need to be taken care of at some point, menace.”

I didn’t need to ask who he was talking about. Dismayed, I nodded and closed my eyes. “I know.”

“He’ll only get more brazen.”

I sat up to the edge of the bed, averting eye contact and showing him my back as frustration boiled inside me.Thiswas the part of Sven that could be infuriating at times. “I said I know, Sven. What do you want me to do, kill him? He’s still my half-brother.”

Sven joined me at the edge of the bed, staring sidelong at me. He surprised me by reaching over and cupping my chin as I moved to gather my discarded shirt off the ground.

His touch nearly made me purr. I could have slept all day with him, if we had the time. But we were busy cadets and had to go our separate ways for now.

“I won’t tolerate you getting hurt,” he said. His voice was gruff, his words said in the most Sven way possible.

It made me quirk a smile as I turned away from his touch, my cheeks reddening. He didn’t say he wouldn’tletme get hurt, or couldn’tallowit to happen, or remark on how sad he’d be if Damon actually hurt me.

No. He said he would not tolerate it. As if he was the only thing to stand between me and certain death.

It was romantic, in a way, because Sven didn’t have an ounce of diplomacy inside him. But he was trying, and I had to give him his flowers.

I leaned over and kissed him once, then stood with a sigh.

I finally found my tunic and threw it on, making a face at the stain of blood ruining the fabric. “Don’t worry, love. I’ll figure out what to do about Damon. He’s like a harmless pup, trying to make himself known. I can deal with these pranks. I have much more to worry about.”

I had four other men, two best friends, a prophecy, and a rebellion to think about. Damon was not high on my list of concerns at the moment.

When I made it to the door, Sven’s voice stopped me.

“Menace.”

I glanced over my shoulder.

“Don’t forget that pups grow into hounds. And hounds can be dangerous if they’re not disciplined.”

Chapter 4

Sven

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