Page 26 of Blood of Ancients

“Good. I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to get you out of here, Corym.”

“Sorry? There’s nothing to be done. I know my standing with the Vikingruners. My position is in the cellar. Truth be told, they would get the same treatment if they were housed inmyhome, so I cannot fault them too badly for it.”

“It’s still inhumane,” I snarled.

“I am allowed to leave the room a few times a day. With sentinels watching me like gargoyles, of course.” He motioned to the corner of his room. “I’m even given a pot to piss in. Opulent, I know.”

I wrinkled my nose, making a face.

He laughed. “Don’t worry. It’s empty.”

“Thank the gods.” There wasn’t anything to ruin a romantic, forlorn moment like a steaming bucket of shit.

I rubbed his shoulder, smiling sadly. The silence felt strained, our gazes drifting away. “I miss you, love.”

“I know,lunis’ai.I await the day I am freed from here, from the Lepers, from the rules of the Isle, so I may have you again.”

“You’ll always have me.” My voice was low.

He cleared his throat and nodded, opening his mouth but then closing it without saying a thing.

Though we loved each other—which was a novelty for an elf and a human—things hadn’t been the same since I . . . did what I did. Opening the portal to Alfheim.

I didn’t regret it . . . completely. Part of me did, because it destroyed Corym so badly when he realized what I’d done. When he realized I’d put his people in jeopardy by giving humans access to his realm.

It was selfishness that drove me to do it. Needing so badly to keep Corym alive, I had jeopardized the lives of untold thousands back in his homeland.

The worst part was, the Ljosalfar elves were likely unaware of it.Otherwise, why haven’t they come back? If they knew the portal was reopened, would they not return to investigate?

It had also put undue stress on everyone. Magnus was heading there tomorrow, on a dangerous mission. Gothi Sigmund tried to keep a constant watch on the portal, even during the worst parts of winter.

The Isle was on a razor’s edge, and it was all my fault.

With the heavy weight of silence lingering for what seemed like eons, my yellow eyes locked with the elf’s golden orbs. “I’d do it again, Corym,” I whispered.

He nodded solemnly, a small smile. “I know.It’s two of the things I love most about you. Your belief and resolve.”

He knew exactly what I was talking about, because it was the one thing standing between us.I’d open the portal all over again if it meant seeing your face for even another day.

Unfortunately, this thing between us—this barrier—would remain an impassable fissure until something gave way.

I just worried what thatsomethingmight be.

And I was terrified it would be catastrophic.

---