Page 27 of Blood of Ancients

Chapter 9

Ravinica

I TOSSED AND TURNEDin my small bed, grumbling to myself when I couldn’t fall asleep. It was late, tomorrow was a big day. The first day of my second term. I didn’t know what to expect.

There was more on my mind than schoolwork and training. I felt distant from my men, despite the hot sex we’d been having. It was like they were trying to keep me at arm’s-length from anything they thought might worry me.

Magnus leaving the academy for a patrolling mission aboveground. Sven and his own family attacking him. Grim and his quiet solitude, struggling to speak his mind.

When a soft knock came at my door, I bolted upright, instinctively reaching for my spear—ready to harpoon anyone who stepped through.

I had started to sleep with my spear on the side of my bed. I might’ve been paranoid, but it was better than getting caught flatfooted.

When the door cracked open, a lithe shadow stood in the opening. “Little fox?”

The tawny mane of Arne Gornhodr was backlit by torchlight behind him, making him seem soft and gallant.

I lowered my spear, rubbing my eyes. “Can’t sleep either, huh?”

He shook his head but didn’t move from the doorway.

“If you were hoping for something . . .” I trailed off, clearing my throat. “I’m worn out, Arne.”

Sven, Magnus, and Grim had tired me out in the best way possible.

“I’m not looking for anything other than company, Vin.”

I waved him in before reclining again. “Then get your ass in here, iceshaper. You’re probably the only one of the guys who would fit on this damned tiny bed with me anyway.”

He quirked a smile and shuffled in, shutting the door behind him. The man looked cute in old-timey pajama bottoms and a thin, puffy sleeping tunic.

He settled in next to me with a sigh, his thin body close to mine, heat shifting between us. We lay on our sides, facing one another, and I gave him a small smile.

For all his cunning and bravado, Arne could be tender and filled with self-doubt when I got him alone. Part of that came from him trying to stay on my good side after betraying me during my first term. I had forgiven him, but I knew it was a point of contention always on his mind, racking him with guilt.

I had done what I could to show him we were still okay—that I loved him, even if I struggled to show it at times.

His breath was warm and sweet on my face. He put a hand to my cheek, rubbing softly as we stared at one another in silence.

Once the quiet became overbearing, he said, “I am sorry about Corym, and my part in his capture, fox.”

When he tried to pull his hand away from my face, I latched my palm on his knuckles, rubbing the soft spot between his thumb and pointer finger.

Goosebumps ran up his arm—a delicious sight that made me want to swallow him whole, no matter how tired I was.

“It wasn’t your fault . . . this time,” I eked out. “You can’t control your sister. Frida did what she did to protect her people.”

Arne frowned, nodding. I could tell my words didn’t make him feel any better.

“No, I blame Gothi Sigmund. For not allowing Corym to leave once I opened the portal. For going back on his word.”

Arne let out a whisper of a scoff. “Corym would have never left even if he could have, love. He cares too much for you.”

I blinked back a burn in my eyes, a lump in my throat.

Arne was right. There was no point denying it.

“I tried to unseat her, you know. My sister.”

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