Page 85 of A Bond in Blood

“Why?” Ulrich replied, turning his gaze away from the window.

My hands moved out around me. “The history on these shelves should be treated with respect. The stories should be cared for. But each shelf is covered in a thick layer of dust. There’s almost no place to sit. It’s heartbreaking.”

“Are you a lover of tales and fables?”

I shook my head. “While I do read, I view myself as more of a historian, Ulrich. A lover of history and tales of our world. History is the most valuable weapon we have at our fingertips. You’re making a mockery of our future by allowing all of this history to fall into ruin.”

“Is this why you learned mapping?”

I rolled my eyes. “Why do you wish to know? What advantage does this provide you to hold over me later?”

Ulrich shrugged. “You’ve lived under my roof for five months. I should at least learn more about you.”

“I thought you kneweverythingabout the things you owned?” I bit back.

Ulrich’s smile grew wide. “You love to load your tongue with fighting words, princess. Impressive for someone who allowed herself to live a life alone on that little island.”

I went silent, turning my head away from him.

“Why did my ancestor come to you?” I whispered my question. “Harold said Oberon gifted my island to my ancestor, a false tale I was told my entire life. But you and I both know that’s not true.”

“It is,” Ulrich replied.

“Explain it to me.”

“It wasn’t your deal,” Ulrich replied coldly.

“I am here because of that deal. I deserve to understand the workings of it.”

Ulrich glanced at me then placed his feet on to the table before him, leaning back on his chair.

“Your ancestor was a fool,” he began. “A fool who had fallen in love with a mortal. Despite his king forbidding him from doing so.”

Ulrich sighed.

“He called for me. Meeting me at a crossroads near Aesir and the small kingdom Oberon allowed him to rule.”

“Called for you?” I asked.

Ulrich smiled. “There are many ways to enact a deal with me. Requesting it outright when in my presence, as you did.” He winked. “Requesting it through a desperate letter—my least favored way. And then myfavorite—burying your blood deep into the soil of the earth at a crossroads in Vaneer, requesting my presence.”

The air stilled while the king talked, and his hands tapped against the arm of his chair.

“Your ancestor fell to his knees when I appeared through my shadows. Lifting his hands, he begged me to convince Oberon to allow him to marry the woman he loved.”

“I’d almost said no. Almost denied the pathetic request, but I had a moment of weakness that evening. So, I offered him my terms—he gets the woman, and I get the service of the first daughter of his bloodline born on the first day of the blood moon.”

“Why?” I interjected.

“Why not?”

I stood from my bench, placing myself right before him.

“Why offer such an odd term? The blood moons are long, they take millennia to appear again.”

“Well, that was the most entertaining part of it. I wasn’t even sure it would happen. My deals do not have to make sense, Brenna.”

“You’re sick,” I groaned. “Tricking innocent souls into deals they may never be able to fulfill.”

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