Page 172 of Valkyrie Unknown

“Promise me, Finn.” I didn’t want to do this, but everything was about semantics in this world. “Swear right now you won’t set foot in my home again, you won’t return to Shamrock at all,”

Finn clenched his fist and worked his jaw.

“Swear it now. In front of witnesses.” I pushed.

“I swear it. I won’t set foot in your home again, or return to Shamrock, until you say otherwise,” Finn said.

That wasn’t what I said, but I’d never say otherwise, so the nuance didn’t matter. “Fine. Let’s go.”

The door was already open, but one inside me had been closed off. Not just parts of my trust, but a bigger piece of me.

When we stepped into the bakery, there was no sign of Tania or Finn. Our dishes from earlier had been cleared away, but the slips of paper we’d written our fears on lay on the table. My words mocked me. This wasn’t the last time I’d have to face this fear, and I hated the knowledge.

“This isn’t what I wrote.” Azzie studied hers, then held it toward Davyn and me. “But it’s in my handwriting.”

“The prophecies aren’t real,” Davyn read aloud.

It was what she should’ve written. Despite having forced Finn out of my life, I couldn’t ignore the reality of his words. She and I had different goals, and it was possible she’d destroy me regardless of what either of us wanted.

I couldn’t let myself believe I didn’t have a choice. “What did yours say, Davyn?”

“It doesn’t matter.” He reached for the slip of paper where Finn had been instead. “Losing Zeke.”

A heavy stone sank in my gut at the words. “How do we get home?” I didn’t want to linger or regret or second-guess myself, but I would be questioning what happened in there, what happened with Finn, for a long time.

“Hello,” Azzie called. “Tania.”

Another note appeared on the table, and I grabbed it.When you figure out who you are, I’ll see you again.

Why did I have a feeling that was meant for me? “I think we’re on our own.”

“Find us a door home, Öngull.” Davyn turned to Azzie.

What did he just call her? Her eyes grew wide in shock, and pink spread across her cheeks. They were using terms of endearment now? In the last few hours?

The three of us walked out of the bakery and toward the nearest corner. Azzie walked with direction and Davyn followed like a proper guard bear.

Why did it feel like I’d lost something in there?

We were safe. We survived.

Despite all of us walking out intact, none of us would be the same again.

Forty-Seven

Davyn

“Why did you call me Öngull?”Azzie asked when we parted ways with Zeke.

It was what popped into my head. “It means angel, which doesn’t translate the same now as it used to. Like a winged warrior, you’re strong, capable of great things, and you deliver both justice and mercy. It seemed fitting.”

She gave a terse nod. “Okay.”

What did that mean?

“I’d like to take a step back from the surprise training for a little while.” The icy control in her voice didn’t hide the trace of sadness. “Not forever, but until further notice.”

I hated the idea of giving up training, but that wasn’t what she’d asked, and it was a reasonable request. “We’ll do that. You let me know.”

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