Page 111 of The Songs of Fate (War of Fate)

“Stop!” Cri shouted.

I dropped the sword. I could barely lift it anyways.

“This should be your nature. Why am I fighting a child? It’s almost as if…”

“Almost as if what?” I asked.

“It’s not possible. I saw you save Danny. You are a Valkyrie, but it’s as if you’re mortal.”

“But you said that’s not possible,” I said.

“You are not like an Einherjar who is guarded from death. We get just a fraction of your light, and it makes the warrior immortal. If we weren’t warriors, the strongest souls, the process would kill us. A Valkyrie is aether, pure energy; no mortal soul can survive while containing the Valkyrie.”

Then why the hell am I alive?

“You said before my aether is weak—the Valkyrie is weak. I just need time to get stronger. Don’t worry, Cri. I’m all Valkyrie,” I said, beckoning the light to crackle down my fingertips.

The small flickers were easy to control. It was only a tiny portion of what lie beneath. I edged closer to him so he could feel the power of the light at my fingertips. As soon as Cri stepped back, I clamped down on the energy before it could grow. In a tight space with all of the Einherjar so close, the Valkyrie could easily beckon their strength to feed itself. The Valkyrie preferred being surrounded by the Einherjar compared to being alone. Last night I noticed the difference in its glow, being away from them. It must be some innate way it sought protection.

“That’s enough for the day,” Cri said.

I wasn’t sure if he meant sword fighting or interrogation, so I assumed both. I thunked to the ground to watch the others.

Danny fought Leo, and Logan engaged Ales. Each appeared to be going full speed with their opponent.

Leo and Danny finished first. Danny threw Leo off-balance and landed what would have been a fatal blow.

I cheered at his victory. “All right, Danny. Great move!”

Damn, I would have never thought to feign an attack to the side to get Leo off-balance.

Danny and Leo shook hands and took a seat next to me to watch Logan and Ales. Both cut and then attacked, moving so quickly I couldn’t keep up with the positions or the footwork.

I looked at their swords carefully. Dark black symbols were etched along the blade with a sexy hilt and golden wings.

Are you kidding me? Someone’s going to get hurt using the Valkyrie weapons.

I held my breath and watched them engage each other.

Ales was smoother, more cunning than Logan when he sliced through the air with little effort, then devised the next strike. Logan’s strokes were stronger, breaking Ales down with sheer repeated drives. Each was engaged equally in the fight. One would attack, the other would guard, and then again. It was a dance of golden winged blades across the black stone.

Ales would dive or feign, and Logan would counter. Each was in tune with the other, anticipating each other’s moves.

I couldn’t imagine that level of skill.

Both men were amazing warriors and athletes in their own right. Logan was broader, and had more muscle to support his strikes but Ales was more agile. Each used their body to their advantage. I watched the sweat seep down Ales’ arm as he bore the weight of Logan’s strike.

Ales threw him off and feigned a strike to the side. Logan guarded, but was too late. Ales sliced his sword swiftly across Logan’s chest.

It would have been fatal if Ales had put his weight into the sword.

Logan hissed as the blade sliced across his flesh. He brought down his sword, conceding defeat.

Ales nodded and grasped for Logan’s forearm.

“It feels like wildfire.” Logan touched the blood on his chest.

Ales smiled as he slapped Logan’s open wound. “That’s the aether from the sword. Valkyries say the aether is pure pleasure, but for all others it is painful. Perhaps it’s only the Valkyrie’s arrogance. But when they wield their aether to create an Einherjar, it is always painful for the man. It’s why your mark stings. It is the tiniest bit of aether that remains after the change. It’s how the mark calls to the Valkyrie when she is near.”

Logan gasped at the smack to the deep gash. Blood flowed down his bare chest to the top of his leather-armor pants.

“Next time, retain all the armor on.” Ales took our swords from us and stored them away then turned to me with cunning smile. “Tell us, Valkyrie. Do you feel the pain of the aether when you wield it?”

It was a trap. Ales had to know the Valkyrie loved the light. It was the light—excitement and pleasure. It was Charlie who felt the pain. It kept me in check, reminding me to use restraint even when the Valkyrie was summoned.

I looked at Ales and Logan. “My aether is complete euphoria.”

Ales’ stare swirled with intensity. He knew I was lying. I saw it plainly in his eyes.

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