Page 54 of Valkyrie Confused

“You were at her place way too long to not have done anything. You didn’t bed her—I’d know if you had—but her scent was all over you when you came to my room.”

I have so far managed to avoid giving him the satisfaction of telling him he's right and that Scarlett is near impossible to resist, and I plan on keeping it that way.

“Better,” I mumble, as Scarlett plants her foot just right this time. Her spin kick is near-perfect. If we had another three months, I could make a warrior out of her. We’ll have more time to train when I get her to Odin.

Bile bubbles up my throat. I swallow it and twirl my sword in my hand. “Now I'll attack. You dodge.”

“You sure?” She smirks, and it's more threatening than her glower. “Aren’t you the pro at dodging?”

Pan looks from one of us to the other. “Uh oh.”

“You know what? I’ve had enough.” She points her sword at me. “I don’t even care that you wouldn’t fuck me.” She stabs the air. “I don't mind that you left—totally your prerogative, dude—but you’ve barely said one word to me this whole week, outside training. And when you do speak, it’s to berate and annoy me. And I have a snapping point, mister.” With an ease she wouldn’t dream of a week ago, she turns the hilt in her grip, so the sword points downward, and thrusts it into the ground. “This is it. This is me, snapping.”

“She came on to you, and you saidno?” Pan arches an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with you?”

Having to defend myself against both of them is infinitely more fun when it involves weapons or physical contact.

“This is all your fault.” I squeeze my fists. Press them against my thighs, to keep from doing something stupid like punching him. Or pulling him in for a kiss.

He gapes. “My fault?”

Scarlett looks as incredulous as Pan does. “His fault? How? You said he wouldn’t have an issue with us— You know.”

He wouldn’t. Because that’s been his plan all along. To make me fall for Scarlett. Being intimate with her would—

No, it wouldn't. I can separate love from lust.

Then why didn’t I fuck her?

“Well?” She taps her booted foot on the ground, arms folded over her chest. How did I ever fail to see she’s a Valkyrie? She has a fighter's soul, and with training smoothing over her insecurities, her strength shines through.

“I shouldn’t get involved with you. It'll make it easier—”

“For you to tear her life upside down by dragging her kicking and screaming to your boss?” Pan’s tone is dripping honey, but that doesn’t take away from the harshness of his words.

“That’s not— Odin has a plan for her. For all of us.”

His eyeroll is extra grating today. He and Scarlett are getting to me more with each day that passes, and it’s because he was spot on from the beginning—getting to know her and enjoying my time with him make me waver.

Admitting it to myself stings. I’m not the wavering type.

“There’s no absolute destiny,” Scarlett says. “People get to choose their fate. You said yourself we decide what to do about our feelings. That means we have free will.”

My bear pushes to the surface on a wave of frustration. Doesn’t she see there’s no getting out of this? “People do. Berserkers and Valkyries don’t. We’re fate’s tools.”

She snorts. “More like Odin's bitches.” She's been spending too much time with Pan. “Who decided he’s the good guy, anyway?” she asks. “Or doesn’t that matter?”

Does it? I’ve always been convinced that, despite his questionable methods, Odin ultimately has the best interest of the world—human and immortal alike—at heart. But would I feel the same if I wasn’t forced to serve him, or is this my way of rationalizing the crimes I’ve had to commit in his name?

Ihave been spending too much time with Pan. “He is the good guy. He's the ultimate power.” In my life, at least. “He has a plan.”

Do I sound as silly to them as I sound to myself?

Not silly. This is what I’ve believed all my life, and I won’t change it for an unascended Valkyrie I met a couple weeks ago and a god who’s always had more passion than good sense.

I should leave tonight, cut all contact with both of them, and only come back to get her when time’s up.

But she won’t be ready.

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