Amie nodded, but from her confused expression I knew the concept was slightly confusing.
I glanced behind me to check if anyone had noticed me lingering here. Huldras didn't loiter. "Did you speak to him at all?" I whispered.
"Yeah, he woke up a few times, seemed confused. He asked for Ms. Custer and for you. I'm sorry, Bryn. I told him who was here, but I had no idea you were here too."
Tears singed my eyes for the lonely little boy who didn't know I was here for him. "Did they say where they were taking him?" In answer, Aimee shook her head. Her jaw tensed and her eyes were moist. I didn't want to press further, refused to make her feel guilt for something she had no power over.
As I rose, Aidan turned and met my eyes. Just one look brought everything back. Those first heated kisses, the comfort and warmth of his arms. The magic of knowing someone cared for me enough to give up his all-important nightlife. But with the wave of love and longing came the frigid reality of his betrayal.
He'd come to Craven with the intention of seeking me out. Of befriending me to confirm I was a Valkyrie. He'd known all along. Picked at the layers of who I was. He'd used me, then brought his goons around to scare Ms. Custer.
"Bryn." Joshua's voice penetrated the fog of hurt and anger. "Are you okay?"
I just nodded. Still staring at Aidan who'd seen my longing and my pain and anger. Aidan stared back, bewildered. He had no idea how much I knew of his maneuvering into my life.
"Bryn, can we talk?" he said. And I refused to answer. Lifa had already taken all the trays away, and Sigrun now entered the kitchen behind her. I shook my head, not sure I was ready to face him alone, not able to trust myself to control my anger.
"It's time I left." I smiled at Aimee and Joshua, wishing I could hug them and say goodbye. "I have no idea when I'll be able to come and see you again. Sigrun took a huge chance bringing me here and I don't want to risk getting her in trouble. And with the procession tomorrow and the Choosing the next day, another visit won't be possible until at least two days from now."
"What procession?" Joshua asked.
"Freya will arrive tomorrow morning and there will be a procession through Asgard. She'll be choosing her share of the Warriors for her own regiments."
"Will she take us too?" asked Aimee, her forehead crumpled.
"No. I don't think so. You've only just arrived. With no training and so little strength, you're not likely to be true Warrior material. No offense." All three smiled though I avoided Aidan's eyes. "I really have to go now. I will try to come again later in the week."
I turned to leave. Behind me the bed creaked and Aidan let out a soft groan. Just the thought that he meant to follow me set my heart racing. Quickening my steps, I rushed to the kitchen entrance that was guarded by one of the many thick pillars spaced out within the room. Fat enough for two of Njall to hide behind without being seen, it shielded the entrance to the kitchen, dousing the rowdiness that must emanate from a busy kitchen in the midst of meal preparations.
Aidan caught my hand as I reached for the kitchen door. As if on cue, the door opened and Sigrun popped her head around it to look for me. Her face was urgent when she saw me, then changed when she caught sight of Aidan's fingers entwined with mine.
"I will wait out back for you." She winked and shut the door.
I turned to Aidan and tried to tug my fingers free. Instead, he held on tight and grasped the back of my head with his free hand.
"What's wrong? Why are you so angry with me?" His eyes swept along my face as if he would find an answer somewhere in my dead eyes or in the thin line of my mouth.
"You know very well what's wrong. You and your lies! I can't take any more of them." My voice broke and tears filled my eyes. It was his touch. His body so close to mine that was my undoing.
"Please, tell me what I did to make you look at me like that." He placed his forehead on mine and as he spoke, his breath mingled with mine.
"I read the book you left behind."
He stiffened but remained where he was. "Then you know I tried to protect you."
"But you came to Craven for the express reason of infiltrating my life, discovering if I really was a Valkyrie. Everything was a lie." My voice shook. It was so hard to breathe and talk and be in the same personal space as Aidan. Thinking of all the reasons I should hate him was becoming more and more difficult.
"True. I can't deny why I came. But once I got to know you I realized how wrong everything was. No way was I going to put you in any danger, even if my father hated what your father had done. It wasn't fair to you." Aidan shook his head. "I wish I could change everything. Go back to the beginning."
"And what about what you did to poor Ms. Custer? You lied to her. From the moment you first walked into our house you lied to everyone."
"Not about everything," he said softly. His thumb traced my cheek. "Not about everything."
"Whatever happened between us was part of your lies, Aidan. There's nothing left."
As I whispered those words I knew I lied. The way my heart flipped inside my chest and the speed of my breath was beginning to distract me. Behind my emotional attachment to Aidan was anger, and a chasm of granite pain. But deeper than the betrayal my heart simmered with longing.
"That is a lie and you know it." He leaned closer, and his lips caught mine. Heat enveloped us, ripping my anger loose, tearing apart any barricades I'd built between us in the past weeks. His hands were hot on my skin, his thumb now tenderly tracing the curved of my collarbone. We were both lost in each other.
A mindless, breathless sense of belonging overwhelmed me, reminded me why I'd sought out Aidan in the first place, why this leather-clad, bad-boy biker had crawled beneath my skin and why I'd never been able to get him out. He'd filled the emptiness inside me. All those places that craved little emotional fillings like attention and admiration, love and loyalty. At my shoulder, and under the glamor, both my wings fluttered, sharing the solar flare that ran right through my body.
I stiffened. The motion of my wings brought me back to my senses. Along with the curious sensation of being watched. Somewhere close by I felt the almost silent susurration of breathing. And perhaps it was my enhanced Valkyrie senses but the dull throb of a third heartbeat filtered to my ears. A calm and steady beat that said the owner was neither afraid nor nervous at being caught.
I pushed Aidan away, needing air, needing to dissipate the heat between us. Needing not to be caught in such a compromising situation. But Aidan was lost in the headiness of passion. I wasn't sure if it was his need for me or the sapping of his strength by his resurrection, but he refused to let go. Tears filled my eyes as I returned the embrace, despite the suspected voyeur.
This was no longer passion. It was a deeper need too, and I couldn't bear to deny him what I also longed for. The connection to another human.
A shadow flitted by at the edge of my vision. I strained to make out any features, barely catching any details. Just that it was another girl. With fair hair and glittering eyes. I couldn't be absolutely certain, as I was unable to see wings to verify it, but some instinct told me I was in real trouble.
Astrid had just witnessed me making out with Aidan.
Chapter 29
I donned my armor the next morning with an undeniable sense of dread. All I could think about was what Astrid planned to do. She really had the dirt on me now.
Turi fluttered about the room, filled with excitement for me. "Your very first procession since your arrival at Asgard!" she said in a sing-song voice. I barely heard her. Memories of last night shadowed my thoughts.
I'd left Aidan standing in the dark and fled through the kitchen. By the time I reached Sigrun I'd decided I wouldn't tell her about Astrid. Guilt ripped me up but I didn't want her to stress over being caught. I was really hoping Astrid hadn't seen Sigrun around Valhalla. I'd rather go down alone than take my friend with me.
At the training field, the news wasn't good. "The procession is delayed until after lunch," Fenrir announced. Unhappy murmurs rumbled through the gathered Valkyries. Fen growled. "In the meantime, we will practice our sword techniques."
Thankfully, my brand new ancient sword was strapped to my waist, its bright gleam hidden inside the intricately patterned scabbard. It wouldn't be my first time raising the great sword of Brunhilde, but I felt a multitude of butterflies doing the rumba in my tummy. Fenrir set us out on the field, keeping me to one side. Satisfied with the rest of the groups, he positioned himself before me. I mimicked his stance.
He drew his sword from his side with a smooth and silent flourish. The perfect approach to a smooth kill. When I did the same, it had a completely different effect. As I slid the sword from its scabbard, it sang. The metal slid out of its casing, ringing like a soft bell.
Every Valkyrie on the field slowed to a dead halt and turned to stare at me. Astrid's face whitened with rage. A small cluster of women whispered and Brunhilde's name floated to me. Sigrun sent me an encouraging smile, but Astrid's expression sent chills through my very bones.
Fenrir tried to keep a straight face, but it was so easy to see he was incredibly amused. By what, I was unsure. Was he enjoying my discomfort or Astrid's anger or the Valkyries' surprise? But his eyes were only on me.