I flip my arm over and we find the valknut on my inner arm.
“I think this is a response to the attack,” Kirk trails his thumb over the sensitive skin.
I relish his gentle touch.
“The triangle is a sign of Fenrir’s blessing.”
“No more secrets.” Cadoc forces himself into a sitting position and fixes his icy stare on me.
“Yeah, I hear you.” I clear my throat. “Is everyone still in one piece?”
My knees weaken with relief at the affirmative answers
“Wait there’s something.” Kirk moves closer and places a hand on my head.
“What?”
“It’s a hair stick.” He eases it out and hands it to me. The metal has been twisted into beautiful
spirals with the head of a wolf on the end.
“Have you ever seen this before?” Kirk asks.
“Never, but it’s beautiful.” I study the piece, seeing the valknut etched into the side of the wolf. There’s latent power in its smooth surface.
“I think it’s a gift.” I trace the intricate details.
“For what?” Fell asks.
“I guess we’ll find out.” I tie my hair in a knot, using my new hairpin to hold it in place.
Fell narrows his eyes. “Were you on a weird island?”
“You saw that too?” This is the first time anyone else has seen beyond the veils with me.
“Yeah, it was strange,” Bo chimes in.
“Start from the beginning and don’t leave anything out, Brat.”
They all stare and I know I’m in for a lengthy night full of questions and judgment. It’s strange being the center of attention from these men who’ve all played different roles in my life at one time or another.
The ritual shifted something in our group, I’m not sure I was ready for.
“She wasn’t the only one marked,” Bo holds up his wrist.
Uruz, the symbol for the wild ox makes me laugh.
Fitting.
“What does this mean?”
“Why do I have the thorn?” Cadoc adds, holding up his arm. Etched into Cadoc’s skin is Thurisaz. A powerful force that could cause destruction and change, matches him. His connection to Thor’s rune as a warrior also tracks.
“Maybe it’s a blessing. You are a warrior who keeps us safe,” I trail my finger down my heated sternum.
“What’s yours Fell?” I’m not sure I want to know.
“Perdhro.”
“Mystery.” I force the words out on a wavering voice.
I pull down the bodice of my dress to reveal the new bind rune made up of all the runes they now wear on their wrists.
“In my vision, we were all connected by a silver cord—”
“True mates?” Fell tilts his head. “Historically that’s the sign of a true mate match.”
“It is?” I soak up the new information. Knowledge lets me feel more in control.
Maybe his history pursuit will come in handy after all.
“Surely not,” Bo scoffs.
Cadoc grunts. “It would explain why the Volva placed us all together.”
“I refuse to believe my fate’s always been entwined with yours.” Bo stands. The link between us closes abruptly, shattering the strange sense of harmony.
His denial hurts. A whimper dies in my throat. He stalks away, and for a moment I miss him. Cadoc presses against me and inhale his scent to ground myself. This wasn’t how I planned to handle any of this. I can’t need them. It’ll only lead to pain.
