Page 50 of Soul of Fire

He has not slept,Baldur confirmed, his voice quieter than usual. Probably exhausted like Arik.But we will be fine. He was concerned for you.

Scaly traitor,Arik huffed without rancor, pulling the key to the archives from his pocket and examining it.

The silver chain made me think of the one Sigrid had placed around my neck. “You really think your mother has a necklace like Sigrid’s?”

“I do.” He took my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine. “Or she did. I need to know how Sigrid got it, and if it was the same one or if there are several. I’m hoping she’ll know something about it that could help us.”

“And you want to say goodbye.”

Arik sighed and pressed his forehead to mine. “She would be furious if I didn’t take you for a final visit.”

“Probably. I am a delight, after all.”

Arik smiled, and I felt the urgent need to protect this man at all costs.

“So, we have a tiny problem,” Branka drawled as she and Jorgen emerged from their room. Branka was wearing one of the blue robes Arne had pilfered, but Jorgen was wearing full battle attire as if ready to fight off a horde of draugr. “Or rather, a big problem.”

“The robes are too fucking small,” Jorgen growled. “Can’t get it over my shoulders.”

“Which means…” Branka tossed me the other robe. The fabric was horrible and scratchy, and I frowned down at it as my mind tried to catch up.

“Absolutely not,” Arik growled, plucking the robe from my hands and tossing it back at his friend. “Try harder.”

“If you want me to tear the damn thing, I’m happy to.” Jorgen crossed his arms, pinning Arik with a serious look. “I don’t like the idea much either.”

“What idea?” Three sets of eyes met mine, and realization hit.

Me. I would have to go.

“I can do it.”

“No.” Arik’s tone was so final, I almost didn’t argue.

Almost.

Kjære—

No, Eisa. You are not leaving my side.

Idunnbristled, torn between annoyance and desire.No human man will order me around.I knew my eyes must be glowing blue.

“We’ll give you two a minute,” Branka suggested, tugging Jorgen a short distance away.

Careful.Baldur growled in both our minds, and I knew the warning was for Arik as much as it was for me.

“I can do this,” I repeated aloud, crossing my arms over my chest. I knew perfectly well what Arik feared, but Idunn’s defiance was leaking into me.

“We will find another way.” Silver shone from Arik’s eyes, his voice laced with the edge of Baldur’s growl. “End of story.”

“There is no other way,” I insisted, cupping his face to force him to meet my gaze.I know that you’re scared. I know. But I am nother.

Before I could say another word, Arik pulled me into an embrace and buried his face into the crook of my neck.I can’t lose you, Kjære.

You won’t.I reveled in the scratch of his face against me, the feel of his silken hair sliding through my fingers. Life had tried to beat this wonderful, caring man down, and I would be damned if he would lose one more thing.You won’t, Arik. I swear it.

Arik nodded, but he didn’t release me.I know you can do this. I know you’ll have Branka and Idunn and Bryndis to protect you. But if something were to happen—

Nothing will happen!