by Marie Medina
“I don’t like to think of the gods being that way. It’s not them doing it to you maliciously. It’s your actions bringing it about.”
“Hmmm.”
“I believe in you. I know you’re going to win.”
Ryden eyed him and lifted his plate again. “I felt a change in your attitude last night, but can I be honest?”
“Of course,” Owen said.
“I think you’re doing all you can to push your fear away and seem confident and sure for me. And it’s very sweet.”
“I don’t mean it to be sweet. I’m trying to be strong. For you.”
“You are strong, Owen. Perhaps I should have used that word instead.” He shook his head. “I twist myself in knots trying to say exactly the right thing with you, but somehow I always get at least one word out of place.” He took another bite of his burger and shook his head, but the teasing look in his eyes said it was done in affection.
“I’m … I’m sorry. I’m too sensitive. I want to be everything you need me to be.”
“You’re my mate. You’re already everything I need.”
I love you. I don’t care if it’s only been a week. I love you. “Glad you think so,” Owen said, wanting to say what he was thinking but unable to do so. It wasn’t just because they weren’t alone—he was terrified of losing this man he’d only had a few days with.
Ryden laughed softly. “You’re thinking something, and I’m going to let you keep it to yourself. For now.”
“Just worried and trying not to be,” Owen said. At least it was partially true.
“I’m scared, too. Do you realize that? I’ve lived under Harald’s rule almost two decades. I do respect him, even if we disagree. And even though I’m angry he threatened you, I wish I could simply take his place without killing him.”
“But what would the people say?”
“They might rise against me and say I hadn’t truly won the position as leader. Or they might surprise me. Four of the six council members seem to be in favor of me winning. I haven’t had any contact with other clan members, so I can’t be sure what anyone is thinking.”
“But the other two council members are Rafe and the man who tried to marry his daughter to Asmund.”
“Yes.”
“Rafe will be a problem, won’t he?”
“I’m sure he will be. I obviously won’t keep him on the council. But I can’t worry about that now.”
Owen sighed. “Vadik and the king are coming?”
“Yes. They’ll meet us in the morning. You’ll stay with them and Gregor. The king will bring guards as well. If anything goes wrong, he’ll take you all to the fae court.”
“I don’t like that.”
“Well, I do. It’s logical. And it will help me focus. I need to know you’re safe.”
“Why?” Owen asked, his tone sharper than he’d intended.
“Why? What a question,” Ryden said. He set his plate down again. “You want to know why I want you to be safe? Why it will make me feel better?”
Owen felt bad for being hostile with the challenge so close, but he just couldn’t hold it in. “I’m not sure why I said that. I’m sorry.”
Ryden took Owen’s plate and set it on the grass as well. He took one of Owen’s hands in his and said, “If I could love anyone, it’s you. If someone came up to us right now and said we’d been enchanted or tricked and that we weren’t really mates, I’d still care what happens to you. Still stay with you. When I win tomorrow, the first thing I’m going to do is make our vows official in the eyes of my people. Then, I’ll do as you asked and tell them there will be no new executioner and no more executions.”
“That’s a lot of words when you could have used just three,” Owen said.
“One thing about me that won’t change is my belief in the power of words. I don’t want to say anything I don’t mean. Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s hard work. Even for mates.”
“So we’re both scared to say it?”
Ryden looked down at their clasped hands. “We’re both scared, period. About everything.” He lifted his gaze. “What else is there to say?”
Owen wanted to drag Ryden back to his cabin and pull him into bed. He wanted to say those three words over and over again. But he also wanted to stay right where he was. The cookout had been his idea so that everyone could give Ryden their best wishes. He felt eyes on them, but he also felt that everyone here cared what was about to happen. He had a feeling Ryden had never experienced solidarity and a sense of community in this way. He picked up his plate with one hand and then pulled his other hand free of Ryden’s grip.
“I better eat this before you start nagging at me.”
Ryden watched him for a moment and then returned to his own food. “Yes, you’d better. I need my strength as well.”
Owen knew nothing else needed to be said.
Chapter Seven
Early the Next Morning
Ryden felt his mate eyeing him as he finished securing his hair in a braid. He’d noticed Owen doing this all week, and he gave his mate a faint smile. “I’ve been braiding my own hair for years. It’s not as impressive as you think,” he said.
Owen blinked a few times. “I was watching you braid it, but that’s not what I was thinking about.” He gave Ryden a once over. “Shouldn’t you be wearing leather or armor?”
Ryden looked down at the simple, loose-fitting linen clothes he wore. “No. We only wear armor in battle. I want to be able to move freely during the final challenge.”
“Is Harald a skilled fighter?”
“He certainly was years ago. I’m not sure now. He’s twice my age, but that does give him more experience. I’d say overall we’re evenly matched.”
“You’re better with your magic, right?”
“Yes, but we won’t be allowed to use it. An enchantment will be cast over the fighting ground within the arena. Any use of magic will trigger a binding spell.”
“That’s not fair.”
“You’re saying that because I’d have the advantage.”
“Of course I am!” Owen said, his voice cracking on the last word.
Ryden sighed, wishing he could find the right words for what felt like the hundredth time. He crossed the room and drew his mate into his arms. “If I thought I could keep us safe, we’d run away right now. But vengeance is something my clan rarely gives up on.”
Owen shivered and clutched at Ryden. “I wish I could go with you for the first two challenges. I want to know you’re being treated fairly.”
“There are witnesses who can object if a challenge seems impossible. Almost everyone wants it to come down to the final battle, so don’t start worrying they won’t speak up. All challenges are the will of the gods, and the people want the unworthy party eliminated.”
“Killed, you mean.”
“Yes, Owen, but I didn’t want to say it that way.” He kissed Owen’s cheek. “I wish you’d let me help you.”
“I don’t want a spell or a potion. We’ve already discussed this,” Owen said as he laid his head on Ryden’s chest.
A knock came at the door, and they both looked up.
“That’s the Alpha, I’m sure. The king must be here.” Ryden kissed Owen’s other cheek and went to open the door.
Gregor stood there on Owen’s porch, the king and Vadik standing a few feet away. “You’re ready?” Gregor asked.
Ryden nodded and went back to Owen, who hadn’t moved. “Time to go.”
Owen took his hand but didn’t move.
Ryden seized the chance to say, “If you want to stay here, I’m all for it. If—”
Owen cut him off with a shake of his head. “No. I’m going.”
His little mate took the lead and pulled him out of the cabin. Gregor and Asmund looked solemn, while Vadik stared daggers at Ryden as they began walking. Ryden nodded to the other man and said, “I believe we spoke on the phone.”
“We did,” Vadik said in a clipped tone. “Quite a situa
tion you’ve landed us in.”
“I didn’t plan it. Any of it.”
“Doesn’t matter. We’re still on the verge of war now,” Vadik said.
Asmund took a deep breath as he gently looped his arm with Vadik’s. “You’ll have to forgive him. I’m working on teaching him diplomacy, though some days I’m not sure why I’m even trying. He’s on edge because he doesn’t know what we’ll be up against if you lose.”
“Even if I do lose, which I won’t, there’s no reason for you to be concerned, Your Majesty,” Ryden said, feeling the Alpha’s gaze on him.
“And why is that?” Vadik asked.
“Because it’s extremely unlikely the clan will do anything.” He hesitated a few seconds, squeezing Owen’s hand. “This conflict doesn’t involve all of you, not really. And more importantly, our numbers are too low. It wouldn’t be worth the risk. My defeat alone would satisfy everyone, I think.”
Though Asmund’s face remained calm, something sparked in his eyes. “How low are they?”
“Very low. A battle with your troops alone would be disastrous for the clan.”
Asmund nodded slowly. “I’ve been wondering ever since Tasia came with her proposal. Based on what I saw during my father’s rule, such an alliance would’ve been unheard of unless the situation was dire.”
“And dire is exactly what it is. But there’s still hope.” They approached the Alpha’s home, and a dozen fae guards stood there waiting for them. The king opened a portal, and Ryden looked through it a moment before he said, “I have your word he’ll be safe?”
Owen squeezed his hand but made no sound as the king nodded. “I swear it,” Asmund said. “If they make any move against him or us, they’ll have a battle on their hands whether they want it or not.”
****
Owen heard everything they were saying, but he felt as if he wasn’t part of it. He wanted to put a stop to all of it, to beg the fae king to do something to fix it all. But others would suffer if the king did that. The only ones who deserved to suffer were those who opposed Ryden mating him, who were against any Fen finding a mate outside the clan. That had to end. As scared as he was of everyone within the clan except for Ryden, Owen could see there were good things about Ryden’s people. They’d been isolated too long and lost their perspective. If they could all learn to be like Vadik and Ryden, there was certainly hope.
Even if Owen couldn’t feel anything like hope right then.
I may wake up any moment. All of this has to be a dream. What could be more absurd than me being mated to someone like Ryden?
They’d stepped through the portal, and a guard escorted them across a field. They headed toward an outdoor arena, which looked like a throwback to the days of Roman gladiators. The man who’d met them was talking, but Owen couldn’t make himself listen. They entered the gray stone building through an archway, and Owen looked around. The structure appeared simple and plain at first, but wolf heads had been chiseled into the stone in many places. If there were really only just over two hundred members of the clan, Owen estimated they might all be present at the moment. Everyone Owen saw was pale with long braided hair and sharply pointed ears. Men and women alike wore leather and furs, and they all seemed to be armed with a sword or knife. Many went silent as they eyed the king. A few close by gave respectful bows, but no one made any move toward them. Electricity seemed to move over his skin, and he gripped Ryden’s hand tighter as he considered the fact that he and Gregor were the only ones there who couldn’t use magic. He took a deep breath, determined not to be afraid.
The guard gestured to a seating area that had been roped off. “Seats have been reserved for you and your companions,” he said to the king. “Your guards may move freely in and around the arena.” He glanced briefly at Owen. “If you don’t wish for interested parties to question him, I would suggest he not wander off alone.”
“I have no plans to leave his side,” Asmund said. “And let it be known that I’ll treat any threat to him as a threat against myself.”
“Of course. There is no quarrel with you or your court, and the clan has been instructed to observe peace-time etiquette very strictly.” The guard nodded and turned to Ryden. “When you’re ready.”
Ryden looked down at Owen, concern clear on his face. “Are you all right? You look ready to faint.”
Owen tried to smile, knowing Ryden could feel his tangled emotions. “Plenty of people here to catch me if I do.”
Taking him by the chin, Ryden said, “You’re going to have to stop being so flippant. We’re about to have a clan of fierce warriors to rule.”
“I don’t want to rule a clan. I just want you.”
Ryden took a deep breath and whispered, “My thoughts exactly, but I don’t see any other way.”
“There had to have been other ways.”
One side of Ryden’s mouth quirked up. “Perhaps I’m trying to impress you.”
“Now who’s flippant?” Owen said, moving closer as he tried to build up his courage. He lowered his voice and said, “Whatever happens … I love you.”
Ryden caressed his cheek but didn’t say anything.
“Did you hear me?”
“Of course I heard you. I’ve heard you loud and clear for days. It’s why I’m going to win.” Ryden kissed his forehead and then turned away before Owen could say or do anything else.
Owen stood there and watched him until he was out of sight. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he didn’t even look to see who it was until he’d been led to a seat on a long stone bench. Asmund gave his shoulder a squeeze before drawing back. Owen sat between the king and Vadik, and Gregor sat on the row in front of them, straddling the bench so he partially faced them. Half of the guards surrounded them while the other half dispersed after a few whispered orders from the king.
“So now we just sit here for who knows how long?” Owen said.
“Yes,” Asmund said.
The king seemed calm, but his gaze moved over the crowd, as intense and watchful as the gazes of the other two men. Owen watched the people around them as well, wondering what they were all thinking. “Why are they called dark elves?”
“It’s hard to explain to humans. They often assume dark means evil when added to the name of something.”
Evil seems to fit a lot of what I’ve seen so far. “Ryden said magic is neutral.”
“It is. People like the Sons of Fenrir have undeniably used magic to gain power. To build a strong army of warriors and achieve their own ends. I try to use it to help and heal, and I encourage my people to do the same. But we all have free will. Thinking in absolutes is dangerous. I would use my power to kill in a heartbeat if one I cared about was threatened. I’ve done things that might shock or frighten you.”
“I’m sure you have.” Owen looked down, thinking. “But you all draw your power from the same source?”
“Yes, from the world around us. Nature, the earth itself, is magical. And that power is neutral, as Ryden said. You mustn’t prejudge the people here. The members of this clan have been referred to as dark elves for centuries, ever since they began to set themselves apart because of their unique abilities. For all we know it could simply be because they hide themselves away up here in the dense forests of the far north.”
Vadik’s gaze cut over to the king for a moment, but then he resumed watching those moving around the arena. Owen thought about mentioning the fact that some were having trouble shifting, but he didn’t want to sidetrack the conversation. He looked the king in the eye and said, “You’re saying that to make me feel better.”
The king tilted his head. “Is it working?”
“How can it? I feel Ryden has been truthful with me, and lots of the things he’s told me scare me.”
Asmund sighed. “I meant what I said. Don’t prejudge. The Fens are known for using magic for what we would call evil. To dominate and conquer. To kill and destroy. To selfishly build their own power with no concern for others. There’s a lot of va
nity and pride involved.”
Owen felt a chill race up his spine. He’d wanted honesty, but he hadn’t expected such a blunt statement. “Is it safe to say such things here?”
Asmund arched one eyebrow and glanced around. “Let any one of them try something. They all feel my power, I’m sure. And they’ve had more than five minutes to think about the fact that their clan is dying out.” He touched Owen’s shoulder. “But my point is this. Every person has a choice. Every day. Every moment. I doubt Ryden is an anomaly. For all we know there might be many people here looking for change. I don’t feel much malice at all. Everyone is looking at you, and how do you know it’s not a hopeful curiosity?”
“You should’ve said that first,” Vadik said from beside Owen.
Asmund glanced at his mate. “You could’ve jumped in at any moment.”
“I’m not as good with words as you are,” Vadik said.
“Yes, your talents lie elsewhere,” Asmund said.
Owen looked between the two men as they smiled at each other briefly. “I’m sorry you had to return from your honeymoon for this.”
“There’s no reason to be sorry,” Asmund said. “I didn’t stop being a king because I fell in love.”
Owen worried his lower lip as he looked down to the area where Ryden would fight the clan leader. “What do you think is happening right now?”
“The truth?” Asmund asked.
“Yes, please,” Owen said.
“Ryden is conquering whatever task they’ve set for him. I feel quite sure of it. Though today was only the second time I’ve ever been around him, I’m impressed by what I sense from him. Strength of will and intelligence, as well as determination and a great deal of magical skill.” The king paused. “And he has an excellent motivator, as he said.”
“Me?”
“Of course.”
“I’m glad I told him how I feel, but I know better than to think it’ll make any difference.”
“He didn’t say the words, but Ryden does love you.”
“I’m trying to believe that,” Owen said.
Gregor turned toward him and said, “Do you listen at all when he talks to you? I’ve watched him say goodbye to you twice now. He’s in love. Someone like that doesn’t do anything he doesn’t want to. He’s about to overthrow his clan leader for you.”
