Royal Rebel (Alfheim Academy

by S. T. Bende

  “When you’re right, I—”

  “Shh.” Viggo placed his finger to my lips. “I love the way you stand up for what you believe in, regardless of what anyone else is going to think, and no matter how steep the personal cost. And I love the fierce loyalty you show to your friends. I love that spark inside of you, and even though it pushes me to the brink of insanity, it also pushes me to be the very best version of myself I can possibly be. You bring that out in everyone you meet—making the world a better place, one inspiration at a time. You shine like nobody else I’ve ever met—that’s why you’re my Glitre. And that’s why, whatever happens today, I will be right at your side. We’re a team—now, and always. Because . . .” Viggo shifted his finger so it crooked beneath my chin. He pressed gently upward and dipped his own head until my lips were nearly level with his. “I love you.”

  Breath whooshed from my chest at the declaration. Viggo Sorenssön loved me. Me. A half dark elf with a price on her head and a realm to rule. A girl who’d somehow managed to drag her friends down a road from which we might not emerge. Somehow, in spite of all my mistakes, all my shortcomings, and all my liabilities, he loved me anyway. And I . . .

  My eyes met Viggo’s in a moment of absolute clarity. “I love you, too,” I whispered. “I think I always have. Even when you were driving me nuts back in our third year with your—”

  Viggo’s lips stopped my words. All coherent thoughts flew out of my mind as he pressed his mouth to mine and kissed me as if he might never stop. His hands reached up to grasp my hair, his fingers tangling in the fine, blond strands. I pressed myself closer to him, the heat searing from his body into mine. Warmth blossomed in my chest, and a pulse shot from my heart due south. Its slow burn sent my hands on a downward trajectory, and I pressed my palms to the small of Viggo’s back and pulled his hips against mine. A low groan escaped his lips, the vibration sending a fresh wave of emotion coursing through me. I mentally eyeballed the couch. What would happen if I dragged Viggo over to it, ripped off the tank top that was obstructing my view of his exquisite chest, and just went for it alrea—

  “Oh! So that’s what’s keeping you guys.” Elin’s voice pulled me out of my lusty fog. “Don’t mind us; we’re just trying to stop the end of the world in the other room.”

  Mortification doused me like a firehose. I tried to step away from Viggo, but he slid his hands from my hair to my back and held me close.

  “We’ll be there in a minute,” he said calmly. “We were just finishing up.”

  “Mmm.” Elin’s eyes slid from Viggo’s hands to his hips. “Well, don’t be too thorough. Signy’s right on the other side of that door.”

  “Shut up, Elin!” Fireballs flamed my cheeks.

  One corner of Elin’s mouth turned up in a smile as she backed slowly toward the exit. “I just meant you might want to be a little more discreet. Or, you know, wait until your aunt isn’t, like, fifteen feet away.”

  “Goodbye, Elin,” Viggo said pointedly.

  My bestie snickered all the way into the other room.

  When the door clicked closed behind her, I raised my head and met Viggo’s amused grin. “I guess we’d better go help them.”

  “We will.” Viggo bent down to give me one more languid kiss. My insides pooled into a puddle of pure hormones. When he finally pulled away, I had to lean into him to remain standing. “You okay?”

  “Great,” I squeaked. “Never better.”

  “Me too.” Viggo rested his forehead against mine. “I’m glad we cleared the air.”

  “You and me both,” I murmured.

  We stood there for a moment, just holding onto each other in what might well be our last moment of peace. Viggo’s heart pounded against my chest, whether coming down from our kiss or gearing up for our fight, I didn’t yet know.

  I slipped my hands up so my palms rested lightly against Viggo’s chest. Then I lifted my chin and looked at him questioningly. “So, we’re good?”

  “We’re always good.” His dimple popped again. “Ready to save Idris?”

  I nodded. “And destroy my grandfather.”

  It was time to get back to work.

  Chapter 14

  THE FOREST WAS DARK as I crept toward the waterfall. High winds had delayed the faeries’ arrival, so it was nearing dawn when Maja’s parents and their warrior backup reached the capital. Once there, Maja and her mother, Sirra, took a small protection unit and headed straight to the waterfall to scout the best location from which to work their unusual style of magic. Her father, Rafe, stayed behind. He and his ground captain huddled with Viggo, Ondyr and Signy, going over our plan until it was indelibly ingrained in each of their heads. There was no room for error on this mission. And if we failed . . .

  Don’t think about it. Just focus on the job.

  I snaked my hand around Viggo’s as we approached the edge of the forest. This was our stopping point. Rafe had used älva dust to cloak him along with the rest of the airborne team, and they’d be keeping watch from the cypress range on the mountain adjacent to the waterfall. The ground unit, led by Signy and Ondyr, was to hide in the cave looping behind the fall’s spout, emerging only after Rankin was debilitated. And I was to fly in solo, fully exposed, without my beloved Dual Sword to keep me safe. The only protections I had were my powers, my friends, and whatever dark magic Maja and her mom were conjuring at that very moment. No big deal.

  “Stay safe.” Viggo took my sword from my hand. He now held one in each of his, double-fisting the Dual Swords that were forged from the same metal as Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir, and had protected Alfheim for centuries. Double NBD.

  “You too.” I reached up to tighten my ponytail. Then I checked that the laces of my combat boots were secure. Distractions were the last thing I needed. Plus, doing something so mundane soothed my mind.

  “Remember, if anything goes wrong I’ll extract you before you can say, ‘Go to Helheim, Rankin.’”

  “Good to know.” My eyes met Viggo’s in a worried stare. “Look out for Signy. And Ondyr. And Rafe. And, well . . . all of them.”

  Viggo’s gaze softened. “You’ve got this, Glitre.”

  With a tight nod, I stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. Then I turned toward the mountain, bent my knees, and launched myself into the air. “I’ll see you on the other side,” I called down.

  “We’ll be ready,” he vowed.

  Gods, I hoped he was right.

  I didn’t look back as I flew to my waiting point on a rocky outcrop halfway up the hill. The ground unit was already in place in their mountain-top cave. The airborne team was positioned behind the wall of cypress trees. Once Viggo was in place, I would make my move.

  And hope I wasn’t signing my own death warrant.

  After a few minutes, my com glowed softly. Viggo was in position. It was go time.

  Breathe, Aura. You’ve got this.

  Gulp.

  Before I could chicken out, I stood on my toes, took to the sky, and followed the sound of rushing water. As I swung around the mountain, the wind blasted me with a damp spray. Icy drops coated my torso, and I pulled back before I got completely soaked. Redirecting myself, I flapped hard, fighting against the breeze as I halved the distance between me and the mountaintop. With a final burst of power I reached the ledge, careful to stay clear of the mist whipping off the stream. The wind had thrown me off-course, and I ran the rest of the way to my mark. Maja and Sirra could only protect me for as long as I stayed in their range. And with Rankin being so powerful, I didn’t want to leave a single thing to chance.

  Not when so many lives were on the line.

  I’m set. I projected the thought to my dark faerie friend. I knew she’d heard me when I felt the tingle of a familiar energy slip around my bubble. It carried Maja’s resonance, but with a slight edge. This protection was heavy—marred with a darkness unlike the ones we’d used in the past. Something sinister snapped around its edges, forming tiny sparks along the outside of my space. I had no doub
t it would deflect whatever Rankin threw at it. The only question was, how long would it last? Hopefully, we’d only need a few minutes to extract Idris and take Rankin down, but could I manage to last that long? And, for that matter, could my friends?

  Whatever you’re doing, knock it off. The voice that filled my head wasn’t mine. I froze, terror locking my body down as I realized someone had managed to hack my brain. If it was Rankin, I was totally screwed.

  Relax. It’s just me—Maja. I exhaled in relief as I recognized my friend’s familiar, sarcastic edge.

  Oh my gods, how are you doing this? I released my shoulders from where they’d taken up residence beside my ears.

  It’s part of the protection. Keep walking; you look suspicious, Maja sent.

  Right.

  I dragged one foot, then the other, toward the cypress Rankin had indicated as our meeting point. He was nowhere to be seen, which meant he was probably lurking out of view, just waiting to ambush me. I forced myself to stare straight ahead—I didn’t want to give away the position of my backup.

  You’re doing great, Maja assured me. He doesn’t know where they are—though he suspects someone’s here. He’s not stupid, just evil.

  Truth, I sent back.

  Now, blend up your dark/light swirl. Hurry—he’s on the move.

  My breathing quickened, and I hastily drew a dose of light up from the earth. I let it fill my body, then opened myself to its opposite. I’d always felt the energy as a swarm of angry bees, and this time was no different. They descended on me in droves, pouring into the tiny hole I created in my protection as if I were the last flower in the patch. Whether their intensity was due to the proximity of a truly evil presence, or whether it was because they sensed my desperation, I couldn’t tell. I only knew that this time when I blended them with the tiny white lights swirling inside of me, the merge burned in a way it never had before. My body felt as if it was filled with live wires, each popping and sparking like a downed power line in a storm. Either I was mounting the defense of my life, or . . .

  You’re not dying. I could practically hear Maja’s eye roll. It’s a perfectly normal enhancement given the wrap my mother and I have around you.

  A heads-up would have been nice, I grumbled.

  Suck it up, Princess.

  Don’t call me that!

  Sorry. Maja chuckled. Queen.

  Ugh. Just do your job.

  He’s moving.

  At Maja’s warning, I pulled my shoulders back. Every nerve in my body pinged to life as I stirred the double helix inside and drew its silver energy into my palms. If Rankin made a move, I would blast him all the way to Helheim.

  If he didn’t kill me first.

  Lose the negativity, Maja ordered. He’s fifty yards away, at your five o’clock. All teams are in place. Make your move.

  I slowly turned around, so my back was to the waterfall’s ledge. As predicted, my grandfather walked slowly across the mountaintop. The wind whipped his silvery-white ponytail across his neck, and he casually brushed it away. He wore the same long, silver tunic as before, only this time his sleeves were marred with dirt. Idris must have put up a fight when he’d taken her. Hopefully she still had some scrappiness left. If the fury in his eyes was any indication, we were going to need every possible advantage we could get.

  “I told you to come unarmed.” Rankin’s words dripped with hatred.

  “Do you see any weapons?” I challenged.

  “I feel yours,” he countered. “Drop your protections, granddaughter. Now.”

  “It’s Your Majesty,” I corrected. “And that wasn’t part of our deal.”

  “I told you to come alone and unarmed.” Now he was thirty yards away.

  Bring him closer, Maja urged.

  How? I sent back.

  Just keep him talking.

  “I am alone.” My calm voice stood in marked contrast to the panic rising in my gut. Every fiber of my being was revolting at being this close to Rankin. The sensation was made worse by the frenetic buzzing of the swarm inside my chest. Down, bees.

  “And unarmed?” As predicted, Rankin kept walking. Now he was just twenty yards away. “Drop your shield, Aura.”

  “Not until you hand over Idris,” I challenged. “That was our deal.”

  “And I never go back on my word.” Rankin snapped his fingers and my friend appeared at his side. Panic burst from my chest at the sight of Vanaheim’s crown princess bound by thick, black cords, and gagged with what looked to be a dark magic-laced cloth. Her head lolled listlessly against her chest, and her eyes were firmly closed—whether because she’d passed out, or because she didn’t want to see the monster in front of her, I couldn’t tell. The only thing I knew for sure was that my friend was in trouble. And I was the only one who could help her.

  “Hand her over,” I demanded.

  “Drop your shield,” Rankin countered.

  I narrowed my eyes. “You first.”

  A low chuckle came from Rankin’s throat. The sound of it set my teeth on edge. “You have fight, granddaughter. I’ll give you that.”

  “Give. Me. My. Friend,” I growled.

  “Fine.” Rankin waved his hand lazily. “But you should know, I’ve placed a sleep lock on her.”

  “What the Helheim is a sleep lock?”

  “A curse,” he said calmly. “One only I can lift. One wrong move on your part, and . . .” Rankin mimed slitting his throat.

  Skit.

  We’ll deal with that later, Maja pressed. Just get her away from him.

  But his magic is—

  I SAID NOW.

  My breath hitched at the roar inside my head. Stretching out my arm, I shot a beam of silver light from my palm. As it snaked around Idris’ waist, I wrenched my hand back. Rankin’s eyes widened as Idris launched across the mountaintop, easily covering the twenty yards that separated us in the time it took me to release a breath. She landed beside me with a heavy thud, her body folding on top of itself in an uncomfortable-looking ball.

  “I kept my part of the bargain,” Rankin said calmly. “And now—”

  He broke off as a blinding beam of light shot up from the ground. It surrounded me and Idris, encasing us in a thick, white tube.

  We’re pulling Idris. Stay where you are! Maja ordered.

  Her order was moot. The energy coming off whatever surrounded me overwhelmed my senses to the point where I couldn’t move, couldn’t see; I could barely think. Everything was white—pure, blinding, brilliant white. For one blissful moment, I was encased in light.

  And then Rankin attacked.

  Chapter 15

  THE DARK ELF LASHED out. A thick, black bolt slammed into the tube just as Idris and I began to lift upward. The motion halted whatever Maja and her mom were doing, and I landed on my backside with a heavy thwack. Ignoring the pain that jolted up my spine, I scrambled to my feet and grabbed Idris by the hips. Since she was still unconscious, I was able to maneuver her without resistance. Before Rankin could strike again, I bent my knees and spread my wings.

  Extract us again, I ordered Maja. I’m going to fly us out.

  He’s locked in on you, Maja warned. I won’t be able to pull you both.

  Then take Idris. I didn’t hesitate. I’ll take care of myself.

  But that means—

  DO IT!

  A second bolt rammed into the tube, and I sent one final thought to Maja.

  NOW!

  Light surged through the tunnel. It’s go time. I bent my knees, tightened my grip on the crown princess, and pushed every ounce of strength I had into launching her into the air like a Midgardian cheerleader. Maja’s pull was already drawing Idris upward, and with my additional boost, my friend moved swiftly up the near-blinding tube. She sailed higher, passing quickly through the white tunnel before abruptly disappearing. Maja must have placed some kind of portal at the end, because one minute I had a clear view of Idris rotating higher, and the next she was just gone.

  She’s okay? I
asked.

  We have her, Maja responded. Is there any way you can follow her up?

  I don’t think so. But I’ll try.

  I bent my knees and tried to jump, but my feet were stuck firmly to the dirt. Spreading my wings, I tried to lift myself with my other appendages, but they weren’t strong enough to break whatever hold Rankin had on me. I was trapped—for the moment, at least. And if I didn’t think fast, this wind-blown ledge was going to be my grave.

  Think, Aura . . . I bit down on my bottom lip as a third bolt rammed the tube. Then a fourth. Rankin was doubling down on his attack. He clearly was a master of darkness—but then, he’d had a lifetime to conquer skills I’d only just begun to learn. I wasn’t going to overpower him—not even with Maja and Sirra fighting him with me. The only way I could beat Rankin . . .

  That’s it! I pushed the thought at Maja. We let him in—let him take control of me.

  Are you insane?

  Probably. But it’s the only way we’re going to overpower him. We have to use his own power against him.

  I think you inhaled too much älva dust. I could practically hear Maja’s snark. There’s no universe in which allowing Rankin any kind of control over you is at all a good idea.

  A fifth jolt rocked the tube, forming a massive crack in its white surface. I stumbled as the crack deepened, wrapping all the way around my casing and breaking it clear in half. The tube that had protected me from my grandfather dissipated, melting into a cloud of fog before blinking out of existence as if it had never been there at all.

  Oh, gods.

  Blast him, Maja urged. It will give you enough time to run and—

  Her words fell silent as a thick, black smoke coiled like a snake around my feet. It wound its way up my legs, constricting as it moved and holding me firmly in place. It continued up my body, squeezing my chest in its vise-like grip, and I gulped down air as if I were drowning. For all I knew, I was. I had no idea what Rankin had planned, but I knew I needed to stay alive long enough to figure out how to survive.