Valkyrie's Sacrifice (Academy of Immortals 3)

He nods in agreement. It’s unlike any of us to just give up, even if the odds of us winning are slim.

“Tell me then, why did you give me the ring if it doesn’t matter.”

“Consider it my thank you for stopping those assholes from assaulting me, even when you didn’t know it was me.”

“I told you I wasn’t a rapist.”

“You did.”

The flicker of the lamplight makes his features sharper than normal. “What I haven’t told you is that you’re the only female that’s ever truly challenged me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ve pushed back on me since we were at the Nead. Even when you agreed to sleep with me, it was on your terms. I took what I could get.”

“Stop,” I say, smoothing the blanket over my legs. “I gave you the ring—no need to flatter me.”

He leans forward. The room is so small it makes us very close together. “I’m not flattering you, Valkyrie, I’m telling you the truth. I’m admittin

g my weakness. You’re my weakness. I took whatever scraps you’d give me. Any opportunity you’d throw me a bone.” He laughs darkly. “Back at the Academy, I took one for the team with Roland. You hated me for it, but it was the only way I could protect you. I intervened when you didn’t even realize you needed help. I did it because I believe in this cause. I believe in you.”

I swallow and see the ring suddenly reappear between his fingertips. “I realize now that you finally gave this to me because you don’t think this ring means anything. Well, I’m keeping it. I want it. I deserve it. I claim it.”

He slides it back on his finger and a jolt runs through me, settling in my gut. He feels it. I feel it and before I have a chance to respond he presses his mouth to mine, kissing me long and slow, deep with passion. He pulls away too soon and says, “You let me know when you’re ready to admit the same thing.”

He stands and exits the cabin, leaving me alone. Is he right? Did I only give it to him because I’ve given up? That I don’t believe in the bond anymore? I do believe in Armin and Rupert. I know for certain Agis, wherever he is, believes in his connection to me. Every day I feel him getting closer, the cord a little tighter. I shouldn’t be surprised Lucifer kept the God of Death for last. Letting him toil in hell a little bit longer. Knowing Agis, he probably believes he’s finally been called home.

But Agis isn’t my concern right now. The immortal that just left my room, wearing the ring I’d finally given him, that’s my concern. I know he’s part of this and I realize that he’s loyal.

If I believe in the others, why can’t I believe in him?

Or maybe, the real question is…why don’t I believe in us?

I leap off the bed and run to the door, swinging it open. Marshal is at the end of the narrow corridor, head bent from the low ceiling. The boat lists to the side and I rest my hands against the walls to keep myself upright. “Wait!”

He turns, stone-faced, but his eyebrows shoot up as his gaze rakes over my body. He swallows thickly. I look down and see that I’m wearing a flimsy silk and lace top with matching shorts—something I assume was under that ridiculous dress.

I did not come out here to get sidetracked. I came out here to…

“I want it,” I say.

“Want what, exactly?”

Oh, he’s not going to make this easy on me.

“You. I want you to be part of this. To be part of me.”

My ring burns against my skin, happy that I’m relenting. Marshal crosses his arms and leans against the wall. “How do I know you don’t just want to use me for my body.”

I laugh. And curse. Because what the hell?

But what he said before must be true, that he’ll take whatever I will give him, because he walks back toward me. “Do you mean it?”

“I do.”

“And we can stop fighting?”

“I doubt it,” I confess, “that seems to be built into our DNA.”