Jewels and Feathers (Race Games 3)

CHAPTERFORTY-EIGHT

The crowd was deafening around them as they cheered, making Muni’s ears ring. The large teleprompters before them flashed with their image on the screen and the third-place ribbon. They’d finished in third, after all of that.

“Who all survived?” Muni asked, and Brin began tapping at the tablet.

“The elves won. The wolves finished second. We’re third.” He frowned. “The only other survivor was the Kelpie team and the necromancer passenger.”

But the rest had died, Muni realized sadly. So many lives lost. For what? Entertainment, and the possibility of a little bit of money.

Releasing the harness across her chest, Muni climbed from the car, her men behind her, as she stared at the crowd cheering for them. Her eyes searched and found Councilman Deadmont. He attempted to appear calm but when her eyes found him, marked him, he withdrew in the crowd, off to hide like a rat in a hole.

Danica rushed from the crowd onto the track, her smile bright as she came up to them and threw her arms around Muni. Muni tensed for a second before settling into the hug, accepting the friendship so clearly offered.

“Congratulations!” Dani exclaimed, pulling back. “You look like you’ve had a go of it.”

“You have no idea,” Eirik grunted, pushing his hair from his face when a drone came in close to record them.

Theo appeared beside Danica without Muni ever seeing him walk up. One moment, no one was there. The next, he stood beside Danica. The High Wizard always was one for dramatics.

“It seems we’ll have much to discuss,” he purred, the corner of his eyes crinkling, but for the first time, Muni saw worry there. She’d never see the High Wizard worried. “You’ve discovered more than we hoped for, Lady Munin.”

Muni bowed her head in respect. “Thank you for your help when I most needed it.”

Theo St. James, High Wizard of the North, bowed his head to Odin’s spy in respect, and the crowd gasped though they couldn’t hear the exchange. “I’ll see you soon,” he said, and then just as he’d come, he was gone a second later. There was no puff of smoke, no sound. He was just gone.

The crowd gasped again.

Danica rolled her eyes. “I think that one loves to keep a sense of mystery around himself.” She smiled and reached out to hug Muni again before stepping away. “I’ll leave you four to relax. We’ll catch up later.”

And then the four of them were left alone despite the crowd of people around them.

Muni turned to Brin, Vidar, and Eirik, her eyes hollow as she realized the Race Games were done, and what that meant.

“The spell is complete,” she murmured, her fingers twisting together in anxiety. “You’ll either all return as one or stay as one. There’s no in between for the spell. I’ve no idea when that time will come. . .” She looked between them, seeing their faces, memorizing them. “I understand no matter which decision you—”

“I’m staying,” Brin growled before looking at Eirik. His expression was almost threatening.

“Of course, I’m staying,” Eirik added.

Both Brin and Eirik looked toward Vidar, but Muni couldn’t fathom looking into his eyes and seeing the truth there. She’d seen how he’s looked when his wife had appeared, how he’d ran out to her. It only made sense he would return to Valhalla and wait for her more despite knowing he’d be waiting an eternity. Muni couldn’t fault him for it, wouldn’t blame him. No matter how much it hurt, she wouldn’t beg him to stay.

She looked down at the ground, afraid of what she’d see in his eyes.

Strong fingers cupped her chin and lifted until she was looking into his blue eyes so like the waters of home.

“I’m staying,” he whispered, and her heart stopped and restarted.

Then, before she could throw herself at them, they were already there, their arms wrapped so tightly around her, she couldn’t breathe. She didn’t care. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

The drones zoomed in on their embrace and the crowd began to chant her name, but Muni didn’t pay attention to them.

She simply melted in the arms of the three men who’d stolen her heart. She’d resisted in the beginning, but in the end, she’d handed her heart over without consciously knowing when it had happened. She’d taken the biggest risk of all, and it had paid off.

Bravery was necessary in life, whether bravery of the soul, or bravery of the heart.

It was always best to remember, she who dares, wins, and though they hadn’t won the race, Muni had won the greatest battle of all.

Love. . .was always worth fighting for. . .