Crown of Crimson (Underworld Gods 2)

So you can hear me? the gruff voice says again. Been some time since any human could.

Oh hell. I’m speaking with the unicorn, aren’t I? It wasn’t just Sarvi I was able to communicate with telepathically. Apparently, I can communicate with all of them.

My mind goes blank. I can’t really think of a response, either to Rasmus or the unicorn as another mountain peak comes rushing toward us through the clouds, changing from a vague shadow to a solid threat. The unicorn veers up just in time, flapping its wings furiously, and I’m hanging onto Rasmus’s jacket for dear life.

Sorry again, the unicorn says. I’m not used to flying over the Mountains of Vipunen. If you could get your shaman to quell the storm, that would help immensely. Otherwise, the lot of us are going straight to Oblivion.

“Rasmus!” I lean forward and yell in his ear. “Turn off the fucking storm! The unicorn is having problems.”

Navigating, the unicorn fills in. I’m having problems navigating. And the name is Alku.

Hanna, I introduce myself, just before Alku nearly flattens us into yet another dark mountain peak and I scream again.

“I’m getting so fucking confused,” Rasmus mumbles.

“The unicorn is talking to me!” I yell at him. “Inside my head. Just like I’m able to communicate with Sarvi.”

“You can talk to Sarvi?” Rasmus says with a hint of jealousy.

You know Sarvi? Alku asks, its gruff voice growing lighter this time.

“Yes,” I say hastily. “Look, Rasmus, you said you created this storm as a diversion in order to get me out of Shadow’s End, but I think we’re far enough away.”

“Fine,” Rasmus says after a moment. Suddenly his body goes stiff under my grip and my scalp prickles as a buzzing field of energy seems to envelop us, making me vibrate from the inside out. The feeling is so similar to one I had when I picked up Lovia’s sword.

It’s magic.

Suddenly the winds die down to a gentle breeze, the lightning stops flashing, the thunder fades. Even the ever-present clouds start to dissipate, just enough to lighten the sky to a dove gray.

In the sudden calm, I’m not thinking about the ragged black peaks of the mountains appearing mere meters below us like gnashing teeth, nor the telepathically talking unicorn, or the fact that I have my arms wrapped around a person that I can only hope is still trustworthy.

I’m thinking about Tuoni.

Death.

The God himself.

I’m wondering what this weather means, the fact that the clouds are thinning enough for the sun to come through. His moods control the weather, and the land had been cloaked in relative darkness since he first started his reign.

Until the two of us grew closer.

It may have been only physical for the both of us, but it brought in a visible change to the kingdom—sunshine. Brightness and light.

Which means at this exact moment in time, Death is in a good mood.

Does Death still think I’m waiting for him at the altar? Is that why there’s relative peace in the sky underneath Rasmus’ spell?

My stomach twists at the thought. It shouldn’t. I didn’t want to marry Death. I didn’t want to become his bride. And yet, part of me feels guilty for leaving this way. I wonder if he’ll feel betrayed. If it will be more than a matter of defeat, of losing, if he cares that it’s me that he lost.

You think too much, Alku’s voice pops in my head. It’s distracting.

“Sorry,” I mutter.

Rasmus flinches, trying to crane his head around to look at me. “Mind filling me in what you’re talking to my unicorn about?”

Alku snorts in protest. His unicorn? It asks in disgust. I’m merely doing the shaman a favor. Starting to regret it, mind you.

I press my lips together, holding back a smile. I’m so relieved that only Alku is picking up on my thoughts and Rasmus isn’t anymore. The more he knew what I was thinking, the less he’d understand. I’m not even sure I understand it myself.

“I’m trying to figure out where we’re going and what your plan is,” I say to Rasmus. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m still wearing my wedding dress. You haven’t filled me in on anything and we’ve nearly died twice over since you took me.”

“Took you?” Rasmus repeats in annoyance. “I saved you, Hanna. You know, part of me is starting to think you’d rather have stayed Death’s prisoner in Shadow’s End, forced to be his bride.”

Something inside me prickles. “I could have saved myself. I had a plan.”

“Oh really? And what was that exactly? You were literally seconds away from becoming Death’s bride. You’d be married right now had I not come in right on time.”

I purse my lips and think that over for a minute as Alku’s giant leathery wings beat rhythmically behind me. “How did you plan it that way? How did you know to create a diversion at the last possible minute?”