Chapter 24 | Ravinica

Chapter 24

Ravinica

I COULDN'T BELIEVE what I'd just done. I would have felt bad about lulling him into a false sense of security—seducing Magnus—if it hadn't felt so damn good.

Our bodies were meant for each other. The way my curled body fit into his after our hazy affair was like a puzzle piece perfectly slotting onto the board. I nuzzled my face against his chin, all but cooing for attention.

These damned men turned me into a sopping mess. They lit a fire inside me that burgeoned like an inferno and couldn't be put out.

Our first time together, in Mimir Tomes, Magnus Feldraug had absolutely demolished me. It had been the most primal, ravenous sex of my short life, both of us needy and greedy for each other.

He and Grim had awoken my sexual renaissance, and now there was no putting the lid back on the bottle. I was never satisfied, and just wanted more from them.

It was only fair I wore Magnus out this time, like he'd done the first time with me, leaving me a panting, addled heap on the floor. For Freya's sake, I remembered lapping spilled wine off the floor like a damned animal, while he slammed into me from behind.

Now, I was the animal. And he knew it. Pinning him beneath me, surrounding his cock in the warm pillows of my thighs, bringing him close to orgasm before planting myself on his length . . . these were all things I never would have imagined or had the audacity to do if he hadn't stirred this side of me to life in the first place.

I was so glad to have him back.

But now, sadly, it was business time. Not repeat business time, to continue our frolicking, but actual business time.

Splendid silence fell over us for a moment, burrowing deeper into each other. With my head on his chest, I could hear the thudding of his heart, showing me that Magnus was not a "dead man," or undead, in the ways people thought.

It's my blood flowing through his veins right now, no less.

For some reason, the thought of that excited me.

"I'll answer your questions, silvermoon," he finally said in a low rumble, breaking the peaceful quiet. "But I have some for you, too."

"Fine." I lifted my head for a second, saying, "You first," before resting it back on him and curling my arm over his chest to trace his tattoos and scars with my fingers.

"Did they harm you? The Ljosalfar."

I hesitated. Then, "Did it look like I was a hurt woman when I kissed Corym E'tar in front of you and the others, Magnus?"

"No. You looked like a woman freed."

I blinked, taking in his words. A woman freed? Must be nice.

"I don't know if I'd go that far . . ." I said at last, trailing off. "He ignited my magic, though. Brought it to life. I have no idea how. And he's a good man. A proud man." I smirked. "Sounds like some other men I know."

"If that kiss was meant to bring out the jealousy inside the rest of us . . . mission accomplished." His smile broke out on the top of my head.

I swore, I'd never seen the man smile except when he was around me.

With a snort, I said, "It wasn't for any of you. It was so Corym wouldn't forget me, jealous boy." When he laughed a bit louder, I added, "This isn't a dick-measuring contest, you know. For one, I've never seen his. And secondly, I doubt he has the piercings that make yours so enticing."

He scoffed at my playful jab. "I hope the questions you have for me are pertaining to the studs on my cock and nothing else."

"Nice try, bloodrender. I am curious though."

We both chuckled, quickly growing silent in the quiet dorm room. A thin layer of tension hovered over us as our words deepened, though it wasn't anything that worried me.

It was tough pulling the truth out of people, was all. Getting things off our chest, as it were, was an important part of rekindling our camaraderie after such a long time apart. It just wasn't easy, no matter which way you sliced it.

Magnus snapped the silence again. "What did you learn from the elves? Besides how to runeshape."

"That's . . . a little more complicated." With a sigh, I prepared myself for the tale. "Before being captured by them, Arne took me to a seer named Elayina, as I said before. A half-elf, like me, except she was ancient."

"I've heard the name."

I popped my head up, brow rising. "You have? I thought she was rather, um, secretive."

"I'm sure she is. But I'm studious, lass. Seen her name mentioned a few times during my studies in Mimir Tomes."

"Really? She's that old? To be in history books?"

He nodded slowly against my scalp.

I hummed, working my tongue against the inside of my cheek. "I'd love for you to point me to those passages, Magnus. If we can find some way to get hidden records again."

"Certainly, love. Tell me about these stories she showed you."

Here it comes. I was worried how Magnus would react. Though, in truth, if I had to tell anyone, I would want it to be him—the one who wouldn't bring strong emotions to the subject.

"They seemed like . . . visions? She called them memories. Whatever they were, I could tell they were true. From an age-old time. It was like I was standing abreast with the King Who Saw and the Deceiver in Gold. King Dannon and Lord Talasin." I furrowed my brow, recalling those fragmented tales in my head. "Except it was nothing like what the history books have taught us, Magnus. It was the humans who brought destruction to the elves here in Midgard, not the other way around. I . . . still don't know what to make of it. Only that it scared the shit out of me."

"Scared you, lass? Why?"

"Because it changes everything!"

He dropped his voice, a strange reticence in the tightness of his body. "Does it? Elves or humans starting the Taldan Wars. Does it really matter, at the end of it all? Those wars are over."

"But they were built on lies. Vikingrune Academy is keeping it from us. This dark secret they're holding, lying to us, telling us things happened in ways they didn't."

"Oh, I'm not doubting the academy is hiding things from us, silvermoon. I'm just trying to gauge the importance of those lies. Do you think they know about this mistaken history?"

I was a little surprised he wasn't more animated about this. I supposed I shouldn't have been. This was why I'd brought it up to him, after all—because he'd give a measured, logical approach.

"I don't know," I said with another sigh. "I plan on finding out."

"Then I plan on helping you."

I craned my neck to look past his chin, up into his gray eyes for the first time since our raunchy affair. There was a steely tint, clearer now when they'd been cloudy and lost before, during his malaise. "You do?"

"Of course. I go where you go, love. I know I'm not the only one who thinks that way." His jaw clamped, taking a moment to unclench. "Anyone who harms you must be punished and dealt with, lass, and I have a feeling this trajectory you're planning will lead you down some dangerous paths."

"I have a feeling you're right."

"I'll burn the world down without a second thought, and smile at its ashes, if it means keeping you safe, Ravinica."

My throat hitched, catching, lips slightly parting. He thumbed my chin, caressing me softly.

Bending his neck forward, Magnus kissed me lightly. Into my ear, he whispered, "I need you to understand that. You have allies here. I hope you consider me among your fiercest."

"You have no idea, Magnus," I drawled, and returned his kiss twofold, pressing my lips hard against his.

Our eyes closed and we became lost in each other.

When we pulled apart, the flare of his gray orbs darkening, I swallowed hard. "I suppose that's where my questions come into play. Because I have a feeling, after what you've just told me, that I know the answer."

"Ask anyway, silvermoon. I won't lie to you, and I won't keep anything from you."

I gulped, preparing for the worst. The inevitable. "What happened to Astrid Dahlmyrr and her friend, Magnus?"

"I killed them both."

My heart jumped to my throat, yet all I did was nod slowly. He said it so simply.

"I don't feel feelings like most people do, Ravinica. You know that. Which was why it alarmed me so badly to feel the utter rage at seeing you hurt in that hospital bed." His shoulders lifted in a shrug. "They were punished and dealt with, as I vowed to do. I hope you do not think me a monster."

I tried to speak past a dry throat, then shook my head, waited, and tried again. ". . . I don't, Magnus. I probably should. But I don't."

It was the dark pieces of this man that allured me.

He nestled closer to me, propping his arm across my side. "Good. I wish I was sorry for it. Yet if I had to do it again, I would. In a heartbeat."

I couldn't forget that I had been the one to order my men to bring Astrid to me, like some sort of Red Queen putting out a bounty.

Mostly this was my fault. The false letter from Astrid that brought me into her web—forging Arne's name, fooling me—I should have been savvy enough to spot it from a mile away.

I couldn't blame myself too badly, of course, because Astrid was the one who beat me up and sent me to the infirmary. She carried that out, and retaliation was out of my control at that point. She did that because she thought of me as a lesser being, inferior to her pureblooded vision of what it meant to be a student at Vikingrune Academy.

So strange, then, that she herself was also a bastard.

In a different life, one without so much competition and hate, perhaps we could have been allies.

Alas, what was done was done. I had the truth from Magnus, and it strangely didn't sadden me as much as I thought it would. It didn't scare me away from him, because I understood how he operated.

The fact he thought so dearly of me actually made me feel more loved. Not frightened about what he might do on my behalf.

I was starting to understand this intense pull I had over these men, this otherworldly draw that led to our bonding, was a powerful tool at my disposal. I had to use it with great responsibility, because they fucking meant business.

A thought came to me, which I couldn't quite connect yet with my own predicament. I felt a thread there—a commonality between them.

I had already been captured by Huscarls at the creek near Elayina's cave, before the elves arrived and stole me away. The Huscarls had planned to bring me back to Vikingrune and, I assumed, question me about things.

So why in all hells hadn't the academy arrested me the moment I stood on this hilltop again? I'd gotten a few odd stares and glares, but nothing like I expected.

I asked my question, searching for the thread. "Are you not worried about getting in trouble for those murders? I heard Grim was falsely accused for them."

Magnus cleared his throat. "Well, that's where my weakness comes from, interestingly enough. I struck a deal with the academy."

My head whipped up and I stared down at him from my side, palms flat on the bed. "You what ? What kind of a deal, Magnus?" My voice was panicked, worried more for him than me.

He flapped a hand at me, trying to play it off like it wasn't a big deal, which was more aggravating than anything. "It's not impor—"

I jabbed a finger against his chest. "No, don't do that. You just said you'd tell me anything. That you wouldn't lie to me."

My eyes implored his, begging for a word to calm me down. What horrible thing did Magnus do to ensure my safety? Because that's the only thing I can think of—the only reason I'm not in chains right now!

His full lips pursed, going thin as he studied me. His face was gaunt, clean-shaven, and utterly handsome. His shoulder-length hair flowed around his head like a lion's mane.

"I cut a deal with Jorthyr, silvermoon. Guaranteeing your safety in exchange for . . . for . . ."

"For what?!"

"My blood."

My vision swam, thoughts going dizzy as I sat up completely. Shocked, dazed, confused.

Magnus continued, putting his hands on my kneecaps and lightly squeezing. "It was the only thing I could think to do, love. Admit my guilt over Astrid and Corta's deaths, free Grim, and strike a deal to protect you." He spoke hurriedly, as if trying to bring me out of my daze. "I am a bloodrender, Ravinica. My lifeblood is powerful. I learned in Mimir Tomes the academy has been gunning to pull it out of my body since I was a whelp."

" Why ?"

His shoulders rose sharply. "My guess is to create something with it—a weapon, soldiers, something we've never seen the likes of before. My power is a rarity, and I believe they want to study it . . . and they want more of it."

My mouth dropped open. I tried to speak, to say anything, but only a squeak left my lips. Magnus' words only ignited my passion to find out what other lies this place preyed on.

I didn't doubt for a second what Magnus was saying. He was sacrificing himself to protect me, and it made me feel awful.

It had to stop.

"This fucking academy," I snarled, shaking my head.

He stroked my hand. "Are you angry with me, silvermoon?"

Clenching my teeth until they felt like cracking, I firmly shook my head. "No. I'm not mad at you, Magnus. All you've done is help me. But Vikingrune Academy? The Hersirs . . ."

"Aye, lass, I know. It's why I wasn't surprised about the history lesson you told me. The academy has used underhanded means to get what it wants for years—probably for its entire existence."

My head shot up, eyes locking with his. "The people who are running this place are corrupt, Magnus. Evil, even." I threw my arms up in frustration. "The whole premise of this place—a military school to train us to fight humanity's greatest foe—is bullshit!"

"Agreed."

It was the first time I'd realized that, saying it out loud. Vikingrune Academy was created to help stop the "spread" and "threat" of the elves against humans in Midgard.

What did it mean if we were the existential threat?

It means this academy is nothing more than a place of control. My mind spoke, and I nodded, carrying the thoughts further. Control over the narrative. Control over the magical students. Control over our powers. Control over our beliefs and allegiances.

"We have to stop them," I sputtered, veering my eyes up to his. "We have to spread the word about what's going on here, like I was saying."

A small smile played near the corner of his lips. For the life of me, I couldn't understand what Magnus found amusing about this situation or about what I'd said.

Maybe it was the fire I exhibited that titillated him, because it brought the fire out of him too.

He scooted forward, legs crossing as we sat face to face on the bed. My fingers threaded with his, between us.

And he murmured the first words of our rebellion:

"Tell me how you think we should begin, silvermoon."