Victor smashed his way into her consciousness with the grace of a sledgehammer. He was pilfering from her awareness, encroaching upon all that she was. His essence was like a snare, the more she fought it, the tighter it wound.
“Vhalla! Don’t - - - - -ave to fig- -t!” The voices were fading; she was reaching the bottom of that abyss she was sinking into.
The truth is, Victor continued. It was as though he stood right next to her. He loves his crown, his Empire, his legacy. He fights for his own glory, just like his father.
You’re wrong.
Why do you still fight me, wretch? Do you not think the late Solaris started with pure intentions? You knew the man he was. Aldrik will be the same; he’s tasting war, and he will hunger it forever. The sensation of Victor pressed upon her, and Vhalla struggled to maintain her sense of self. But what’s Vhalla’s role in his world? Why doesn’t she fight for the winning side? Fight with me . . . What’ll be your destiny?
To kill you. Vhalla fought for—and meant—each of those words. He was like ice, invading her, freezing her in a prison of her mind where there was only him.
You know you can’t. Look at you now, prone before my might. Your tenacity to resist is charming, but I am much stronger than you give me credit for. It will only result in the deaths of those you—
Vhalla didn’t know if hers or Victor’s scream was louder. A blinding white light penetrated through the darkness. It immolated the shade of Victor that had been moving into her mind. It scorched her and exposed her like a babe raw to the world.
She opened her eyes weakly, not expecting the face that stared back at her. Princess Sehra dominated Vhalla’s field of vision. Her hands slowly pulled away from Vhalla’s temples before she sagged into Za’s waiting arms.
“Vhalla, my Vhalla,” Aldrik coaxed from her side.
She shuddered violently, but squeezed his hand as tight as she could.
“She’s too cold.” Elecia pulled her hand away from Vhalla’s face. “We must warm her up.”
“What’s happening?” Fritz asked the question on everyone’s mind.
“He’s using the crystals to entwine his magic with hers,” Sehra answered, instantly gaining the floor. “I wondered, when she lowered the gate, but I did not expect this . . .”
“Y-you saved me.” Vhalla couldn’t believe it.
“I did,” the princess didn’t mince words. “But he will be back. He’s stinging, but that was not a fatal blow.”
“Thank you,” Vhalla whispered.
Sehra regarded her for a long moment before giving a small nod.
“What did you do?” There was genuine gratitude in Aldrik’s voice.
“I used the power of Yargen to put a stop to the crystals,” Sehra spoke as though the fact should’ve been obvious.
“What is the power of Yargen?” Jax asked the question Vhalla had been meaning to.
Sehra and Za shared a look. After a quiet exchange in the Northern tongue, Sehra spoke again, although the rest of the room was keenly aware that they would be hearing an edited version.
“That which you call the Mother has a name, Yargen. She cultivated the earth and gave those tools to the initial peoples of this land.”
Vhalla had heard this story before, she realized. Victor had mentioned it.
“One tool was an axe, Achel, capable of splitting the earth and creating life. It was given to the first Child of Yargen, and the place they did so was Soricium. When their job was done, they committed Achel to rest. I am a descendent of the first child, and Yargen has chosen me to hold her magic.” Sehra went from addressing the group, to only addressing Jax. “So the magic of Yargen is her strength, the force of life and light and order.”
“So, crystals are of the Gods?” Vhalla asked slowly as she warmed, thanks to Aldrik’s fire burning near her.
“They are,” Sehra affirmed. “It is their power in physical form. Something that we mortals can barely dip into without severe consequences.”
“The taint,” Fritz put “severe consequences” in more common words.
“And why I cannot do what I just did very often.” Sehra looked over Vhalla solemnly. “I could not break the connection you have with him, only stall it for a time. He will come back for you. If you can harness his magic, the crystal magic, you are the thing which stands in his way.”
“How often can you do it?” Aldrik asked.
“I’m far from Soricium.” Sehra shook her head. “Even surrounded by life here, there is much wickedness and impure magic upon these lands. My link to Yargen is not strong enough to do it more than every few days.”
“Every few days? She could die!” The Emperor wasn’t pleased with the news.
“You kill Sehra if she does more.” Za scowled. “Southern King be thankful.”
Aldrik opened his mouth to speak, and Vhalla stopped him with a touch. “Za is right. And I wouldn’t want Sehra to die for me.” Vhalla turned to the princess. “How much longer until he can be back in my mind?”
“I cannot say.” She shook her head solemnly. “It all depends on how badly he seeks it.”
“How much longer until we reach the capital?”
“Fifteen days,” Aldrik said finally.
He’d said a number. But all Vhalla heard was a death sentence.
CHAPTER 29