All Chapters of Bloodbound Destiny : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The women doled out bowls to everyone, and I sat apart while I ate my food and stewed over my circumstances. When I finished, I laid my bowl down and opened the ointment Lyra had given me.The contents were waxy and smelly, but though the smell was not terrible, I sealed it.“You need to use it because it will help.” I twitched at Tristan ’s voice, having not heard him approach out of the shadowed trees.He sat across the fire from me, picking up a stick and poking pensively at the embers before adding more wood. Then he looked up. “Well? Aren’t you going to put it on?”My fingers were stiff and would be worse come the morning, but for reasons I couldn’t explain, I set aside the jar.And was rewarded with a cry of exasperation from Tristan , who rose and circled the fire. “Give me the poultice.” Deeply aware that all eyes were on us, I handed over the tiny pot, cringing as he removed a large glob, the frugalness in me rejecting the excess.“You aren’t aware of the chests of silver

The conversation was impossible as Tristan led me through the woods paths, my attention all for steering my horse, a small bay mare that Alpha Orion had picked for her mild temper, for I was not the most accomplished rider.We did not ride alone. Philomela ran at my horse’s heels, along with one of Alpha Orion ’s men.The king had requested the skald come with us to witness our trial and the warrior to carry the horses back to the main group, retreat was not an option.Given what the skald had told me about how her magic functioned, I didn’t understand why her presence was required, but Alpha Orion refused to accept my plea that the woman remain with the main group.The air grew colder as we climbed, patches of snow clinging to the shadows of the pine trees, the horses’ hooves crunching in the bed of needles and filling my nose with their aroma. Ahead, Hammar loomed.The mountain was truly hammer-shaped, the north, east, and west sides near-vertical cliffs, though Tristan reported

Great shuddering shrieks emanating from every direction and none. Voices beyond number, their shouts full of sadness and pain and anger. Drums not of this world took the place of cries, the quick pace accented by sounds of footfalls. Not boots or shoes or even the slam of bare feet, but the scratch of… bones against a stone.And they were growing closer.“Run!” I gasped, but Tristan had already hooked his hand around my wrist, forcing me upward.Terror chased away my fatigue and I took the steps three at a time, shield thumping against my back. The steps ended, and Tristan cut right down a narrow tunnel, taking me with him.Then he slid to a stop.I slammed with him, his chain mail biting into my forehead as my skull rebounded off his shoulder.Stunned, I gazed past him.Part of me wishes I hadn’t.Four skeletal beings rushed toward us, their shapes lit by a peculiar green light. Scraps of leather and armor hung from their emaciated frames, frightening war cries booming out of thei

That’s not fair,” I cried, unable to restrain my anger. “The cursed dead do not deserve terms set for mortals.”The Orcs alpha laughed again. “Perhaps so, child of Freyja, but Tristan Firehand issued the challenge.” His teeth clacked together, flakes of black dripping from them.“Now we shall see what his reputation is worth to him.” I opened my mouth to argue, but Tristan stopped me off. “I agree.” He turned on his heel, storming at me. “I need your shield, Andronika. They are all half rotten.”“No,” I answered. “We fight. There’s a chance we can get through them.” Tristan shook his head. “I’ll not die a coward.”“Who cares?” The words tore from my throat. “They are the cursed dead—what does it matter what they think?”“It doesn’t.” His voice was clipped. “Do what you need to do to survive, Born-in-Fire. You aren’t bound by my word.”He set his burning axe on the ground near me, then reached for my shield. My power dissipated the moment the wood was out of my grip. “Trust Freyja

A scuff of noise followed by the sound of scattered pebbles attracted my attention and I tensed, staring back the way we came. Tristan went still as well, but then he shook his head. “The orcs have vanquished, Andronika.They are not a threat any longer.” I knew that. Had witnessed it with my own eyes. My fingers hurt with stiffness, my skin is excruciatingly tight, a continual reminder of the instant my life had changed.“Where is Ivy’s poultice ?” Tristan asked. “You’re to use it every day.” The prospect of digging it out was tiresome. “I don’t need it.” “You do.” “I don’t know where it is.” Glancing up at him, I added, “You’re the one who is injured.”Don’t lie, given that half of his face was covered in dried blood, his sleeve was saturated in crimson, and I was sure he was sporting many bruises from his encounter with the Orcs Alpha “You’re right,” he answered. “Not only am I in a great deal of pain, but this cut”—he tapped his face—“was also from a rusty orcs bl