“She followed your every footstep for the next five years. That was why she was at the bar that night.
“She walked the Earth for you. One of the harshest punishments Mother gives to immortals, yet she put herself there willingly, knowing there was a chance she would never be able to return home. She did that for you. To give you your family back, not so she could be with you. She sacrificed herself. Even upon her return home when her powers were given to you because she’d tried to interfere, she didn’t protest. With Broni, it was and always will be because of you.” The words clicked into place as, at last, Rhys understood those words spoken to him by Fate as she had stopped him from killing himself.
Fate touched him, drawing a symbol with her finger on his chest. Walking behind him, she traced another on his back. Then, walking forward, she again traced one last mark on his forehead. “Remember who you are as well as who you have been.” Fate then took a step back, walking slowly around him in a circle.
With each name she called out, the warrior within prowled closer. “Do you remember your battles, Douglas? How about you, Cromwell?” Each name was as if souls were awakening to life within him. “Do you remember who you were, Khan, Hannibal, Alexander?” Rhys knew the greats through history. She was mistaken; no soul could have lived through so many lifetimes. “Cyrus and Erik the Red?
“Do not let me forget your favorites where, even when you lost the battle, it was worth the cost, lone axmen. And, Dian Wei, do you not long to feel your axes in your hands again?” In Fate’s hand, a battle ax appeared.
Rhys felt his body at long last released from Fate’s grasp, but what she did next stunned him into near immobility again. He would have been chopped in half if not for the life forces taking over, merging into one. The warrior instincts sprung back to life. Catching the ax thrown at him in a hard grasp, twirling its familiarity in his hands.
Fate stared in admiration at his display of mastery over the fearsome weapon. “I am relieved to see you remember how to wield your weapon.”
“Are you? I thought for a second you were about to decapitate me,” Rhys said suspiciously.
“Not I, but Valentine and Destiny came precariously close. I had every faith you just needed a little nudge to make you remember.”
“There are gentler ways other than throwing an ax at my head. Have I not always been a faithful servant of the Gods?”
“Yes, Warrior, you have. Odin was sure you would eventually remember, but I have need of your skills now.”
His grim countenance changed into one of admiration. “Odin.” He went to Odin who had silently been watching the entire confrontation from his throne. Rhys clasped his hands before sinking to his knees before him. “I am at your command, once again.”
Odin nodded. “I want you to command my army as you have earned the honor. However, the battle this time will be the most important one you will face. Many humans, immortals, and Gods will not survive. If we lose, evil will reign in all realms.”
“It will be my privilege to serve you. I only ask that the choice of realms I fight be given to me. If Broni must stay on Earth, then I wish to be with her.”
“You intend to claim her?” Odin questioned his intentions.
Rhys said in resignation, “I doubt Fate or her father would allow less any longer.”
“It won’t be as easy as you believe,” Fate snapped. “Her giving heart was rejected while you whored your way through every Goddess and slut in our realm. I have had a difficult time restraining Valentine. Besides, our daughter will find the happiness she deserves with or without you.” Fate believed in giving fair warning.
“I will make Broni happy, but there will be times she will be unhappy with me. When those situations occur, I will tolerate no interference. There will be only one master in my relationship with her, and that will be me.” Rhys took Fate’s warning in stride and gave one of his own.
“I can live with that,” Fate conceded.
“As can I.”
Both had set their terms and were happy with the outcome, each believing themselves the victor.
“I have your permission to leave?” Rhys turned to Odin.
“You do. Take who you want with you and prepare for battle; it will not be long in coming.”
Rhys looked over to the tables at his Viking brothers, many of whom were anxious to be embroiled in a fight again. He would have to choose carefully; Odin could not be left unprotected.
He moved toward the table, but when he would have moved forward to make his selection, Fate stopped him with a hand on his arm. “I want my daughter protected.”
“Do you doubt my ability?” The Warrior was astounded at the insult. “You should have kept a better eye on her.”
“Don’t anger me again, Warrior. L
et’s not forget who is responsible for her being there in the first place.”
“Did we not just discuss your interference?” he stated between gritted teeth.
The Warrior had not become a brilliant strategist by being an idiot. However, Fate wanted Broni happy and safe, and he had fucked up. Until he proved himself, she would continue to doubt his worthiness. For now, he would have to tolerate Fate’s insults.
“I see that I am going to have to convince you as well as Broni. Her safety and happiness will always come first.”
“Thank you. I am aware of the difficulty it was to give me your promise. Odin has a need for your skills as a warrior; Broni needs a mate that will see she is cared for. I am sure you will be able to accomplish both.”
“I will.” The Warrior crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, if you will leave, I will be able to pick my men and go to Broni.”
“I will leave you to it then. Remember, I will be watching,” she said, disappearing before he could reply.
“That woman needs a firm hand,” the warrior stated, looking over his shoulder at Odin.
“Are you doubting my skill now?” Odin raised a questioning brow.
“No, just your sanity.”
Chapter 23
Broni moved stiffly across the clubroom. It had been four days since she had been attacked, and her body was still sore, bearing the bruises of the hits the men had inflicted. She sat down at the first table she came to, biting her lip at the excruciating pain.
“Should you be out of bed?” Adam asked, sitting down beside her.
“I couldn’t lie in that bed another second. I needed to walk the stiffness out.”
Adam frowned. “When I go out, I’ll try to find something for pain.”
Broni covered his hand with hers. “Don’t. Those are the most dangerous spots. I’ll be fine in a couple of more days.”