Chapter 202: That makes two of us

The day of the Winter Solstice slowly drew near until it was finally upon them.

Throughout the preceding days, Alyssa couldn’t help but notice the worry hanging over Dorian. Watching him brood, constantly lost in deep thought, tugged painfully at her heart. She wished with everything in her that she could lessen the weight from his shoulders.

He had eventually explained to her why the Solstice couldn’t be cancelled, and that their only option was to prepare for the battle that was bound to unfold. Yet, in a way, they held a crucial advantage; they knew Ragnar was planning an ambush, placing them several steps ahead of his plan.

It had begun to snow a few days prior; faintly at first, the soft flakes melting before they even reached the ground. The air turned chilly, carrying the sharp bite of deep winter, the kind that made your breath fog.

Then, by the previous night, the snowfall had gotten heavier. The sky was covered in a dense sheet of grey clouds, obscuring the sun as winter took control of the kingdom.

That morning, Alyssa stood on the top-floor terrace, arms wrapped tightly around herself against the bitter chill as she watched Dorian ride out with his elite warriors.

According to what he had shared with her before leaving, they were going to position the warriors and the army from Ashgard around every perimeter of the territory.

By the time Ragnar dared to show his face tonight, they would be waiting for him. Once they had him, they would have full control over the rogues.

She rubbed her arms and shivered slightly, despite the thick wool coat wrapped around her frame.

"There you are," a voice cut through her quiet thoughts, startling her. She turned around, smiling softly at Pandora who was walking towards her, clad in a matching wool coat.

"Were you looking for me?" she asked as her sister-in-law came to lean against the railing beside her.

"I was," Pandora nodded. "Dorian told me I’d find you up here. He’s taking his warriors to the borders. Said he has a strange feeling Ragnar might strike tonight. Did he mention that to you?"

Alyssa tried to maintain the composed, innocent expression on her face as she answered. "He did. You know Ragnar has been spotted lurking near the borders several times over the past few weeks."

"Yeah, I know. But that doesn’t mean an attack is imminent. Ragnar wouldn’t dare cross my brother. Honestly, I think Dorian is just being overly paranoid because of the Solstice. Every creature in this realm is going to hit the highest peak of their power tonight, after all."

"Even if he’s just paranoid," Alyssa interjected with a slight shrug. "Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. Dorian’s instincts have never failed him."

"Hmm, I suppose you’re right," Pandora let out a long sigh. "It just makes me worried seeing him so tense and restless. I know he’s the Alpha King and protecting the North is his responsibility, but his life is just as valuable as everyone else’s."

"That makes two of us," Alyssa offered a gentle smile. "Over the last few days, it’s been painful seeing him so burdened. I just hope tonight passes without any incident."

"I hope so too," Pandora agreed. "Maybe it’s all in his head."

I wish it were, Alyssa thought to herself, a pang of guilt hitting her for hiding the truth of her vision from Pandora. Yet she knew it was for the best; revealing the vision meant uncovering every other secret they were hiding.

The two of them stood in silence for a long while before Pandora finally broke it. "Come back inside with me," she murmured. "It’s freezing out here."

Alyssa immediately picked up on a subtle shift in her tone. She recognized that tone; something heavy was weighing on Pandora’s mind.

"Okay."

She followed her back into the room, taking a seat on the edge of the bed while Pandora closed and latched the windows. The air inside the room was pleasantly warm, a welcome shield against the howling cold outside.

Pandora came over and sat beside her on the bed, her back held rigidly straight.

"Is something bothering you?" Alyssa asked gently, giving her an opening to speak.

Pandora let out a long breath and nodded slowly. "Something like that," she confessed softly. "You’re the only person I feel comfortable opening up to, which is why I came up here alone, without Henna."

"Where is Henna?"

"She was still asleep when I peeked into her room a few minutes ago."

Alyssa nodded slowly, waiting patiently for her to go on. When Pandora hesitated, she leaned in closer. "What’s on your mind, Pandora? Talk to me."

Pandora still didn’t say a word. A stray tear escaped from her eye and trailed down her cheek, but she quickly brushed it away with the back of her hand.

However, Alyssa noticed it. "Are you crying?" she asked softly, concern lacing her tone. "Oh goddess, did something happen? Is Anthony alright?"

"He’s fine," Pandora answered quickly, forcing a faint smile. "He, ugh, he left with Dorian, Jake, and the others."

"Then what is it?"

Pandora swallowed hard, taking a steadying breath. "Remember when you asked me, a few weeks back, why things had suddenly gotten so awkward between Anthony and me?"

Alyssa nodded, leaning forward attentively. "I remember. What about it?"

"I wasn’t ready to talk about it then," Pandora continued quietly. "I needed time to process everything... and I have. Anthony confessed that he’s in love with me."

Alyssa’s eyes lit up. A bright smile broke across her face as she reached out to squeeze Pandora’s arm. "He did? Goddess, Pandora, that’s the sweetest thing ever."

"No, it isn’t," Pandora said, shaking her head solemnly. "I intend to reject his feelings tonight."

The smile vanished from Alyssa’s face in an instant. "What? Why would you ever do that?" She stood up from the bed, placing her hands firmly on her hips as she stared down at her. "Don’t tell me this is all over that mate bond thingy."

"It is entirely about the mate bond thingy."

"I don’t understand you," Alyssa groaned, letting out an exasperated breath. "You are so clearly head-over-heels in love with Anthony."

"I am not..."

"Oh, stop lying to me. I know you are. It’s written all over your face. So fucking obvious."

Pandora blinked, a startled, amused smile touching her lips. "Did you just say a cuss word?"

"Don’t change the subject," Alyssa shot back, though her own lips twitched with suppressed amusement. "You love Anthony, and he loves you deeply. That’s what matters. You two could very well end up being fated mates anyway."

"And what if we aren’t?" Pandora countered sharply. "What if he finds his true mate one day and can’t fight the pull of the mate bond?"

"What if he can?" Alyssa argued right back. "Haven’t you ever heard that true love is stronger than any pull? There’s no way the pull of a mate bond can be more powerful than the love Anthony has for you."

She let out a soft laugh, settling back down on the bed beside Pandora. "You know, I have a friend from the Academy. Her name is Julie. She told me that if she ever met her fated mate, she would reject him on the spot. She claims she doesn’t want to be chained to a bond she didn’t choose. She wants to fall in love on her own terms."

"What does Julie have to do with this?"

"Because I’m sure Anthony thinks the same way," Alyssa explained gently. "He would reject his fated mate in a heartbeat just to be with you."

"Well," Pandora smiled smugly and tucked a lock of brown hair behind her ear. "He actually said those exact words to me."

Alyssa’s jaw dropped open for a moment before she burst into laughter. "He literally told you that, and you’re still sitting here worrying? Pandora, you need your head examined."

Pandora couldn’t help but laugh, collapsing backward onto the pillows. "It’s not as simple as you’re making it sound, Alyssa."

"It really is," Alyssa insisted, leaning back on the bed beside her. "Don’t turn Anthony away. Give this a real chance. Please."

A sharp knock suddenly rapped against the bedroom door, cutting off their conversation mid-sentence.

"Come in," Alyssa called out.

The knob turned and Nina stepped inside, carrying her leather bag tucked under her arm.

"I brought the talisman for tonight, Luna..." she started to announce, but her words died in her throat as her eyes landed on Pandora. She instantly froze in her tracks. "Oh... I... I didn’t realize you had company."

Pandora sat up slowly, her gaze narrowing with suspicion as she looked at Nina, who had suddenly turned pale and nervous. Her eyes drifted down to the bag held in the healer’s grip.

"A talisman for tonight?" she repeated, her brows drawing together as her eyes darted between Nina and Alyssa. "Why do you need a talisman, Alyssa? What’s happening tonight?"