Rise (The Order of the Krigers #1)(83)

I leapt. Luckily, it was only a five-foot drop. When I landed in the boat, Anders pulled me to the side. Vidar gracefully hopped next to me.

I slid the bo staff near my feet and held on while Anders released two long oars that had been holding us in place. The boat took off, gliding along in the strong current. We didn’t speak as we traveled through the dark tunnel. Anders used the oars to prevent us from slamming into the walls and breaking apart.

The rushing underground river flowed out of the rocky tunnel, spitting us into a lake outside the capital. Anders grunted as he used the oars to steer us to the nearest shore. When we hit the bank with a soft thunk, Vidar and Anders got out, pulling the boat onto dry land. I climbed out, and Anders dragged the boat away from the lake, hiding it next to a fallen tree.

Vidar pumped his fist in the air, and then wrapped a smiling Anders in a hug. “We did it!”

“Thanks to Kaia,” Anders said.

“And we didn’t lose anybody.”

“Except for my father.” The only thing that made the pain bearable was knowing we rescued the Krigers, just as he’d wanted.

“I’m sorry,” Vidar said. “It’s not easy losing a parent. The pain never truly leaves.”

Anders cleared his throat. “Vidar, the Krigers, and me—we’re all here for you. We’re your family now. You can count on us.” A lump formed in my throat. “You are not alone.”

“Speaking of which,” Vidar said, “let’s go join the other Krigers.”

Anders led the way deeper into the forest. We traveled all night until we reached the mountain range west of the capital. Vidar had sent the Krigers to the cavern where we obtained our weapons. Exhausted, I pulled myself up the rocks and into the cave, ready to collapse and sleep for a very long time.

Stepping inside, a fire was already lit and eleven jubilant men were waiting for us. They eagerly greeted Vidar and Anders before forming a circle around Vidar and dropping to one knee, facing him.

“Rise,” Vidar commanded. “Kaia, welcome to the Order of the Krigers. I’d like you to meet everyone. This is Einar, Geir, Harald, Jorgen, Marius, Gunner, Reidar, Henrik, Oddvar, Tor, and Stein. Everyone, this is Kaia—the most powerful Kriger I’ve ever met. With her help, we will defeat Morlet.” A chorus of cheers rang out.

Everyone bent and retrieved their weapons. As soon as they stood, I felt my bo staff hum with an energy I’d never experienced before. Suddenly, I was no longer exhausted but eager to begin working with these men.

“Tomorrow, you will begin training together. You will learn how to link your power. And when the time is right, we will attack and defeat Morlet.”

Vidar wanted to help the Krigers kill Morlet in order to end the curse and avenge his parents’ deaths. As excited as I was to link with my fellow Krigers and harness my full power, I felt torn about killing Morlet. Would I be able to when the time came?

My father had died today so that I could live to fulfill my duty as a Kriger. He wanted me to end our family’s curse so that the next female born wouldn’t face the same fate as all the women before me had. He’d taught me how to fight and defend myself. Now, here I was, standing with the Order of the Krigers, ready to make my father’s dream come true. I had to carry on for him, and for my mother.

“We all have a choice, Kaia,” Anders whispered in my ear. “Morlet made his. Now it’s time for you to make yours.”

“Before we start training,” Vidar said, “I think a celebration is in order!”

Everyone cheered and stomped on the ground. Someone found a lute among the supplies and began playing a lively tune. Mugs of ale were passed around to everyone. Vidar grabbed my hand and pulled me to him, spinning me around.

“I don’t know how to dance,” I admitted, trying not to step on his toes.

“Just follow my lead.” He danced around the cave, passing me from one partner to another. As the night wore on, exhaustion overtook me and I sat down, leaning against the wall. Everyone was either drinking or dancing by the fire. The sound of men laughing echoed in the cave.

“What are you doing over here all alone?” Anders asked, sitting next to me.

“It’s been a long day,” I said, yawning.

“Yes, it has. How are you holding up?”

I leaned my head on his shoulder. “With you by my side,” I said feeling bold, “I’m holding up just fine.”

He smiled and squeezed my hand. “You’re engaged to my best friend.”

In all the chaos, I’d forgotten about that.

“Grei Heks said your bloodlines are destined.” He released my hand.

I sat up straight, my eyes wide. Had Grei Heks said bloodlines? Or had she specifically mentioned Vidar? If she said bloodlines, she might not have been referring to Vidar, but his brother, Morlet. Unable to voice my concern, I laid my head back on Anders’s shoulder, trying to calm my raging heart.

“And you’ll make a beautiful queen.”

“What?” I asked.

“Vidar is the heir. When we kill Morlet, Vidar will retake the throne. Since you’ll be married to him, that will make you the queen.”

There was no way I was queen material. A warrior—yes. Royalty—no. “I don’t want to be queen.” All I ever wanted was a simple life.