Rogue: A Valkyrie Tale, #1

By Tonya Coffey

Clytie finds herself questioning Odin's orders when Psyche is charged to retrieve the soul of a shape-shifter named Storm. The Shifter falls, defending Clytie at the hands of a giant. As she runs to him, a spark ignites in her core, triggering an emotion forbidden to Valkyries. Realizing what the feelings hold, there is only one thing she can do, run.

Clytie turns her back on everything and everyone she has ever known. Doing so puts a target on her back, calling for Odin to put a price on their heads. Alerting all who serve him to hunt the duo down, even by the hands of her sister.

Odin is furious with his Valkyrie for disobeying him, proving the Well right. He accepts the War is coming and that Clytie will be the goddess who dethrones him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tonya Coffey
• Release date: Jun 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386063148

Book preview

DEDICATION

To my family

For believing in me

Part I

ODIN SENDS THE VALKYRIES to every battle. They allot death to men and govern victory.

Snorri Sturluson, The Gylfaginning

Prologue

THE CRACKLE OF A FIRE pulled one into the center of the village where a small group of women sat, nestled around the flames. Each of the Valkyries was beautiful with long flowing hair, no one had the same color or style. Eyes as bright as jewels sparkled against the roaring flames, which kept them warm during the cool night.

A tall Valkyrie with wavy locks of chocolate sat next to two younger girls. One was blonde while the other had hair like the night that engulfed them. The older sister smiled as she braided the younger girls’ darker strands.

Tell us a story, Mother, the youngest said, looking up at her with large violet eyes.

Yes, please, the eldest ushered.

The Valkyrie smiled, clearing her throat. A softness fell over the forest as crickets seemed to lower their calls and the frogs listened as she began to tell the tale; almost as if they knew the legend she would reveal.

I will speak not of a story, but of the future. She looked at each of the faces that become curious. When I was a small one, she smiled to her daughters, My mother told me of an extraordinary woman who would rise above the great beast to set us free from his clutches. She would wield the power of our race and with it, our ancestors, guiding her and protecting her.

Maybe you are her, Mother, Clytie, the youngest, said proudly.

Laural laughed not to make fun of her daughter, but for her thinking, she could fill the role.

No, Clytie. She picked her up, sitting her on her lap. The Valkyrie I speak of will be braver than I.

Braver than you? Psyche, the oldest asked. It is not possible.

Laural put an arm around her, hugging her tight. Being brave is the least of her gifts. She will be beautiful. She lifted Psyche’s chin up to look at her face while meeting her eyes with a smile. A great leader. Laural looked to each of the women and children who listened to her. And she will have the biggest heart of them all. She smiled to Clytie.

Is that all? Psyche frowned.

No, Laural added. But we will save the rest of the story for another night. It is time for bed.

With the moans and groans of disappointment, the sounds of the night creatures resumed their songs as the group disbanded and headed for their huts.

Clytie stopped. Mother?

Yes?

Mayhap I will be her?

Laural rose from her seat and picked Clytie up from the ground. She held her tight as she closed her eyes. Her heart swelled with the love she felt for her and the truth that only she knew.

Returning her to her feet, she said, perhaps.

Clytie smiled and ran to take Psyche’s hand. They giggled as they proceeded on to their shelter. Laural turned back to gaze at the flames. The dancing fire seemed to hypnotize her. She crossed her arms over her chest, thinking of the future. Uneasiness washed over her as she listened into the night. She stared into the blackened dusk. A chill ran up her spine and she knew, in that instant, she would never live to see her daughter become the great Valkyrie foretold the night she was born.

Chapter 1

DEEP IN THE FOREST of the Appalachian Mountains, a time when the worlds were filled with realms and magick ruled the universe, darkness took over.

It was thick with shadows, darker than the void between worlds. In the midst of it, a single ray of silver moonlight sliced through black branches, like fingers reaching for the two-foot sword. The hilt had a sleek round pommel and a cross guard that tilted up toward the grip. Yet, the unique shape of the sword had nothing on the woman wielding the steel blade.

The Valkyrie stood silently in the shadows. Her violet eyes peered through the night, vigilantly, watching for the movement of her prey. The crunch of weathered branches, under the foot of a heavy creature, caught her glare. The shadows weaved in and out of the darkness, opening for a figure to pull from the clutches.

There you are.

The Valkyrie’s slim fingers gripped the leather hilt, skin melded with leather, ready for the being to stray into her path. The steps grew into thumps causing the earth beneath her boots to shiver. The beast sliced through the moonlight with his massive form. A bald head with a grotesque scar which wrapped his skull from mouth to eye and a six-foot ax was casually tossed over his broad shoulder.

The sight of the ax made her wince. I do not like those. It was as long as she was tall. She narrowed her eyes at the beast, refusing to let her charge go. She willed her heart to steady as he moved into her path. She drew her blade from the leather sheath, attached to her back, and attacked.

The Valkyrie’s sword cut through the air, narrowly, missing the beast’s shoulder. He dipped, pulling the sharp edge of the ax across his body toward her. She dove to the ground, rolling once, and then advancing on his back with swift jabs.

The beast roared, showing thick jagged teeth that were the same color of his graying skin. His muscles bulged as he tossed the ax from hand to hand, twirling it like a windmill. The Valkyrie dodged the blows making quick strikes of her own, penetrating the thick flesh of his torso.

In frustration, the beast stomped his fur covered boot against the ground, causing the earth to shake. A massive crack split the ground beneath the Valkyrie’s feet. She gasped, falling to the side. The beast tossed his ax, twisting it end over end, at her. The Valkyrie’s eyes darted from the darkness of the crack to the edge of the two-foot blade, closing in on her.

A fast movement from her right caused her to jerk in the direction of the hole as an animal slammed against her body. The momentum sent her across the parting ground, on the opposite side in a roll.

Her breath came fast as she scrambled to her feet, clutching her metal companion. The thumps of bodies slamming into one another like steel anvils drew her attention to the fight. She ran to the action with narrowed eyes, stopping short at the scene playing out in front of her.

The beast wrestled with a black panther. The bright whites of the panther’s teeth shined in the moonlight as they snapped at the brute. His shiny coat, as dark as the shadows, made it look as if the beast fought against the night itself.

In one swift motion, the panther sunk its teeth into the creature’s bared thigh, drawing blood. The beast fell to one knee, wrapping his massive arm around the cat’s body. The panther roared before it clamped his jaws around the neck of his opponent. Then the forest became quiet as their breaths filled the night.

They fell to the ground with a thump. The panther pulled his body from the beast’s clutches. The Valkyrie ran to the cat, apprehensive about coming into contact with it. Eyes a golden yellow, brighter than the sun, met her gaze. She drew in a breath, staring at the eyes of a creature who was more human than animal. She felt as if she saw into his soul. He had the essence of a good, caring man who tried to protect her.

The Valkyrie knelt by the panther, emotions stirred in her body that she never knew existed. Her stomach ached. Her heart beat in an odd way. Familiarity hit. She remembered something about the cat; dreams she had of him. Most nights she closed her eyes, she dreamed of a black panther, he walked next to her, protecting her.

She stared at him. Are you him?

Now he lay in front of her, breaths from death. He had put his life before hers, protecting her as she had dreamed so many times. Why? She wondered.

Step away, Sister, a feminine voice spoke from behind the Valkyrie.

The Valkyrie stood, turning to the newcomer. Why are you here, Psyche?

I have come for my warrior, Clytie. Psyche stepped forward. Her waist-length, yellow hair swayed with each step. Her gray bodice and a thigh-length skirt, a shade lighter than the shadows, accentuated her figure. Two leather sheaths were strapped to her hips with swords matching Clytie’s weapon, only different pommels.

Clytie stiffened. Your warrior? She didn’t know why it bothered her so.

Psyche smiled, making her blue eyes brighten in the darkness. Yes, the cat is mine.

Clytie gave her a steady gaze. No, he is not. She wondered why she had said it. Her eyes glance to the panther then back to Psyche.

Regarding her, she asked, Are you challenging me?

Clytie regretted her words. He saved me, she admitted.

Psyche laughed. It does not matter, Clytie. He is dying and he will be in Odin’s army. She stepped forward. He demands it.

Clytie had never questioned Odin’s orders. She knew the service the warriors received from him gave them a new life, a new future. The cat had given his life for her and she wanted to do the same for him, no matter the cost. He deserved a choice.

I cannot allow you. Clytie lifted her sword. Please do not make me hurt you.

Psyche pondered on her words. Are you willing to give up your life for his?

I am giving him a choice.

Psyche smiled, saying, As you wish, Sister, but Odin will be displeased with you. She turned, glanced back at Clytie over her shoulder, and vanished into the darkness.

Thank the gods.

Chapter 2

CLYTIE SLID HER SWORD into the leather sheath at her back and scooped the cat up into her arms. His head and back legs dangled as she hurried through the woods to find shelter. He was heavy in her arms but her determination made each step easier. As she ran, she thought of the dreams she had. Of the cat that seemed to protect her each time she closed her eyes. Yet, she was confused why she dreamed of him. Why she felt as if she had known him her entire life. This was the first time she had ever laid eyes on what she assumed was a Shifter.

Pushing the thoughts away, she hurried to make her sacrifice worthy. She wanted answers. She needed to understand why she could turn her back on everything she had ever known for him. If he died it would be for nothing.

In the darkness, a cave stood out as a black hole in the side of the mountain. Clytie hesitated before she hurried toward the opening, unsure of what creature made it their home. Wet earth, similar to mildew, greeted her as she stepped into the dampness. Dark wet stone, rough to the touch, wrapped the interior. Black dirt that was rich in nutrients covered the floor. Luckily for them, no animals were present.

She laid the panther gently on the ground then hurried to build a fire. She gathered herbs and leaves to make a poultice, to tend to his wounds. Clytie never used the knowledge to heal a shape-shifter. It was meant only for a Valkyries body. She had heard Shifters were half animal and half human, with the animal side controlling the human; however, she saw courage that most men would never show to another in the cat. It made her wonder if this was the reason why she felt drawn to him—if she dreamed of him because of this moment. Was it her duty to save him?

With the panther’s wounds tended, Clytie sat back across from the fire, admiring the animal. The dark black coat had an inlay of swirls, a shade lighter, than the hair itself. It was soft as Down when she ran her fingers over his front leg, something which one could curl up with. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, chewing as she thought about snuggling up to him.

Clytie closed her eyes and inhaled. She knew she should not be thinking that way. He was a panther, a Shifter. It was forbidden to find comfort in their arms. It was prohibited to think of it. If a Valkyrie was ready to have a child, they would seek out an Elder. They were the men version of Valkyries. They lived in the remote mountains, away from everyone and done nothing except train to fight in Odin’s Great War. The Elders were Odin’s way of making sure the line of Valkyries continued.

The panther began to shake, the muscles rippled beneath the pelt. The sounds of popping joints, breaking bones, and cartilage realigning, echoed inside the cavern. Her eyes widened, taking in a sight Valkyries did not witness.

Clytie’s heart sped as she stared in awe, watching the cat transform before her eyes. Oh my, she thought. A man melted from the figure of the cat—a man who wasn’t much older than her age of nineteen. Pale white skin stretched over taut muscle. Dark brown hair hung loosely around a square face with a nose that wasn’t as straight as most. Nevertheless, it was a face Clytie saw, as took from the gods themselves.