28. Flight
Flight
Larissa
Within hours, the palace had been locked down, the guests sent home, and the city scoured and secured. The guards who had heard of Calder’s identity were sworn to secrecy. While Halvor and General Soren were sent to the physicians to check for any lasting damage, Ishaan had refused treatment.
“Someone needs to make sure the draugr was alone,” was all Ishaan said before leaving the palace.
King Torsten, Larissa, Darien, Anara, and Halla gathered in another chamber to discuss the corrupt Prince.
Torsten attempted to dismiss Halla, but Larissa was adamant in refusing him.
She would not let Halla out of her sight, not now, but she was surprised that Torsten either didn’t notice or chose not to acknowledge Halla’s shadow as Kai followed her into the room.
Larissa didn’t wait for Torsten to speak. “I have to leave.”
Darien may have inherited Torsten’s eyes, but Torsten had retained all of his stubbornness and suspicion. “Explain yourself.”
“The Norn have sent me dreams. Not just me, but Darien and Anara too. They’re calling me to them, and in return, they’ll tell me the full prophecy of how to defeat Shiko.”
Torsten’s clasped hands tightened as he shot his son a questioning glance. Apparently, Darien had not told him about the dreams. Torsten glared at Larissa. “You would leave your people right after reclaiming your kingdom and without your crown?”
“My people are safe. I’ll appoint General Soren as Regent during my leave.
The Vienám is more motivated than ever to advance east to Safír.
I’ve done what you asked of me. I’ve upheld my end of the bargain, and I’ll keep fighting with the Vienám, but what is the point of us reclaiming the kingdoms if I don’t know how to defeat Shiko? ”
He sighed deeply. “I suppose in a few weeks, after we reclaim Safír—”
“That won’t work,” Larissa argued. “Vereandi told me to start in Smaragd. I have to get there before Calder or Shiko send reinforcements from the North and block my path.”
“If the Norn told you to go to Smaragd, we’ll go there after Safír, but you are needed here with the Vienám. My answer is no. You must wait until the timing is right.”
Larissa crossed her arms, her skin rubbing against the smooth satin of her gown that she had not yet had time to change. “I’m not asking for your permission, I’m making you aware of my decision.”
His eyes narrowed in anger.
Trying to hold onto some semblance of respect, Larissa said, “I’m not your subject, Torsten.
When it comes to the Vienám, I’ll yield to your authority every time, but this is about me.
The Norn are the ones who gave Rúna the prophecy that started this whole mess.
We can’t hope to succeed without that knowledge.
Calder’s draugr already invaded our safety only days after reclaiming Perle! We need more information.”
“Faeir, Larissa is right,” Darien interjected. “We have to go.”
Anger pulled Torsten’s brows down over lowered eyes.
“I might be able to concede that Lovisa must go and speak to the Norn, but you and Anara are needed here. I will send a host of guards to accompany her. Besides, Lovisa proved tonight that she can defend herself.” It would have sounded like a compliment if not for Torsten’s patronizing tone.
“And leave her at Calder’s mercy?” Anara scoffed. “What if he’s waiting for her on the road? You know Larissa is our most important asset in removing Shiko from power.”
“Which is why she should stay here until we can bring the force of the Vienám behind her.”
“But she is also being summoned by the Norn,” Anara continued. “That can’t be ignored.”
“She’s not the only one being summoned,” Darien’s voice was as unyielding as his father’s. “We have to go with her. The Norn have sent us the dreams as well.”
Father and son stared at one another, a silent yet visible battle clear in their eyes.
Larissa tried to ignore the pang of guilt that built in her stomach.
It wasn’t her fault the Norn continued to plague her with dreams, or that her mother hadn’t told her more of the prophecy in her youth.
It wasn’t her fault that she had to leave her people—again.
Or that Calder’s presence and the Norn’s insistence necessitated Darien and Anara’s accompaniment.
And yet, she hated the tension between Darien and his father.
“This is your choice, then?” King Torsten asked, his voice tight with anger. “You will choose her over your own people? Again?”
“I’m choosing both ,” Darien said. “Our people deserve to be free, but what about what Larissa said? Why free them if we can’t guarantee this freedom? Let us go to the Norn. We’ll get our answers and meet you at Safír. We’ll reclaim our kingdom with the knowledge to actually keep it safe.”
Pride swelled in Larissa’s heart. Darien had never wanted the throne, but Larissa could see the beginnings of a just ruler in him, as long as he was given time.
Even if that meant there would be no future for them.
Larissa refused to allow her mind to travel that road any further.
Instead, she focused on the way Torsten analyzed his son, confident that he would see the wisdom in Darien’s words when he would not accept them from her.
King Torsten sighed. “The Norn returned the wrong son.”
An audible gasp escaped Larissa’s lips at the same time a growl ripped from Anara’s chest. Halla, who had slumped over in her seat, straightened, her eyes widened in alarm. The only emotion on Kai’s face could be found in his raised eyebrows.
Darien breathed slowly, nodding his head as though he’d expected nothing else. “I returned myself. And in case you forgot, Aeron made his choice. I may not be the son that you wish was standing before you, but I’m all you have left.”
“I can’t order Lovisa or Anara to remain, but I am your father and King. You are not to leave.”
Larissa rose from her seat before Darien’s rebellious look could give him away. “Then there is nothing left to say, King Torsten.”
Larissa led Halla into the hallway, accompanied by Anara and Kai.
Through the open door, Larissa watched as Darien moved toward his father, as though he would say something; then, the heavy door swung shut, blocking him from her view.
Would he try to convince his father or had he seen the futility in such actions?
“Lara, are you okay?” Halla touched her arm. “You’re shaking.”
Larissa didn’t answer, couldn’t answer. She wasn’t afraid.
She was angry, obvious by the way her galdr burned her insides and snapped between her fingers in short bursts of static energy.
She said nothing but pulled her arm away, careful not to let her galdr hurt Halla as it had once before.
The group made their way in absolute silence to Larissa’s room.
Outside the door, Anara pulled on Kai’s shoulder. “Let’s give the sisters a moment.”
From the look in Anara’s eyes, it was clear she knew exactly what Larissa planned to do.
Larissa nodded in appreciation, closing the door behind her and Halla.
She yanked the dress from her body, letting the gown cascade to the floor in a rumpled heap.
In no time at all, Larissa washed the paint from her face, dressed in the clothes she’d used to sneak into Perle, and replaced her satin slippers with worn-out work boots.
Halla fluttered around her, looking more like a fairy than ever.
“So, what’s the plan?”
“I’m answering the Norn’s call.” Larissa shoved her gun into the holster at her side and started undoing the intricate braids around her face. “You need to stay here where it’s safe.”
“So safe that a draugr attacked us?” Halla crossed her arms. “Besides, you’re not the only one the Norn are calling.”
Larissa’s fingers froze in her hair. “What?”
Halla removed her own lavender gown and changed into something less conspicuous. Her slow movements grated against Larissa’s taut nerves, but Halla seemed to be working up the courage to tell her something.
“I didn’t tell you, because I didn’t know how you’d react. When they—burned—me . . .” Halla stumbled over the words. “Vereandi was the one who took away the pain. She told me to come to her and that you would know how to find her.”
Larissa sank to her bed, groaning into her hands. Taking Halla was not part of her plan.
“Halla, Smaragd is under Shiko’s control. I know nothing of the Regent there. I could be leading you straight into danger.”
“We shouldn’t be separated. Bad things happen when we’re separated.” Halla bent down to retrieve a jacket from the ground, and Larissa’s throat clogged at the sight of the scar at the base of her neck.
A soft knock at the door was followed by Anara sliding through the small gap. She raised an eyebrow at the bickering sisters. “So, we’re still going then?”
“I’m not going to sit here and do what Torsten tells me when the Norn have the answers.”
“Never doubted you for a minute.” Anara revealed the two bags slung across her back. Clearly, she’d done more than wait in the hall. She grabbed the empty bag and tossed it to Larissa, who only just managed to catch it. “Put your stuff in there.”
Larissa shoved in extra clothes. “Then why were you so quiet with Torsten? Why—?”
“—didn’t I say anything?” Anara finished for Larissa. “I knew there was no point in arguing with him when we were going to do what needed to be done.”
“Better to ask forgiveness than permission?” Halla offered.
Anara grinned. “I don’t really ask for either.”
Halla glanced at the door. “Where’s Kai?”
“Grabbing his own bag; I figured you’d be coming with us and would want him to come along too.”