Chapter 26
The Midgard family made their way down the steps, the picture of nonchalance.
They didn’t seem nervous or intimidated as they entered what they would probably consider the lion’s den.
Given their history of enslavement and abuse by many of the races in attendance—some of which would gladly take up the old ways if they had their magic back—the mortal family held their heads high.
Solveig was glad mortal residents of Asgard were in attendance. Hopefully it would make the leaders of Midgard feel more welcome.
President Hugo led his family over to the queens on their dais.
Aelfsi signalled to Solveig with a look.
She slipped out of Conalle’s hold, striding over to her mothers’ side.
A show of strength for the queens as the Midgard representatives bowed to them.
Koa and Aelfsi inclined their heads in greeting.
“President Hugo, it is good of you to join us,” Aelfsi began.
“Thank you for accepting our invitation,” Koa finished.
“It is our pleasure.” The president bowed again. “We appreciate the gesture of goodwill.”
“Asgard has always strived for harmony between the Fae and Midgard, though it has not always been reciprocated,” Koa said, a gleam in her eye that would’ve made a lesser man than the president back down.
The president’s wife, Nina, laid her hand on her husband’s arm, censuring him. “Of course, Your Majesties, and we appreciate the lengths you have gone to to make us welcome,” Nina said graciously.
Solveig watched carefully as they offered pleasantries to her queens, looking for any signs of trickery. Her eyes fell to their daughter, who couldn’t have yet reached twenty years.
The mortal girl stood still as a statue, her pale porcelain skin appearing sickly in the white halls. Rich chocolate-brown hair fell down her back in an intricate braid, a stark contrast to her complexion.
Her gown was a deep forest-green with black trimmings.
She stood with her hands folded in front, head bowed demurely.
Though Solveig caught her curious eyes as they flicked around the room, landing on Westley, who stood to the side of the dais with his sisters, also assessing the exchange between the queens and mortals.
The mortal girl kept her eyes on the prince until she leaned in to whisper to her mother. Nina caught her husband’s attention and gave him a nod.
“Your Majesties, perhaps we could speak in private for a moment?” Hugo asked.
The queens shared a look and Koa answered, “That request cannot be granted. Feel free to speak openly here.”
Hugo looked uncomfortable at the dismissal. “Very well. Had you not invited us to your ball, we would have made the journey soon.”
“We are glad to hear of it,” Aelfsi said. Only Solveig and Koa seemed to pick up on the ounce of bitterness the queen let seep into her words.
The Midgard president reached behind, guiding his daughter to stand beside him. “May I introduce my daughter, Dayana Langley.”
Dayana bowed gracefully, even for a mortal.
“Welcome, Lady Dayana.” Koa inclined her head in greeting.
“Dayana is a very special young woman,” her father continued. “She was given to us by the gods.”
The Fae within earshot turned at the change in conversation, the hall humming with whispers.
“Are not all younglings a blessing from the gods?” Koa asked, her hand moving to cover Aelfsi’s.
“She was blessed by them.” Hugo turned to his daughter expectantly, giving her the floor. Solveig narrowed her eyes at the obvious rehearsal.
“I was chosen by the gods to unite our people.” Dayana’s voice rang clearly through the hall, strong and without hesitation. Quite frankly, it was a surprise. Solveig would’ve pegged her as soft-spoken.
Solveig and Westley shared a look, and Solveig’s magic began to churn in warning under her skin.
“That is a bold claim,” Aelfsi said, visible trepidation rising in her face.
“It is true. I was born with the gift of Sight,” Dayana claimed.
Immediately the hall burst into louder whispers and chatter at the claim of a mortal born with magic. It was unheard of. Solveig could pick out words like “chosen one” and “saviour.”
“Is that so?” Aelfsi asked, her voice now dripping with suspicion. The president narrowed his eyes at the queen but said nothing, content to let his daughter speak.
Koa was not so quick to dismiss them, however. Given that she was the greatest Seer of this generation, a mortal born with magic must intrigue her.
“What is it that you have Seen, girl?” she asked.
“I have seen the uniting of our people by marriage.”
“You wish to marry whom?”
“The most powerful Fae to have graced Yggdrasil—the true heir of Asgard.”
A hush settled over the entire hall, all eyes focused on Solveig. She was not known as the heir of Asgard, given her heritage, though the queens often hinted at such. She never wanted the crown and had turned down her mothers’ offer when they presented the heirship to her.
“I am not the heir of Asgard, nor a Fae,” Solveig said to the mortal girl, pinning her with a glare.
“Forgive me, Princess Solveig, it was not you I was referring to.” Her voice was loaded with insolence.
Solveig’s hand flinched to the daggers strapped to her thigh. Something in her gut told her she wasn’t going to like where the girl was going with this.
The urge to silence her rose like bile in the back of Solveig’s throat.
“We have not publicly named our heir. To whom could you be referring, Dayana?” Koa sounded so unfazed, it settled the feeling of unease in the hall.
Dayana’s gaze flicked to the side, landing on her claim. It was so absurd, Solveig struggled to keep her laughter contained. If she did not laugh, she might snap.
“I was chosen to marry Prince Westley Erikson, Heir of Idavoll and Asgard.”
Westley blinked in surprise at the girl. His name was the last he’d expected to hear. He wasn’t the only one shocked. The crowded ballroom that had been buzzing with noise moments ago fell silent at the declaration, the revellers too shocked to share gossip.
A hefty feat for the meddling immortals. He dared a glance at Solveig, who looked as though she was about to burst a blood vessel, a muscle twitching in her jaw.
Don’t you dare laugh, he threw her way.
Look, someone finally wants to marry you. Her inner voice laughed fully and he couldn’t help his answering smile. Dayana, unfortunately, had been looking at him and beamed, assuming the smile was meant for her. He quickly let it fall from his face.
He had to give the girl respect for her bravery. She boldly strode over to where Westley stood and knelt at his feet in a smooth, fluid motion. She had grace but it was practised, honed.
“My prince, my king,” she said, looking up through thick lashes. He felt Solveig stiffen, all sense of humour gone. The girl was serious. Her addressing him as king would not go over well if he did not tread these shark-infested waters carefully.
“Stand up, Miss Langley,” Westley muttered.
“Please, call me Dayana.” She smiled as she got to her feet, standing much too close to him. He shifted away from her, yet she followed.
“This is very interesting,” Koa mused from her throne, sharing an odd smile with Aelfsi.
Aelfsi had been tense a moment before, but now both queens were far too relaxed given the circumstance. What did they know that he didn’t?
Koa continued, “It is certainly unprecedented for a mortal to be given such powers to See not only her marriage to a Fae prince, but also to proclaim him the heir of Asgard.”
Tension coiled in the air as the hall began to separate into realms. The Idavoll Fae gathered behind his parents, some standing behind North, showing their allegiance. Westley also took a step back.
“I am not the heir of Asgard, nor do I have designs to rule Idavoll,” he said firmly.
Dayana made to follow him, but Solveig interrupted. “How do you know this, girl?”
The mortal did not take her eyes off Westley, her stare becoming possessive. “I told you, Your Highness, I have Seen it.”
“Can you prove you possess this gift of Sight?” Solveig asked.
“I can,” the mortal girl said, finally looking up at her. When the girl did nothing, Solveig cocked a brow.
“Care to show us all your blessed gift?”
“As you are a Vanir, Princess Solveig, you must know visions cannot always be called upon at will.”
“Then you must pardon my skepticism. It is possible for that which has never happened to come to pass, but you must understand that we cannot believe this bold claim simply because you say it is so.”
“I understand you may have a limited view of what is possible,” Dayana said. Westley braced for Solveig’s reaction to the girl’s impertinence.
Solveig only laughed. “How old are you?”
“I have half a turn left in my nineteenth year.”
Westley’s stomach curdled. Though mortals matured at a much faster rate than the Fae, nineteen was so fucking young.
“Then let me understand this, child. You wish to marry Prince Westley, one who is over four centuries older than you?” Solveig asked. He was glad she was voicing his inner thoughts because he was still too stunned to speak.
“I see no reason to delay. It is, in fact, inevitable.”
“How so?”
Dayana’s gaze turned to Westley, admiration in her doe eyes, her voice clear.
“I am his mate.”