Chapter 31
They followed Gerrie down the hall, walking close enough that their hands brushed more than once.
Her body was urging her closer to him and it took more restraint than she’d admit to anyone to not close the distance between them. Solveig still hummed with the energy of Westley’s kiss.
Goddess, that kiss.
She felt it everywhere, felt him everywhere, invading her entire body. Her magic was charged and ready to strike—she’d almost attacked Gerrie when she’d interrupted them.
Thankfully she’d had some brain power left.
The throne room doors opened to reveal the remains of last night’s ball, the hall still in complete disarray. Empty platters of food, half-drunken goblets of wine, and discarded articles of clothing. It must’ve been a real revelry after she passed out.
Under normal circumstances, the mess would have been tidied by morning, but nothing about last night had been ordinary.
Thinking of the mortal girl was a struggle. She pitied the child, and yet, her claim on West made Solveig’s blood boil.
Koa and Aelfsi sat in their thrones on the dais whispering to each other, not bothering to stop as the three joined them. It seemed they weren’t the only ones the queens had summoned.
The Alfheim princes, as well as Westley’s sisters, were already there, fully dressed in their finery, looking out of place in the trashed grand hall.
Sten stood off to the side, looking as uncomfortable as ever in his own skin. Solveig immediately tensed upon taking in the sight—this would not be good.
Her mothers took their time ending their private conversation, and when they did, they assessed Solveig and Westley.
Could they tell? Her lips still felt swollen from Westley’s earth-shattering kiss, and a quick glance to the side, which did not escape the queens’ notice, showed he looked as dishevelled as she felt.
“Did you enjoy your ride?” Aelfsi asked, a mischievous glint in her gaze. Solveig fought the urge to roll her eyes at her mother in public.
“Yes, Helle enjoyed being with her herd again,” Solveig answered tersely.
“Last night confirmed the situation has escalated. While we will not declare all-out war just yet, we have pieces to move around the board,” Koa began.
“Prince Westley, you and your sisters will head to Midgard,” Aelfsi commanded.
“If we are to get to the bottom of your grandfather’s betrayal, we must see how the mortals are faring under his influence.
Princess North has already written to your parents under the guise of making amends for the loss of the mortal daughter and swaying you back to their side. ”
Solveig scrutinized the sisters of Idavoll, who stood strong and prepared. Westley’s attention remained on the queens. He looked for all the world like he wanted to argue but kept his mouth shut. Solveig didn’t have such qualms.
“And you are now taking orders from the queens of Asgard?” Solveig asked North directly. Westley brushed his hand against hers.
North inclined her head. “I do not see it as taking orders, General. We have counselled together and agreed this was the best course of action, for the sake of both realms.”
That was good enough for Solveig. She had enough respect for her mothers, and burgeoning respect for the Idavoll princess, that she would not question their decisions.
“Am I not heading to Midgard as well?” she asked the queens.
“No, we have another task for you,” Koa answered. With a quick glance around the room, understanding dawned.
“I assume you’re sending me to Alfheim then,” Solveig stated. Westley shifted on his feet, as if widening his stance. “Would it not be more prudent to accompany the Idavoll heirs to Midgard? So far I am the only one able to detect and banish the shadows.”
“And it nearly killed you,” Aelfsi said calmly. Westley tensed.
“That is an exaggeration. I merely passed out. I was nowhere near death,” Solveig said, fighting the urge to roll her eyes again. It was physically painful.
“We do not want Asgard’s presence felt in Midgard yet. You know this, Solveig,” Koa censured.
“Very well,” Solveig acquiesced.
A long, loaded pause stretched between them. Her mothers knew she did not agree with this course, but they were not willing to budge. And as a loyal daughter and general, Solveig was forced to stand down.
“You are correct,” Aelfsi continued like there had been no argument. “We would like you to set off for Alfheim with the princes. Lord Conalle and Gerrie will accompany you. As well as your Seer.”
“This is to be a diplomatic meeting?” Solveig asked warily. She’d rather lead her army into battle. Grief overwhelmed her at the thought of her fallen legion, drowning out the lingering passion that had lifted her spirits.
“Yes,” Vali chimed in. “Alfheim must be roused to action. They have sat on the sidelines in apathy for too long. The Trifold needs them—Yggdrasil needs them.”
“We will convene in Idavoll once you have succeeded. The king and queen have invited Asgard to their palace. It is the perfect excuse to regroup,” Aelfsi explained.
“When do we leave?” Westley asked, his eyes flicking to Solveig.
“Immediately,” Aelfsi ordered. “Your bags are being packed as we speak, and your horses have been readied.”
Westley and Solveig shared a glance. She saw the longing in his eyes, the resignation at their parting.
“Heirs of Idavoll, you may go now. A ship will be waiting at the eastern docks. Goddess speed to you and may Heimdall watch your path.”
The dismissal was clear. Solveig hesitated before embracing Westley. His arms came around her immediately, holding her close. She breathed in his scent of rain and sea—whatever the queens had in store for her, something was about to change between them.
Again.
I will see you soon, she promised.
Don’t get yourself killed by those bloodthirsty Elven.
Solveig’s body shook as she laughed. Enjoy the docile mortals.
The embrace was too brief.
Westley cast one last look back at her before exiting the throne room, tossing a phantom caress into her mind, raising the hairs on her body. The Idavoll sisters smiled at Solveig, and each lay a hand on her arm as they passed to join their brother.
When they were gone, she turned back to the queens, who regarded her with curiosity. Solveig ignored their unasked questions.
“Am I to leave now for Alfheim?”
“Yes, you will travel with Prince Vali and his brothers.” Koa hesitated. “Solveig, your purpose there is more than just to rouse the Elven to action. We mean to unite our kingdoms,” Koa said. She didn’t elaborate, as though Solveig would understand without explanation.
They couldn’t mean . . .
“What exactly would you like me to do while I’m there?”
“We would like you to find a suitable husband,” Koa ordered.
Shock struck Solveig like a tidal wave, forcing her to shut down her emotions lest any thoughts should slip through her walls. She didn’t want to alarm Westley.
Before she could protest, her sister continued. “This is the best path for the future of the realms. You are a powerful Vanir and also our daughter—a marital alliance with Alfheim would ensure their continued allegiance and support, even after the war.”
Solveig stood in disbelief, the heat of Westley’s body still lingering in hers, though her blood ran cold at the future laid out before her. She cleared her throat.
“Then maybe it’s time for you to name an heir who could marry into Alfheim.”
“You know that is not so simple,” Aelfsi said sharply.
Koa turned to the Alfheim princes, who stood to the side. “You may leave now. Solveig will join you in a moment.”
The princes bowed to the queens, and soon enough only Gerrie, Solveig, and her mothers remained.
“You are four hundred and twenty-six years old. It is time to take a husband—a partner,” Koa said, her voice soft.
“You know I never meant to marry,” Solveig said quietly. “You promised you would never force me.”
“An arranged marriage is not a bad thing.” Aelfsi tried to comfort her with words Solveig thought she would never hear.
Aelfsi approached carefully, as if sensing Solveig’s warring emotions, rightfully wary of them.
She stood in front of her. “This is its own kind of battlefield, Sol, one that you have been raised for.”
“We will not force you,” Koa said, joining them. “But we do hope that you can see how valuable this would be, how many people you could save.”
Solveig swallowed the rising emotions down, her magic consuming them. She stepped out of her mothers’ hold, unable to stand the comfort while still reeling from the news.
Just this morning she’d raced with Helle along the beach, almost carefree. It had energized and recharged her. Enough so that when she’d encountered Westley, she had been strong enough to be honest about her feelings.
She’d been strong enough to allow herself to start forgiving him. And she’d been rewarded with the most incredible moment of her existence.
In an hour, it had become nothing but a dream she’d had to wake up from too soon.
Another life she had to leave behind.
It was a cruel trick from the gods.
“Very well. It has been good to see you,” Solveig said stiffly. She left through the side entrance, not wishing to cross paths with Westley after learning her fate. Her magic darkened, tendrils of light flickering within her as the storm brewed outside.
Time for battle.
Koa sighed, watching her sister’s retreating form. Aelfsi’s hand found hers as their daughter left them. Solveig’s emotions were volatile, but Koa didn’t blame her.
“Are we doing the right thing?” Aelfsi whispered, turning to meet Koa’s gaze.
She smiled sadly at her wife. “Yes, love, we are.”
Aelfsi pressed their foreheads together. “I know,” she said, resigned. “But at the moment, it feels wrong.”
“The hard choices always do. But I have Seen this. They are the key, and they must walk these separate paths,” Koa said, leaning in to place a small kiss on Aelfsi’s lips. She missed the feel of their bond when they touched.
“She has been through so much already. Putting her through more feels cruel.”
“Her happiness is coming,” Koa assured her, though doubt trickled like ice through her veins. She’d had these visions before the Block, before this all began. She did not know if the lack of magic changed anything.
They had to trust in her Sight—it had never steered them wrong.
She lost herself in Aelfsi’s eyes a moment more, the two queens burdened by their daughter’s turmoil. Aelfsi gave her a small smile, lifting some of the weight from Koa’s shoulders.
“Gerrie.” Koa called Solveig’s shieldmaiden over to them. “There is one more thing we must ask of you.”
“Yes, my Queens, anything.”
Gerrie listened as Koa delivered her final order, the blood draining from her face.