Chapter 24 Freija
Freija
Tonight’s dress had to be perfect. Not only would it need to impress my parents and the fae attending the ball, it also needed to be practical and easy to change out of.
Because tonight I would be meeting Ragnhild by the fjord as part of her plan to get me away from the mountain—Halvar and two guards in tow.
The missive had arrived this morning, hand-delivered by a Forest Fae messenger that Halvar and his soldiers had escorted to the Council chamber for the handover.
She’d given me a time, place, and instructions to wear warm attire.
So, whatever dress I picked out tonight would have to do double duty. First, it had to distract from the fact that I wore boots unfit for a ball, and second it had to be easy to get out of and into something more weather appropriate.
I studied the three dresses draped over the edge of my bed.
The red one, with three-quarter-length sleeves and a low neckline, was ideal for a ball with dancing, but the corset would slow me down.
The green one would blend with the trees should I decide to keep it on and need to hide in the forest, but it lacked the ornamental details that would be necessary to not stoke suspicion at the ball.
Which left the sparkly white dress. The top half was like a high-collared coat, silver buttons fastening the front, while the skirt splayed out in waves of shimmering fabric.
Definitely had to go with the last one—it was the easiest one to slip out of.
I snatched the white dress and put it on.
After donning extra thick and long stockings and shoving my feet into my most comfortable boots, I sat down at my dresser mirror and set to work on my hair.
Fully up would no doubt fall apart after a few days, but a half-up half-down look would be suitable for both of tonight’s ventures.
A knock sounded at the door as I pinned the last strand of hair into the spiraled braids on the back of my head. “Come in!”
The door swung open and I caught Halvar stepping into the room through the mirror’s reflection.
A breath caught in my throat and I grew lightheaded.
His uniform jacket strained at the shoulders and arms, perfectly capturing his broad frame, while the dark gray material highlighted his bright eyes.
He looked like a deadly marvel crafted of the finest steel or carved from the mountain itself—all rugged edges, thick stone, and an imposing presence that left me a little awestruck.
If anyone dared cross his path, they would be killed in the most brutal fashion while forced to stare at a handsome face.
It was impossible to stop the tingling sensation that ran through my body at the sight.
As he closed the door, those eyes flicked to mine in the mirror, and something low in my stomach fluttered. Swallowing hard, but holding his stare, I muttered, “Is it time?”
He nodded and his gaze slid down my back.
A shudder ran along my spine as heat flushed my cheeks.
The effect this man’s presence had on me was unbelievable—certainly unlike anyone had ever had on me before.
At this rate I needn’t bother with the crushed berry powder for my cheeks.
In fact, it was probably best I didn’t. If my plan were to succeed, I needed to look pale and slightly ill.
“Are you ready?” Halvar’s rumbly voice wrapped around me like a shawl, drawing me from my thoughts.
“I believe so.” I rose from my stool and turned to face him. Those eyes raked across me once again, and my toes curled in my boots. “Do I look ready?”
I don’t know what came over me or why those words slipped from my lips. Any time I was around Halvar, it was as if my mouth had a mind of its own. Seeking trouble when it shouldn’t be.
The lump in his throat bobbed. “Beautiful.”
My toes scrunched harder and the room shrank around us.
From the way his heated gaze lingered on me, it felt like a genuine response.
Not one said for the sake of being polite or diplomatic.
The thought of Halvar believing me beautiful was a treacherous path that set my body aflame, whether I wanted to walk that road or not.
Halvar cleared his throat and diverted his stare to the floor between us.
Seems like I’m not the only one struggling.
It was a shame he was going to be furious with me by the end of the night.
“Will you escort me, please?” I held out my arm, crooking my elbow. “I’ve been feeling a little lightheaded this evening.”
It wasn’t really a lie. Since he’d entered the room I’d felt as if the air had thinned.
A line formed between his brows. “Are you unwell?”
“Perhaps there’s something brewing.” I touched my fingers to my forehead, pretending to check for a fever. “But I’m expected at the ball, so I’ll muddle through.”
His chest rumbled as he stepped across the room. He pressed the inside of his wrist to my forehead, then gently brushed his fingers down the side of my face before touching the soft flesh underneath my chin. If I hadn’t been feverish before, I certainly was now.
“Warm,” he mumbled.
“We’ll just have to see if it progresses through the evening.”
He pursed his lips but removed his fingers from my face and hooked my arm around his. “Tell me if you start to feel worse.”
I settled my free hand atop his bicep and refrained from wrapping my fingers around the hard muscle.
Halvar let out a long breath and peered down at me. “Are you sure you are well enough?”
“I’ll be fine. Come, let’s get tonight over with.”
Another rumble left his chest and we set off for the ball.
The great room had been transformed into a haven of music, magic, and chatter.
The far side of the cavern hosted the orchestra, and tables filled with towering treats and overflowing plates lined the right side of the room.
Strings of Fjell Fae light magic draped across the rugged ceiling, while couples in fancy garb twirled beneath them on the large dance floor.
Hundreds of heads turned in our direction as a sentry prepared to announce my arrival.
Halvar’s arm slid from mine and he took a single step back, positioning himself behind me.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” the sentry bellowed, “Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Freija.”
A round of applause mixed with murmuring voices. I plastered a smile on my face and took a few steps into the crowd.
The sentry cleared his throat, then exclaimed, “Fjell Head Guard, Halvar Haraldson.”
A unified gasp swelled within the room and all eyes landed on the man behind me. It was as if a legend walked among them, and I guessed, with his storied history of bloody battles, he was a bit of a legend.
“I heard he ripped a Viking clean in half during the last skirmishes in Scotland.”
“A hundred men, all by himself. Dead.”
“That axe of his can cleave through a man’s throat in a blink of an eye. Did it back when we were stationed together up north. The most gruesome thing I’ve ever seen.”
Sounded like Halvar was under as much scrutiny as I was.
I ignored the whispers, peered over my shoulder, and found Halvar storming up behind me, face tense, eyes inspecting every part of the room. He reached my back and said, “Let’s find your parents.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“After you, Your Highness.” He motioned for the parting crowd.
Full title. Not Princess. Interesting. Then again, we were in public with a hundred or more pairs of eyes on us. He should be using the full title.
I straightened and wound my way through the crowd, greeting people with gentle smiles and nods until I spotted my parents near the back of the room. They’d been set up near the dais, a pair of guards watching over them as they welcomed guests and accepted well wishes for many more birthdays.
“Mother, Father,” I said upon approach.
Love-filled eyes swung toward me and smiles lit up their faces.
“Freija, darling.” Mother opened her arms for an embrace. “Don’t you look stunning.”
“Thank you,” I replied, accepting the quick hug before turning to Father. “Happy birthday.”
Father’s cheeks pinked. “You look marvelous.” His gaze tilted upward and over my shoulder. “Ah, Halvar. I heard you’ve been training my daughter relentlessly.”
“Yes, sir.” Halvar stepped up beside me and bowed. “She has been a good student.”
“She always was,” Father replied. “You know, back when she was a young fae, she’d ask for more materials to study from our historians and librarians. Can you believe it? A young fae actually wanting to spend more time on their studies instead of running around with their friends.”
Heat washed over me, and I wanted to hide beneath one of the food tables. Why did he have to bring up my childhood to Halvar of all people? I was a grown woman.
Halvar’s lips tilted at one corner.
Oh, ancestors. Perhaps that violinist could run me through with their stick?
“Has she asked for more homework from you?” Mother brushed her hands across the purple skirt of her dress.
Halvar shook his head. “Not yet.”
And I had no plans to. This line of conversation needed to stop now. “I dare say requesting more training sessions might hurt my back.”
Halvar side-eyed me.
“What?” It was true. My entire body ached from morning ‘til dusk thanks to his training, and I’d already had to request some tonics and time with a healer to tend the pain in my lower back.
But I had to be honest. I turned to my parents.
“The training sessions have proven very useful and I’ve grown stronger. ”
“That’s wonderful to hear.” Father beamed and Mother nodded.
“What’s wonderful?” a male voice asked and Hans appeared on the other side of Halvar. Which was rather brave, all things considered. I got the feeling the two didn’t really like each other. He bowed to my parents. “Your Majesties.”
“Hans Fredrickson, thank you so much for joining the night’s celebrations.”
“I wouldn’t miss it, sir. Many happy returns.”
“Thank you kindly. As for the wonderful, we speak of my eldest of course.”
Han’s gaze slid over Halvar to me. “Why am I not surprised?”