Chapter 24 Freija #3
“Fine,” I whispered. “Hans will not be around much longer.”
“He has been sent away?” Halvar peered over my head as if surveying the crowd for threats.
“The courtship has been concluded.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I could never fall in love with him.”
Halvar’s eyes snapped to mine.
I sucked in a breath. There was the truth. Out in the open. For him to hear.
The pressure against my lower back grew stronger. “Why?”
Because we had very little in common. Because he didn’t make me laugh with him.
Because he didn’t make me feel like the only thing of importance whenever we were in a room together.
Because when I went to sleep at night, my mind only drifted to one man.
The man who currently held me in his arms and looked at me with both hope and fear.
“Why?” he repeated.
I held his gaze. “Because he wasn’t the one.”
Halvar’s chest stopped moving, as did his feet, drawing us to a stop in the middle of the dance floor.
The great room and its occupants slowly came back into view in the periphery of my vision, drawing me out of the dream we’d cocooned ourselves in.
His hands fell from me and my heart clenched as he slowly shook his head—
“Halvar!” Father’s voice echoed above the crowd and Halvar’s head whipped toward the noise.
“Your Majesty?”
Father waved him over with as much jovial exuberance as a fae child who had successfully levitated a boulder for the first time.
Halvar turned back to me and I straightened. “Go. He needs you.”
With a nod, Halvar strode to the edge of the dance floor.
It was definitely time to go.
Before I said anything else.
Before I got caught.
Before the stares made my skin crawl even more than they currently did.
I needed to take my leave, and I didn’t have much time. Halvar would no doubt wrangle himself free of whatever obligation Father was trying to foist upon him and come searching for me. Which was exactly what I needed him to do if mine and Ragnhild’s plan were to work.
I rushed from the center of the ballroom, dodged around dancing couples, and aimed for the guarded entrance.
A swish of purple came into view and blocked my path with a concerned smile.
Mother.
“Where are you going, dear?”
“Not feeling too well.”
Concern creased her features. “Oh no. Was it something you ate? A cold you caught from Hans? I saw him leave earlier too.”
Well, that certainly proved my point that we were being watched closely and that I’d been wise to shield him in the corner.
“Hans said he needed some air, but I think I might be coming down with something. I feel a little lightheaded and I’m sure rest will be best for me.”
She reached out and brushed her hand over my upper arm. “Rest and liquids. I can also send for a healer—”
“No.” I schooled my fear, hopefully before she could notice, and sidestepped around her.
“I’m sure it’s just a cold like you said.
No need to trouble any of the healers. They have much more important work to attend to.
” And shouldn’t be paying any visits to my chamber or I’d never get out of the mountain tonight.
“Very well. I will see you tomorrow at your father’s council meeting.”
“I will see you then.”
Watching her saunter back into the celebrations, I searched the room for— There he was, caught in conversation with Karl-Mogens and frowning like he hated every second of it.
Our eyes caught across the room and everything else disappeared as he cocked his head.
I smiled quickly, winked, and spun for the exit.
That should pique Halvar’s interest.
Without further preamble, and no one else stopping me, I scurried down the tunnels to my chambers. I’d spent far too long dancing with Halvar—even though I could have spent all night in his arms—and Ragnhild was probably growing impatient waiting for us.
Passing the guard stationed outside my door and blowing into my rooms like a strong winter gale, I quickly undressed, replacing the beautiful silver and white gown with the wool, navy one that was far more travel friendly and wouldn’t spark any suspicion about who I was.
Like most royals and those who trained their magic, I could mirage some of my features for a long period of time, but to use my magic on clothes and ears and hair…
No, that would be dangerous and could leave me vulnerable.
This venture was already fraught with peril, but I wouldn’t leave myself susceptible to attack.
With that in mind, I strapped a leather belt around my hip and sheathed the dagger Halvar had given me, then focused on the last few things I would need.
Grabbing my latest gifted book from my nightstand and another pair of wool stockings, I yanked the leather satchel from underneath my bed and stuffed them inside with the items I’d prepared this morning.
With a note on the table to my parents about the altered departure—an envelope that my attendant, Alva, would no doubt take to their chambers in the morning—I grabbed my cloak and bag, and was ready to go. Now, all I needed was Halvar and to rid us of watchful eyes.
I opened the door a notch and poked my head into the hall. A lone soldier I didn’t recognize stood watch beside the door, the others who often guarded the passageway having been given leave to attend the festivities. His gaze flicked to me.
“Your Highness? Is something wrong?”
Pinching my lips together, I shook my head. “My… erm… My courses have started,” I said with as much mock embarrassment as I could muster. “And I am out of cloths.”
His face blanched.
“Would you be so kind as to fetch some for me from the medical wing?”
He tightened his grip on the hilt of the sword at his hip and surveyed the hall as if looking for someone else who might be capable of fulfilling my request.
It took every ounce of effort not to roll my eyes. Why were so many men willing to draw blood on the battlefield, but when it came to a woman’s monthly bleed, they scurried away in fear?
“I’m in urgent need,” I added when the soldier still hadn’t budged. In truth, I hadn’t been in need for almost a century, having opted to take the contraceptive tonic concocted by our healers eons ago.
He cleared his throat. “I’m under orders, Your Highness, not to leave—”
“And I’m already bleeding on the floor. Do you want Halvar to return and ask why my rooms are a mess?” It was a cruel threat, but if the soldier didn’t leave his spot soon, we’d miss our boat and all Ragnhild’s work coordinating our great escape would’ve been for naught.
“I… I…” He let out a sigh and brushed the back of his hand across his forehead. “I will fetch the items. But please, don’t go anywhere and don’t answer the door should anyone knock.”
I bit my bottom lip and nodded, giving him what I hoped was a demure look of gratitude. “Thank you. I won’t be going anywhere in my condition.”
The soldier gave me a quick head bow, then scampered down the hall and out of sight, his footsteps echoing behind him.
A puff of relief slipped from me.
Men.
I turned back into my room, threw my cloak around my shoulders and waited all of a minute before a hefty knock sounded and my door swung open.
Stepping toward the unhappy guard, I was met with a low grumble and tense muscles.
Halvar’s eyes raked over my newly adorned cloak and satchel, and a shiver ran down my spine.
“Where do you think you’re going?”