Chapter 48 Freija
Freija
That evening fae filled the Council room’s table, with me back at the head of it. From Halvar at the far end representing our armed forces, to one of Trygve’s healer apprentices, to fae of all trades and histories, the Council was a solid amalgamation of backgrounds.
I rose to my full height and clasped my hands before me. “Thank you for coming to today’s meeting. My apologies again for cutting yesterday’s short. I don’t have a large agenda for us, but I do have several important things to tell you.”
Wide eyes stared back at me, several brows furrowed by curiosity.
“Karl-Mogens was killed today.”
Gasps, expletives, and a choking cough replied.
“How?”
“Who?”
“Why on earth?”
“Who would want to kill him?” Thyra added, and my focus turned to her.
“Me for one,” I replied. “The person he threatened to have kidnapped.”
“H-he…” Birger stuttered looking utterly aghast. “He was behind the threats?”
“Among other things. Is there anyone who would like to add to his list of crimes against this mountain?”
Silence filled the room, but Thyra and Marthe both squirmed in their seats. Halvar’s gaze cut to them and he gave me a nod. We were right. Karl-Mogens had been using friends on the council to make persuasive arguments—and they took the form of my two most ardent opponents recently.
I set my hands on my hips. “Thyra? Marthe? Anything you two would like to add?”
They looked at each other and slunk in their seats. “He offered me a vice-councilor seat,” Thyra said.
I wasn’t surprised. Tilting my head and peering at Marthe, I asked, “And you? What did he offer you in exchange for voting along with him and aiding his endeavors?”
“M-money,” she whispered.
“Say that a little louder so we can all hear,” Halvar grumbled.
“Money,” she said and covered her mouth as if it pained her to say the words.
I shook my head in disappointment. Why was it always position and money that were bartered or offered in the pursuit of more power?
“Guards!” I yelled and two soldiers strode into the room. Giving them both a nod, I said, “You may take these two to the dungeon for further questioning. Halvar will be with them later.”
Whimpers rose from the two women. Little did they know Halvar was on strict orders not to kill them.
All I needed him to do was get as much information out of them as possible in case there was anyone else that had been involved with Karl-Mogens’s plans.
Then they would be allowed to remain in Skolvik or sent up north to assist our soldiers there.
Either way, they would no longer serve on my council.
The two guards removed the traitors from the chamber and shut the door with a firm thunk.
I turned back to the remaining council members who all looked like a bear had wandered in and danced a jig for them.
As quickly as I could, I explained everything that had happened in the garden earlier today.
With each sentence the Council fell into a deeper shock.
“Well,” I said. “Now that that’s settled, you should also know that I plan on taking a partner, but we have chosen to keep our relationship to ourselves.”
“Who—”
I raised my hand, cutting off the question. “It’s someone the Fjell Fae value highly and who also shares a passion for caring for our people. We request your privacy on this matter and that it shall not be shared beyond this room.”
“Very well,” Birger said with an understanding nod.
Others were less amenable.
“We’ve always known the partners of monarchs. Why should that change now?”
“Because we have a new Queen.”
“She asked for privacy.”
“But the Council should be informed.”
How was this what they got up in arms about? Or maybe they’d been bombarded by one too many shocks already during this meeting? Oh well, it was too late now and I wasn’t changing my stance on my blossoming relationship with Halvar.
“To what end?”
“This has been the way for centuries.”
“Things can change.”
“But should they?”
Halvar slammed his palm against the stone table, and everyone’s heads whipped round to face him. “It’s up to her to decide when and if she wants to share,” he said. Gasps and a squeak I couldn’t place flitted around the room. “Does anyone take issue with that?”
Several members squirmed in their seats like they wanted to counter but feared for their heads.
“Moving forward,” I started, “there will be no requirement for a monarch to marry for the betterment of the mountain nor any interference from the Council on whom any monarch may choose to form a relationship with. Is that understood?”
Heads nodded, but I wasn’t going to settle on a verbal agreement. One thing my lessons had taught me was to always put important decisions in writing. “Good. I will draw up the article myself and we can bring it to a vote at our next meeting. Now, shall we move on to other matters?”
Birger cleared his throat. “Perhaps that would be best. We did receive a report that the fissure we’ve been monitoring down the mountain has expanded slightly.”
“How far?” I asked.
“Only two millimeters,” he replied.
That was almost inconsequential, but two millimeters would lead to two more which would suddenly turn into a dangerous crack if we didn’t get a team on repairs swiftly.
“Can we send Brokkr from the forge to see what he might be able to do?” I asked.
“That’s a good idea, Your Majesty,” Birger replied. “I will coordinate the effort.”
“Excellent. Thank you.” I peered around the table. “Any other important matters to discuss?”
Johan piped up. “The cavern entrance to the Fjord Fae realm… The one they use to enter the mountain without being seen by the humans…”
“Yes, what about it?” I asked.
“We think it may need widening, but only slightly, to allow for greater access.”
While I wasn’t the biggest fan of King Balder of the Fjord, expanding their entrance would be seen as a peace offering and good faith upon my taking up the throne. “Get me drawings and let’s discuss further,” I replied.
Halvar cleared his throat. “I want an extra guard down there too. In addition to the two already stationed there.”
“I think that would be wise,” I said. One could never be too cautious and with how vulnerable we’d been recently, I didn’t want any entrance to the mountain to be left unguarded or minimally so at any time. “Anything else?”
Shaking heads replied.
“Very well, then. Next time we will discuss the food resources plans, but for now, this meeting is adjourned. Thank you all for your time,” I said. “Halvar, can you stay behind please?”
“Of course.”
The rest of the Council rose from their seats and murmured their goodbyes before setting off. The last person slipped from the room, leaving me alone with Halvar.
He stared down the long table at me, and my toes curled in my boots from the heat in his gaze. “Did you really want to talk?”
I shook my head gently.
A rakish smile slowly appeared. He stood and ambled toward me, hands on the sword belt at his hips. “Was there something else you needed?”
Ancestors, why did that sound so sexual and why did my body reach a feverish heat whenever he looked at me like that? I shook off the heady sensation. “Was that all right? Did you think the meeting went well?”
He gently tilted my head up to his and swept his thumb across my cheek where my little scar had healed thanks to Trygve’s healing magic. “You were magnificent,” he said.
My heart beat faster, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“An excellent leader who will be anointed Queen in the coming days. You should be proud.”
“I am, and I’m glad to have you by my side.”
He pulled me against his chest and wrapped his arms around me. “I’m not going anywhere.”