Chapter 26
The sky is pastel blue, the kind of blue that hints at a sunny, happy day. Waves break almost silently against the shore, as if they are also too sad to make a sound. The scent of rain and cedar seeps into the marrow of my bones, quelling the lingering anxiety I feel standing next to her boat.
This is it.
My Gran is gone.
I have no family left. Well, not any family I know.
I’m all alone.
Lachlan brushes against me, his touch reminding me I’m not technically alone.
I have my friends, I’m not alone.
My black gown twists around my legs in the ocean breeze.
Freya says heartfelt, kind words to the crowds gathered on the black sand beach.
I don’t know how many people are here. I can’t even look at the boat to my right.
My eyes stay locked on the ocean before me.
The constant swelling and rushing of the water against the sand is in line with my breathing.
In and out.
I can do this.
The royal guards step up, black wings shimmering in the early morning light.
They push the large boat out to sea. Ornate carvings line the hull, the curling bow and stern, some of the grandest work I’ve ever seen on this island.
Water sloshes around them as they heave.
The same water races up the shore mere feet away from me.
I want to run into those waves.
I want to scream under the water where no one can hear me.
My head throbs. The weight of the crown upon my brow reminds me of its presence and the fact that duty dictates I stand here and not run into the water.
Freya hands me a bow, an arrow already knocked.
With numb fingers, I reach out and take it. The wood feels foreign in my hand. I turn to Torin as he holds out the torch.
The arrow catches fire, the flame so bright it illuminates my face, causing me to squint.
Inhaling sharply through my nose, I hold my breath. 1. 2. 3. 4.
I exhale. 1. 2. 3. 4.
The bowstring against my fingertips is so tight that it stings, biting into my flesh. My eyes flutter close as my fingers release their hold on the string. The flaming arrow arcs high into the air.
The current catches the boat and it surges further into the distance, tugging it away from the shore.
From me.
A near silent thunk sounds as the arrow impacts the hull. Straw surrounding her body catches fire. The flames climb high into the air, a plume of black smoke swirls into the brightening sky.
A ball of flame floating on the black water.
Rays of sunlight pierce the horizon right where her boat floats. A beam of light sent from the heavens.
And then that’s it.
She’s gone.
The flame is snuffed out as the boat sinks below the surface.
Like a life gone too soon.
My breath hitches in the back of my throat. Lachlan slips an arm around my shoulders, pulling me against him. The heat of him soaks into me, battling the chill that has gripped me.
We stand there like that long after everyone leaves, and the sun has risen high in the sky.
He doesn’t pull me from the ocean, or make any comments about strength or duty. He just stands beside me, offering the quiet support I desperately need.
Gulls cry overhead and my skin starts to burn from the sun’s rays.
“When we go, we go together,” I whisper, still staring out at the sea.
Lachlan grips me tighter. He turns to me, and I feel the weight of his stare on my face. “One sailing.”
I breathe deeply, closing my eyes. “One sailing.”
Roaring laughter, merry music, and the enticing smell of roasted meat greet us as we enter the dining hall. My heels click against the marble floor as my gown swishes behind me.
Strands of flowers are draped around the walls. Pastel petals glow in the sunlight streaming in through the roof. Tables are lined with food, mead, and wine. And each seat is taken, besides two left empty at the high table.
The room falls silent as we enter and my breath stalls in my chest.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
A rhythmic slamming of cups against worn table tops beats in line with my heart. Faster and faster they sound. Giving me the courage to walk across the dining hall.
Heads bow in our wake. I release the breath I’ve been holding and climb the few steps to my table.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
My friends bow their heads or offer small smiles of encouragement as we pass and stand by behind our chairs.
Silence swallows the room.
I look out over the sea of people. People I know and don’t know. Warriors who might have lived under my mother’s rule, and Gran’s. My hands grip the carved wooden back of my chair. Carvings of poppies and ravens press into my palms.
They’re all here to honor her life. The woman who I know was more fit to rule this realm than I ever will be. We’re facing a war of the ages and we’re broken not just as a realm, but as a people.
A tear spills over, racing down my cheek. I hadn’t realized I had any left. I grab a glass of wine off the table and hold it high.
“To queen Skadi. May she live forever in the hearts of those who knew her. May her legend never die. And her name strikes courage in us all.”
A day of rest wasn’t enough to prepare me for this.
But my grief is tucked firmly away still as Lachlan and I sit side by side on the marble bench across from Odr and Freya on the terrace.
The sky is a brilliant powder blue, the leaves rustle in the breeze, and the waterfalls on the mountains behind us cast glittering rainbows into the sky.
It’s such a lovely and beautiful day, compared to the awkward tension that shrouds us.
Odr holds Freya’s hand in his lap. He wears the usual dark brown leather a shade or two lighter than his near-black hair.
I hadn’t noticed it before, but some of the lighter shades in his hair perfectly match Lachlan’s.
Freya has swapped out her leathers and instead has opted for an empire waist chiffon gown.
The ruching cut across the buttery yellow bodice, very similar to a gown my mother had worn, and Odessa.
She grimaces at Odr before focusing on us again.
“So you were raised in the human realm?”
Lachlan nods, pursing his lips, but doesn’t verbally respond.
Oh, this is awkward.
“And you too, Lena?” She shifts pleading eyes to me. My fingers absentmindedly tug at the pleats of my indigo gown. The ruffles of the cap sleeves tickle my shoulders with each breeze.
“Yes, we were actually kind of raised together. Lachlan and Torin lived at the Hall and we would come visit often. But I was really raised in the States. We traveled a lot. And my parents homeschooled me. I actually had an unusual upbringing compared to most kids…”
Lachlan strokes his thumb over my hand. I throw him an apologetic look.
“Sorry.” I grimace. “I ramble when things get awkward.”
Lachlan chuckles, shaking his head. A strand of dark hair sweeps across his brow.
“You’re right,” Freya stutters out a breath. “I’ve battled dragons, and it was easier than this.”
We all laugh at that, but she smiles sadly.
“I don’t expect you to want to spend time with us or get to know us. We wanted—needed to explain ourselves.” Her expression turns into something akin to agony.
Odr clears his throat. “To apologize.”
Freya nods and grips his hand tighter.
Lachlan shakes his head again. “There’s no need.”
My mouth parts in surprise. But he continues.
“I couldn’t imagine the pain of losing a child.
The grief ye must ha’ felt.” His gaze bounces between them.
“I’ve lived a wonderful life. And had the best childhood.
” His attention swings to me and he smiles.
“I met the love of my life.” My heart cracks wide open at the love pouring from his eyes as he looks at me.
His head swivels back to Freya and Odr. “None of that would ha’ been possible if ye had kept me. ”
Freya’s eyes hop between Lachlan and me, a smile tugging up the corner of her lips. “Something tells me you two would have found each other. But I’m very grateful you harbor no ill will towards us. Because we would desperately like to get to know you.”
Lachlan shrugs. “There’s not much to tell ye.”
I scoff at that and everyone looks my way. “That is not true at all!”
Lachlan smiles broadly and gestures towards them. “Aye, go on.”
I roll my eyes. “He’s an amazing contractor. You should see the stables he built at the Hall, expert craftsmanship. He wanted to be a pirate when we were kids,”—I tick the items off my fingers—“he hates books, loves to travel, he’s a great friend, and partner…”
Freya giggles, the sound like pealing bells.
“I could go on and on,” I say, a smile stretching across my face.
Lachlan stares at me with a mixture of happiness and pride. “You forgot—great protector, fast flier…”
I laugh harder and his smile grows.
“We missed out,” Freya says to Odr.
He smiles warmly at us, the corners of his eyes crinkle the same way that Lachlan’s do. “We knew that already.”
“What about you guys?” I ask.
Freya looks to Odr, her lips pursed in a single line. “I’m not even sure.” She chuckles.
Odr’s gaze swings our way. “I dabbled in some building in my youth and I command our armies.” He shifts towards us. “Even thought about being a pirate once.”
Freya rolls her eyes. “By dabbled he means he constructed the entire west wing of our palace.”
Lachlan and Odr immediately launch into conversation about architectural styles and the horror that has been modernization in the human realm while Freya and I look on fondly.
The day passes in the blink of an eye.
“How are ye feeling?” Lachlan asks, as I slide into bed beside him.
My nightgown is like silk against my skin as I shimmy closer to him and he watches me intently. The sheets are slung low around his hips, his bare chest visible in the warm candlelight of our room. His arms are tucked under his head and as I snuggle into his side, he wraps an arm around me.
“I’m fine.”
My head rises and falls with his words and my eyes slide shut as I inhale his familiar scent. Cedar and rain, two of my favorite things.
“Are you okay?” I turn, resting my chin on his chest as I gaze up at him.
“Aye. It’ll be nice to get to know them. To learn things about my parents that I dinna ken.”
“Hopefully, not things that will change the entirety of your life,” I tease.
A smile tugs at his lips and he looks down at me. “Aye, that would be horrible.”
“Mhm,”—I walk my fingers across the broad expanse of his chest—“like how your best friend knew all along about your important heritage and kept it from you.”
His eyes widen a fraction. “And how long ha’ ye been holding onto that one?”
“All day.”
He digs his fingers into the ticklish spot on my ribs and I erupt with laughter.
“Ye’ll be punished for that!” He laughs, tickling me again and again, as I squirm underneath him.
Fits of laughter have my lungs aching, and my legs twisting in the sheets.
He stops his torture and smiles at me as I catch my breath.
“I wasna lying, you ken.”
I heave a deep breath. “About what?” A divot forms between my brows.
“Ye are the love of my life. Mating bond or no.”
His words ease some of my lingering anxiety, and I nod, cupping his face.
“You are mine.” I raise my head, struggling to pull him closer.
He doesn’t lean forward, even with my persistent tugs. “Why do I feel like those words aren’t enough?”
I shake my head, a frown pulls down my lips. “They are. Now kiss me.”
He gives me a knowing look as he leans down, pressing his lips to my neck and then up my cheek. “I’ll prove it to ye.”