Chapter 7 #2
“He isn’t.” I laughed, and although the sound felt strange leaving my throat, like a foreign lump I had to expel, it was convincing enough.
“You know my father. He found a new piece of land with crops we’d never seen before.
He couldn’t resist, and he wanted Lika with him.
Lika can’t say no to an epic battle—being a war hero and all that helps him with his women—and since I’ve been secretly training as heir, my father decided I would take over while Lika continues to manage our warriors. It’s been really—”
Viljan cleared his throat, and when I turned, he made a cut-it-out gesture with his hands.
Fuck. I’d been rambling. I snapped my lips shut, fighting for my life to keep the smile plastered on my face, my teeth clenched so hard my jaw started to ache.
Ivren’s dark brows pulled, his eyes shooting from the overgrown forest behind us to the food tent from which mouthwatering scents drifted our way—wood, meat, and rich ale filling the summer breeze—and then back again.
I saw the exact moment he understood.
He jerked back for a moment. Then his eyes glossed. His hands fisted by his sides.
His voice lowered, only a fraction, but enough for me to hear everything he wanted to say in the one word he uttered. “Elvara.”
“Fuck,” Viljan growled.
When metal clinked, my stomach flipped, and despite the warm summer night, my veins froze to ice as Viljan gripped his axes in his hands and stalked closer to me than he’d ever done before.
Five feet.
Four.
Three.
“Stop,” I croaked, and I wasn’t entirely certain at first what the expression on Viljan’s face was—what the wild eyes, flushed cheeks, and thin lips meant.
But then his brows drew high, and I realized it was surprise.
I’d surprised him for the first time in the ten years he’d protected me, and not in a good way.
“I—” I started, but Ivren interrupted me.
“May Odin protect them on their journey,” he said, his smile returning, albeit turning far cooler when it moved Viljan’s way.
“Apologies, I was disappointed at first—I’d looked forward to spending the next few years with Lika, but of course furthering our king’s borders is more important.
I’m glad he sees it. And I am glad you’re here, Elvara.
I’m sure we’ll be good friends as well.”
I narrowed my eyes, but he only hiked his lips higher, his head shaking almost imperceptibly. Ivren’s eyes drew to the groups of karls walking around us, and he whispered, “Not here. Never here. There is always someone listening.”
His voice returned to the deep one he’d greeted us with as he continued. “I see now. You definitely shouldn’t waste your power on these karls,” he said loudly enough for anyone to hear. “I still remember my bruises from when we last practiced.”
We’d never practiced—Lika had been too protective for that—but I gave him a teasing smile anyway.
As I kept my face his way, my foot snagged on a spot on the ground where the grass hadn’t been so trampled, and Ivren’s hand flew out to steady me.
My body swayed, nearly bringing me down once more, before his strong fingers locked around my wrist.
“Careful,” he said quietly. “You need to be careful here, Elvara.”
My eyes darted between his. As I pulled a sharp breath at the warning in his tone, his hand was ripped away, and Ivren flew backward onto grassy ground.
“Don’t touch her,” my guard snarled, moving both himself and Ivren out of my space.
Ivren chuckled hoarsely. “Her father’s rules don’t apply to me, karl. Besides, me touching her… that’s the least of your problems if you intend to keep her safe.” He nodded to Geord and the others who stood watching. “That’s where you need to keep your focus.”
“I intend to do both, heir,” Viljan shot back. The vein on his neck strained as he and Ivren shoved out their chests, trying to stare each other down, each used to being the largest man in the room.
By fucking Odin.
“Stop,” I ordered.
Ivren’s dark blue and Viljan’s light blue eyes flew to mine.
“Just stop,” I echoed. “Ivren is right. He’s not the issue.” When Viljan’s face angled to his damp boots, I added, “You’re also right, Viljan.”
I offered Ivren my hand, helping him up from the grass. “I decide if someone gets to put their hands on me, and I don’t recall giving you permission.”
Ivren did nothing to keep away the grin spreading across his face.
“You have really changed, haven’t you?” he said. “I don’t recall you being so authoritative.”
“It’s been what? Ten years?” I lifted my shoulders. “I am the Sweengard heir. Of course I’ve changed.”
Ivren wiggled his brows. “I like it.”
“For fuck’s s—” Viljan started.
“Viljan,” I warned, silencing him.
“You watch it as well,” I added when Ivren laughed. “Now, I need to eat something before I bite either of your heads off.”
“I’ll join you,” Ivren said at the same time Viljan growled, “Not without me.”
I shook my head. “You can’t protect me every minute of every day, you know.”
“Yes, I can,” Viljan argued.
“Maybe not,” Ivren replied. “But I am quite fun to have around.”
My eyes rolled into my head before I gave Ivren a sharp flick of my wrist. “Thank you for helping us back there, but I’m sure you have somewhere to be.”
He waited for a beat, but as he saw the truth in my eyes, he gave me a slow nod. Ivren spun on his heel, a shadow of a smile still twisting his lips.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Viljan’s arms folded over his chest.
“I didn’t ask you to,” I said as I joined the line for food. “I assume you haven’t eaten either.”
And I had a feeling I would need Viljan to be in peak form if our days continued like this.