“You’ll what?” Prince Baldair’s expression clashed darkly with his usually handsome exterior. “Get yourself together, Vhalla. Have you forgotten the terms the Senate gave you? Have you considered that your actions may force his hand?”
Horror stilled her, and her hands relaxed.He wouldn’t.“What do you want from me?” she whispered.
The prince leaned toward her to whisper in her ear. “Whatever you have with him,end it now.” His voice was quiet and it sounded sincere and pained. “If not for your sake, then for his.”
Vhalla’s chest tightened, but she didn’t have an opportunity to ask him what he meant. The rumble of a single horse and the whinny of an abrupt halt could be heard from outside the tent.
Prince Baldair straightened as the tent flap was thrown open. Vhalla turned and a wave of relief crashed over her as she saw the dark figure step inside.
“Ah, brother.” Prince Baldair rested his palms on his hips. “We were just talking about you.”
ALDRIK’S EYES FLICKEDfrom Vhalla to his brother. Vhalla met his gaze and pleaded with him silently to get her out of there as fast as possible. She saw him collect his emotions as he folded his hands behind his back.
“What is going on here?” His voice held a deathly stillness.
“She was caught in a brawl.” Prince Baldair glanced at Vhalla. “I was administering discipline.”
Vhalla’s head snapped back to the younger prince with a glare.Is that what he called it?
“I believe discipline falls to the subordinate’s leader.” She could hear the stress under Aldrik’s cool voice.
“Normally, yes,” Prince Baldair agreed. “But I think her leader is rather biased, don’t you?”
“Baldair ...” Aldrik didn’t even try to hide the threat in the depths of his voice.
“I think you’re confusing the woman, Aldrik. We both know how a man’s needs must be met, but she’s too young for you and your games.” Prince Baldair crossed his arms over his chest.
Vhalla refrained from pointing out that she wasn’tthatmuch younger than Baldair himself.
“What is this?” Aldrik crossed over to his brother, stopping just short to stare his brother down. “Misplaced jealousy?” Aldrik sneered. “That a woman may prefer me over you?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” the blue-eyed prince scoffed. Prince Baldair drew his height and still came up a hand shorter than his brother. “This isn’t about me or you, this is abouther.” His eyes shifted to Vhalla. “She was kind, shy, and sweet the first time I met her. Less than a year with you and look at what you’ve done to her Aldrik. She’s in black—”
“Baldair—” Aldrik snarled.
“—she’s fighting and liking it,” the younger prince continued.
“Baldair!” Aldrik’s hand balled into a fist.
“She has blood on her hands!” Prince Baldair’s face jerked back to Aldrik’s. “Do you have the audacity not to feel guilty?”
Aldrik’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
The younger prince shook his head. “At least you do.” He turned back to her with a sorrowful expression. “Vhalla, you don’t need him to shine. I tried to tell you that before the gala. Especially now, you don’t have to force yourself to stomach his presence after what he—”
Vhalla had heard enough, she briskly took the three steps between them, raised her hand and brought her open palm hard across the younger prince’s face.
Vhalla had never slapped anyone before. Perhaps Prince Baldair was right that she had changed significantly these past few months. If it was a change, she decided it was for the better as she felt a deep satisfaction course through her.
His hand went up to the red mark on his cheek, and he stared at her wide-eyed and open-mouthed. Even Aldrik was shocked into a gaping silence.
“Enough!” Vhalla fumbled over her words, her emotions running high. “Don’t youevermake him feel, or suggest that he should, feel guilty for me or on my behalf.” She glared at the golden prince. “And don’t pretend like you somehow know, know how ...” Vhalla felt her insides twist, the currents in her mind cloud. “How I, or, how he ... How we ...” She heard her voice crack, she didn’t want to confront this here.
Prince Baldair’s face fell.
Aldrik spared a glare for his brother before turning his back on him to face Vhalla. He placed one hand on her shoulder, the other gingerly atop her wounded cheek. Aldrik tilted her face to his, and she met his eyes shakily.
“Vhalla,” he whispered, stroking her cheek with his thumb. “It’s all right, that’s enough.” She relaxed under the familiar warmth of his gaze, and Aldrik gave her a small smile that was weakly returned.
