“They are, actually,” Quillon confirmed.
“Well, you reside in this camp, which means you fall under my rule!”
“Latham, we’ve been through this. Besides, even if your guards wanted to seize me—which they don’t—they know they’d be severely injured in the attempt.”
“Oh, come off it, Solveig, you can’t take on four trained Vanir guards by yourself.”
Solveig said nothing, just smirked.
“Who said she’s by herself?” the prince asked quietly.
Latham’s head whipped towards him. He looked between the prince and Solveig, reassessing their position. Solveig was no longer holding the prince’s arm, but he stood close behind her, too close for a casual distance. His eyes narrowed.
“Stay out of this, Fae,” he spat.
“You also can’t order me around. You know, Fae prince and all that.” The prince gestured to the invisible crown on his head.
“So now that you’re bedding her you no longer think she’s a traitor?” Latham sneered.
“Watch it, witch,” the prince growled.
“You’re on thin ice, Latham,” Solveig warned him.
“Okay, witchlings, settle down. You can piss over your property later,” Maddock said. Solveig scowled at him as he stepped between the two males. “Regardless of our opinion of the previous general, she’s an incredible fighter. We should bring her.”
“She’s mentally unstable!” Latham argued.
“Latham, we’re wasting time arguing. I’m not going to letmysoldiers march into that mortal camp unprepared without me. You can have others try to stop me or you can try yourself, but I swear to the gods that anyone who lays a hand on me will not walk away alive.”
Solveig’s magic pulsed, backing up her threat as a current escaped her. The air grew thick, the pressure of her power building. Everyone sucked in a breath, confused at the sudden change in atmosphere.
This time it was the prince who reached out to steady Solveig. She could almost hear his words.Save your fury for the battle, General.
She rolled her eyes, breaking the tension.
“If you cause me any problems, Solveig, so help me ...”
“You’ll what, Latham?” she challenged.
“Just try not to let yourself get captured this time,” he said sarcastically.
“Don’t worry. I have no plans to save your sorry ass, so I should be safe,” she replied with a smirk. Latham’s veins popped from his neck, a satisfying reaction. Footsteps followed when she left, and Quillon jogged up beside her.
“What’s your plan?” he asked.
“Make sure Latham doesn’t get all of our people slaughtered.”
“Great plan,” the prince replied from her other side. She missed Gerrie already.
“If you lads will excuse me, I need to see a man about a horse.” She waved without making eye contact with either of them, a clear dismissal.
Solveig needed time to put some of her plans in motion, and this trip to the mortal camp threw a wrench in her timing.
Her revenge would have to wait a little longer.
PreparingHellewasherfirst priority. Before she began though, she took a moment to lean against the strong wall of muscle and breathed deeply. She could do this. She could return to the mortal camp.
Grooming Helle was methodical and comforting, lulling her into a deep calm until her hands were steady and her head cleared.
