“You said please. I didn’t even know you had manners.”
“Ha ha. It will probably kill you to know how polite I can be when we get toAsgard.”
“I can hardly picture it.”
A pause.
“Get out.”
A smile lit up his face. “Ah, that’s more like it.”
When he left this time, Solveig waited a few moments, just in case he came back. She wasn’t sure if she was hoping he would or wouldn’t. When he didn’t, she took a deep breath, praying to the useless gods and goddesses. Then she went for a very long run to clear her mind.
Solveig came back from her run to three figures standing outside her tent. Inside, she could hear the sound of her bath being filled. She hoped it would still be hot by the time her shieldmaidens finished delivering whatever news they had for her.
By the look on Veda’s face, it wouldn’t be. She groaned inwardly and made her way towards them, sweat trickling down her back.
“Veda, Idunn, Signe.” She nodded to the three females who stood stoically waiting for her.
“General Tordottir.” They nodded back, fists placed over their hearts. It was no use correcting them. These three females had been her shieldmaidens for two centuries, and they were as loyal to her as ever. For that, she was grateful.
“What news?”
Even though there was no one within earshot, the Fae’s heightened senses were a concern. Veda motioned for Solveig to enter the tent, and the three females followed.
Once they were inside, they traded pleasantries until the staff finished preparing Solveig’s bath. When they were alone, Veda jumped right in.
“The name Booth was more difficult to track down than we anticipated. We apologize for the delay.”
Solveig waved a hand in dismissal. “Not to worry. Were you able to find something?”
The three traded glances and Solveig braced herself, waiting for the bad news.
“Yes. Booth indeed hailed from Idavoll, but as you suspected, his Fae heritage was not Elven and Vanir. He was Elven and Giant. Jotunheim claims him.”
Solveig’s mind only caught one word. “Was?” she whispered.
Idunn nodded, eyes knowing. “Yes, General. He did not survive long after your escape. He’s dead.”
“How did he die?” Solveig asked.
“We’re not sure. From what we were able to gather, he was punished for allowing you to escape,” Veda answered.
“Punished how?”
“With the Blood Eagle.”
Her world spun. Though she was momentarily relieved, her magic seethed, slithering through her, searching for a way out. She wanted revenge. More revenge. Her magic purred at the viciousness of the punishment, her vision swirling with the memory of the one time she had witnessed the brutal form of torture.
The traitor’s spine and ribs had been carved from his body, lungs ripped out and splayed across his back. With the Fae’s healing abilities, the body tried desperately to repair itself, but it was only a matter of time before he succumbed to his painful death.
Booth did not deserve to die so quickly, even if it had taken hours or days. He deserved months, years of suffering.
She would’ve had him strung up by his entrails for the rest of his godsdamned life if she’d had it her way.
“There’s more,” Idunn informed her.
“I would hope so,” Solveig said, more sharply than she had intended.
