Solveig tipped her head back and laughed, clapping Conalle on the shoulder. He looked like he was about to burst a blood vessel.
“I get it, Connie, don’t hurt yourself.”
“I swear, I’ve aged a decade having to deal with your grumpy witch ass.”
Solveig smiled at him. “Well, old age suits you. Maybe you should find someone who butters your biscuit and leave mine alone.”
“Oh honey, my biscuit has all the butter it needs,” Conalle said with a laugh, his pointed ears tinting the slightest bit pink.
“This conversation is officially gross,” Noren muttered. Conalle waved him off.
“Have you ever had a Fae lover, Sol?” Conalle put a hand to his heart. “To diiiiie for.”
Solveig snorted. “I have, actually, and my biscuit was nowhere near buttered.”
“A travesty.”
“It really was,” Solveig said with a shrug. “You okay over there?” she added. The prince looked like he’d rather be anywhere else.
“I’m fine,” he said curtly. Conalle covered his laugh with a cough.
“Whoever this male was should not carry the entirety of the Fae’s sexual prowess on his cock—it clearly wasn’t strong enough to get the job done. You should give another one a go.”
“How do you say things like that with a straight face?” Solveig asked him incredulously.
Conalle shrugged. “In all honesty, Solveig, it might be good for the soul. It couldn’t hurt.” He bumped her arm with his.
Solveig sighed. “I have no desire to cater to the whims of peacocks. I could’ve found someone with more substance to bed if I had stayed chained up.”
The prince choked on his dinner, Noren smacking him on the back. Solveig smiled to herself and Conalle let the conversation drop.
WiththeamountofFae residing in their camp, Solveig and Latham each took charge of finding positions for them to contribute in any way they could.
Those who were skilled at archery were split into two groups: hunters and instructors. The Vanir were lacking in their archery skills—before the Block hit, they’d preferred to rely on their magic, and Solveig would not pass up the opportunity to benefit her people. If the Fae had to be here, she would use them.
She also intended to improve her own archery abilities but so far hadn’t had the time.
Some of the Fae were given menial jobs, and she was impressed when they got straight to work without complaint. Their Vanir cooks were teaching some of the Fae warlords how to fry eggs, and though she tried hard not to, she found it endearing that they took theirassignment so seriously.
She did not want to credit the prince for his leadership, but she had to admit that he knew what he was doing.
Thinking of the prince, she furrowed her brow. It had been difficult to find a place for him. She wanted him as far away from her as possible, but thanks to Conalle’s constant reminders of their plan, she had to keep him close.
Not only that, but they had to pretend as if they more than tolerated each other. Conalle kept reminding her that her face was visible so she needed to stop scowling.
Solveig made sure that whatever they were doing did not involve them interacting too much. Close proximity to any Fae was bad enough, but the prince’s constant presence made her magic nearly unbearable.
When it was Solveig’s turn to train her soldiers in combat, he taught archery. Her eyes had wandered to him more times than she cared to admit.
His skill was impressive to say the least. He appeared effortless, though she knew it was anything but. His arms were strong and steady, relaxed as he raised the bow and pulled the string back in a movement so fluid it was mesmerizing.
The muscles in his arms flexed, and when he let the arrow fly, it found its target every single time. Some of her strongest warriors attempted to use the prince’s bow—they’d hardly been able to draw it.
He was a good teacher too. Over the course of only a few days, she witnessed those he trained improving significantly. She tried to ignore the lessons, but they were constantly pulling her attention. To learn of course, nothing else.
Several times the prince caught her gaze. Sometimes she flinched away, but other times she held his stare and thought maybe he knew what she was thinking in those moments.
He couldn’t tease her though, because his eyes were on her just as much as he caught her staring at him. He tracked her movements and her conversations with others.
