Relieved, Clara led the way back to the basement access. “At once, Your Majesty.”
I bit back a groan of agony, which turned to a harsh growl when Gunnarr blithely joined the conversation.
“Oh, I’m a whiz at techie stuff, my queen. I’m happy to take that off your plate if you’d like.”
“Done and thank you. I would like to learn how to use the cell phone later so I can try and call Karmen, but you’re welcome to learn the panel.”
“Are you expecting any more Blood at this time, Your Majesty?” Clara asked.
Pausing at the stair’s upper doors, Helayna closed her eyes. A tingling brush of her magic swept over me, tightening like a fist in my gut. Even though I’d answered her Call, I could still feel its remnants pulsing through me. Demanding my presence at her side without delay.
“I don’t sense anyone close.” She opened her eyes, though worry creased her forehead. “At least no one feels like they’re coming toward us. I’m not sure I’d be able to sense humans or other queens who might wish to cause harm. I need to get the blood circle done as soon as possible, though I should rest a little, I think. I want to be fresh and clear-minded.”
“There aren’t any other queens in Iceland at the moment,” Clara replied. “Queen Illa’s in Norway, of course. She’s the closest queen in the region and considers herself the head of the Scandinavian contingent.”
Helayna’s eyebrow arched and her lovely face smoothed to regal reserve. Chin tipped up slightly, eyes cooly narrowed, she radiated a quiet yet steely core. “Oh really? How convenient for her that I was mysteriously taken from her House.”
“If she thinks our queen will ever bow to her, she can fuck around and find out,” Gunnarr said.
The first smart thing he’d actually said this entire night.
“Ironheart and Fólkvangr relations have always been…” Clara paused, thinking. “Coolly cordial. Some queens traded sibling relationships back and forth over the generations. We weren’t enemies. I wasn’t exactly suspicious when Queen Helle decided to foster you with Fólkvangr, but surprised, yes. Since she’d formed a sibling arrangement with Skye, I honestly expected you to spend time in New York City, but she adamantly refused.”
“Well, I won’t rest soundly until the nest is secure,” Helayna said. “Especially this close to Fólkvangr. I don’t remember anything specific, yet, but I also don’t trust them.”
“I can’t argue in the slightest.” Clara came downstairs long enough to show the newest Blood how the intercom worked. Watching closely, Svar stood nearby, though I wasn’t sure how much he understood human technology.
I glanced at Dörr, trying to read the situation. I didn’t want to challenge his authority in any way, though I wasn’t sure he knew how a nest or House ran, either. The last thing I wanted to do was foul a working relationship with the alpha. Especially if—when—our queen indicated she wanted me ready for her.
“Rest well, Your Majesty.” Clara stepped back to the heavy door, preparing to leave. “If you need anything, Gunnarr can call us at once. When you’re ready to initiate the blood circle, let me know, and I’ll make sure to clear the area.”
Helayna’s eyes widened. “Oh. Really? Is that a concern?”
Clara’s mouth quirked and her cheeks reddened. “Well, not a concern, exactly. Just… Uh… Do you remember how a blood circle is initiated?”
“I vaguely remember standing with Mother and bleeding over the circle. Is there more than that?” An edge of panic sharpened her voice.
“It’s a much easier process to add your blood to an existing circle. Setting a circle for the first time requires—and releases—a great deal of power.”
“Okay…” Helayna’s gaze flickered over Gunnarr, still fiddling at the panel, her other dark alfar Blood, and then landed on me. “Have you seen a queen initiate a blood circle before?”
I swallowed hard. “I haven’t seen it done, my queen, but I’m familiar with the process. Only a queen’s own Blood would be present when she’s setting the circle, and I’ve never served as Blood before.”
“Okay,” she repeated, nodding to herself as she turned back to Clara. “I’ll discuss with Lokken so I’m prepared for it, and I’ll let you know when I’d like to begin.”
Clara headed up the stairs. “Very good, Your Majesty. Rest well.”
No one moved to shut the lower door, though I heard the heavy clang of the upstairs door shutting into place. I clenched my jaws, fighting back the urge to say something. It wasn’t my place to correct the other Blood or contradict any command our alpha gave.
Silence weighed heavier, until Dörr’s voice rumbled. “If you have something to say, ice man, then say it.”
4
DÖRR
My voice rolled like thunder through the room, making even my queen jump slightly, her head whipping around to check my face. Her arm tightened around mine and she leaned against me, silently offering comfort and support, which only made my jaws clench harder.
:You’re my alpha,:she assured in our bond.:No one will ever take your place.:
