Perhaps they were lost, but if Saga could stop this from happening to others, she would do what she must. During her long, restless night, Saga had vowed she would gather her courage and go to King Ivar. The king who had outlawed the Galdra’s very existence would be furious to discover his wife toying with galdur right under his nose. In these strange circumstances, Ivar was an ally to Saga. And so, the moment Saga was certain Rurik had abandoned his post watching over her room, she made her way to King Ivar’s study.
Just tell him of the scrolls and manuscript in Alfson’s study,she recited, pressing a hand to her queasy stomach.The passageway to that horridroom.
With a deep breath, she rapped on the door. After a long moment, it opened, a thrall peering down at her. “Have you an appointment?”
“No.”
The man frowned. “You can be seen tomorrow?—”
“It’s urgent. I must see the king.”
The thrall smiled stiffly. “I’m afraid the king has been called away from Sunnavík.”
“Step aside, Kul,” came a familiar deep voice—a voice which sent a shiver through her.And then his large frame filled the doorway. “Lady Saga.”
Saga swallowed, trying to calm her galloping heart. He was the last man she wished to see. The one she’d successfully avoided for years.
“Magnus,” she managed.
Clad in a tunic of fine black wool, the king’s Chief Hirdman was both tall and imposing. Saga met those cold, brown eyes with forced neutrality. Inside, she stumbled, trembled, curled into a ball and rocked back and forth.
Were it Ivar, Saga would let down her mental barriers. Allow her Sense to pull his thoughts to her. But the last place in the kingdom she wished to be was inside this man’s mind.
“I must speak to King Ivar,” she said. “Do you know when he’ll return?”
Beneath his heavy beard, she saw his lips curl. “I’m afraid he’s gone for several days, Pet.”
Her hands curled into fists as a vicious wave of nausea rose within her. But she thought of the screaming woman, thought of how many others might have been manacled to a bed before her. She had to speak for them. Had to put an end to Signe’s plotting. And Magnus was the king’s right hand. If anyone shared Ivar’s hatred for galdur, surely it was he.
Saga drew in a deep breath. Forced herself to look Magnus in the eye. “Perhaps you could help me, Magnus.”
He stared at her long and hard, then widened the door, allowing her space to pass.
You can do this, she told herself, breaths quickening as she entered the room. Saga’s gaze darted around, noting each exit. Glass paned windows that could be opened; the thrall’s hidden exit next to the fireplace; the door through which she’d just entered. Her pulse eased just a touch as she drew another long breath into her lungs.
Magnus gestured to a chair set before a heavy ashwood desk.“Sit.” He shot a pointed look at his thrall. “Róa, Kul.”
The door fell closed behind the thrall, and Saga was alone with the Heart Eater.Ally, she told herself.In this, he is an ally.
“I’m surprised to find you seeking the king’s counsel,” said Magnus. “Why did you not request an audience with the queen?”
“It is…complicated,” Saga said, trying to rub the goosebumps from her arms.
“You’re agitated, Pet. Something is bothering you.”
“Alf—” Saga’s voice broke off and she tried to gather her courage.
“Alfson,” Magnus urged. “What has the man done now?”
Surprise jolting through her, Saga studied his face. Magnus seemed irritated, though not with her. “Between you and me, Pet, Maester Alfson is on thin ice. He’s been shirking his duties. Has grown unreliable.” He leaned forward on the desk, his voice lowering. “The king and I have been looking for a reason to strip him of his maester’s robes.”
Saga chewed on her lip, her mind a tangle of confusion. Magnus was the king’s right hand, she reminded herself. Currently, he was the only man in the castle with the power to stop Signe. Gods, but only if her heart would calm down.
“If you know something,” said Magnus slowly, “that could help our…cause, I’m certain the king would be quite appreciative.”
“Maester Alfson schemes at something devious.”
Magnus’s face twitched. “Devious.”
