A squeal from behind her had Hekla whirling toward the open doorway. And then, she was running; was wrapping the curly-haired figure in a single-armed embrace. Hekla wasn’t usually fond of hugs, but in the aftermath of everything, this one felt better than ever.
“You’re really here—” The muffled voice made Hekla realize her sooty lébrynja jacket was pressed against Silla’s fine gown.
Reluctantly, Hekla released her friend, but held her at arm’s length. “Look at you!”
Gone was the wild hair and homespun apron dress. Silla’s glossy curls were interspersed with small, silver-cuffed braids, and her gown looked made of silk or some fine material like it. Silla’s cheeks flushed pink, her emerald skirts rippling like water as she shifted. “I feel like a child playing dress-up,” Silla whispered loudly.
“No, you look lovely. Gods, I am so glad you’re safe, Sil—er—Eis—”
“I’m still Silla, in private at the very least.” The fierceness in herfriend’s voice made Hekla breathe a little easier. She might look a little different, but some things, it seemed, remained the same. And Silla’s warm reception told Hekla that beneath it all was the optimistic and caring woman she’d met on the Road of Bones.
Hekla grinned. “Silla, then.”
“Hekla, I’m so sorry—”
But Hekla only held up a hand. “Do not apologize, dúlla.”
She and Silla hadn’t parted on good terms. Ilías had been freshly buried and the truth of Silla’s situation brought to light. Back then, Silla’s withholding of details had felt like a betrayal. But time had given Hekla new perspective. She knew what it was like to be a woman in a man’s world. Safety was never a thing to be taken for granted, and trust was a hard-earned thing. And it hadn’t escaped Hekla’s notice that the moment Jonas had learned Silla was Eisa Volsik, he’d handed her in for a reward. It made complete sense why Silla would keep the name hidden, even from her friends.
“You were only trying to survive.” Hekla’s tone made it clear she would accept no argument.
Relief washed over Silla’s face, and a thousand questions sprang to Hekla’s mind—had Jonas truly drugged her and given her over to the Klaernar? How had Silla escaped from her cell? And did both she and Rey truly have Galdra powers? But it felt like too much for this moment—a thing to ease into.
“I hope you can learn to trust me with your secrets,” Hekla said instead. “Istré…put a lot of things into new light for me.” Such as the fact that Galdra, including Silla, Rey, and Eyvind bloody Hakonsson, existed in far greater numbers than she’d ever thought.
Silla nodded, then drew her to the benches near the fireplace and grinned like a cat. “I cannot believe you’re sitting across from me. Tell me everything, Hekla. What happened in Istré? Why did Loftur—what an absolute arse—take a swing at you? And Hekla…who isEyvind?”
Hekla did not like the way Silla had spoken the name “Eyvind,” nor the mischievous glint in her dark eyes. Inwardly, she cursedHakonsson for playing the protector when Loftur had come at her. Had Hekla not proven to him already that she was no damsel?
“Where do I start?” Hekla ran a hand down her face. “The part where Istré’s chieftain, Loftur, blocked my every attempt to investigate the mist? The part where he kept his kin—kin Turned draugur by the mist, might I add—chained up in a barn? The part where I took Axe Eyes’ replacement to bed—”
“What?” Silla leaned forward eagerly. “That part!”
The serving woman returned to the chambers, setting a tray of refreshments down before them.
“Our thanks, Eilif,” Silla said to the woman. “How fares your sister?”
“Oh, far better, Your Highness,” replied Eilif, bowing low. “She’s sewing a token of her appreciation for you.”
Silla waved a hand. “It is not needed. To know her condition is improving is enough for me.”
Eilif ducked her head once more, then departed the room. Hekla quirked a brow. “What was that?”
A flush stained Silla’s cheeks. “I had some medicinal herbs prepared by Ashfall’s healer for Eilif’s sister.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Do you know, I’ve been told it’s unseemly for me to know the names of those serving me?”
Warmth suffused Hekla as she stared at her old friend. “Gods, but I missed you, Silla.”
Silla’s smile was warm and wide, and for a moment, the two simply grinned like fools.
But the scent of róa called to her, and Hekla poured a steaming cup for them each. When she handed one to Silla, there was a mischievous look in her friend’s eye. “I believe you owe me a salacious story, Rib Smasher.”
Leaning back on the bench, Hekla sighed. “I took Eyvind bloody Hakonsson into my bed, but I swear to you, Silla, had I known who he was, I’d have stayed far away. The man wasn’t due to arrive for three more days!”
Silla quirked a brow. “And?”
An exasperated breath escaped Hekla. “And then I had to pretend I did not know him, lest his warriors think I was trying to earn some sort of favor. Taking the crew leader to bed is a quick way to lose the respect of your fellow warriors.”
Silla looked ready to protest, but Hekla continued.
