“Sigvid,” she focuses on her hands and swallows hard, “please know that Samson forced me into the engagement. I would have died before I married him.”
“After everything we have gone through,” he hesitates, unsure if this admission is appropriate, “I believe, by now, I know you pretty well, Avina. He sounds like a shit man who does not deserve his title or anything for that matter, especially you.”
Her eyes water at his words.
“He will never stop hunting me. The backward Timber laws protect my crown even if I am not heir to the throne. I must die or wed him for him to become king.” Tears roam freely down her cheeks.
“I-I do not fully understand what came over me with Ives. I am not sorry, but I know it was wrong.” She buries her head in her hands while she sobs.
Sigvid rubs her back. “I will take care of Samson. Do not worry, my little Queen. It was not wrong. You protected yourself and the stone from a threat. Besides, the whole country needed to be free of that man.” He wraps her in a hug while she cries on his shoulder.
He has no doubt the Keeper'sseidrplayed, at the very least, a part in her actions tonight. The stone ensured the likes of Ives would not take it, and she received the courage she needed.
As her tears slow and her eyelids droop with sleep, he feels overcome by a burning desire to shield her from the evils of this world.
Sigvid plunges deeper into the pine forest. Bare footprints in the snow are the only indicator he has to know she may still be alive.
Damn her pride! She could not have gotten this far without shoes.
Waves of panic slam into his chest the more distance he puts between himself and the Drengr encampment. Her life hangs in the balance of him discovering her in time before something else does.
Dammit, Avina, how have you ventured so far awayfrom me? When I find you, I will kill you myself for making me fucking worry over you.
Up ahead, the trees thin, and an expanse of a frozen lake opens before him with a figure standing a few steps out. From the tree line, Avina’s distinct curls cascade down her back. Twigs and dead leaves cling to her hair like she is a woodland enchantress.
His warning roar rumbles through the trees. Avina’s legs quiver as his fury reaches her.
Brace for my wrath, little one.
“Avina! Do not take another step.” He growls at her defiance.
An unexpected thud reverberates in his chest, and his heart threatens to implode.
When Avina’s head whips around, meeting his hardened gaze, a coil tightens over his heart, making him want to wrap his arms around those curves and never let go.
And then she places her foot further upon the ice, and his heart drops to the Abyss.
Cracks like spider webs crisscross the lake's surface with a sinister crack.
“Get off the ice!” Sigvid calls out to her, but it is too late.
Her final step summons a jagged chasm in the ice that opens up and swallows her whole.
Sigvid’s clothes fly off as he dives headfirst into the water, wearing only his undergarments. Cold embraces him like an old friend.
He finds her body and brings her limp form to the surface. Her head lolls against his arm as he cradles her unconscious body, running with all his might to the forest edge. His body convulses from the icy water, mingling with the winter air.
Nothing matters.
Not while the rise and fall of her chest slows, and those beautiful blues remain shut to him.
Dammit, Avina! I will not lose you!
He pushes on her chest until she chokes up water but does not wake.
“Avina! Wake up!”
Sigvid frantically mutters prayers to Noxumbra–Goddess of Fate, tospare her entry to the afterlife. His blood trickles over her lifeless form as a sacrifice.
