His sight returns to normal, and the driving wrath subdues to a distant hum. Fuck them for intervening.
“My oldest friend and my brother at arms, I will use fucking Azure on you if you cannot control yourself.” Slode’s fist connects with his face. Sigvid collapses onto his back. The force of his punch rattles him enough that he takes a moment to breathe.
Suddenly, Grim and Slode kneel over top of him.
“Healer Svanlaug will summon you when she is stable.” Grim is impassive.
They know something.
Avina requires tender care more than he needs to lay eyes on her. “Is there something else going on?” Instead of threatening, his tone wavers over the fear that she will not survive the night.
Slode and Grim exchange a worried glance.
“How is she?” Sigvid demands before the Healer fully steps out of her tent.
Dammit, I waited per their fucking instructions to know Avina’s fate. And fucking Svanlaug may have chosen my cause over Thrain’s, but that does not leave her immune to consequences should she fail her one job.
Hewillnot lose Avina.
Hecannot lose Avina.
The old Healer glances from the Salt Prince to Slode and Grim at hisback.
“You will be pleased to know they will both survive.” She croaks.
“Both? What the fuck do you mean both?” He could care less who else they are mending in that tent. Only Avina’s life mattered to him.
She shakes her head with pity reflected in her eyes, and then her wrinkled brow deepens with confusion. “My Prince, Her Majesty is with child.”
The world spins under Sigvid’s feet, and he stumbles back into Slode, who catches him before he can go down. “Avina is pregnant…?”
How didInot know? Didshenot know? Or did she? That argument before the battle with Svanlaug must have been about her condition.
As if sensing his spiral, the Healer pats his shoulder. “I have been treating Her Majesty for several weeks. I did warn her about joining the battle today.”
He storms into the tent where Avina lies asleep, her armor discarded in a pile in the corner. Bloody wrappings cover much of her exposed skin.
Sigvid’s knees connect upon the earth with a thud.
His piercing gaze blinks back the burning fear and overwhelming desire for this woman. He once imagined how blue he could color her face with his hands. Fate and the fairest, most beautiful eyes kept his hand from slaying his enemy.
Now, if anyone so much as glances with malice toward her, he will gut them where they stand. The only soul in this godsforsaken realm of existence that he will die for because only she is his equal.
“Healer Svanlaug,” Grim’s voice carries over the scene. “Does Thrain know? Does he know Avina carries Sigvid's child?”
Silence stems for far too long. Sigvid reaches out to take Avina’s face between his hands.
Why did you hide this from me?
Her eyes flutter open, lazily searching for him. “Sigvid…” She breathes.
“Little one.” His words catch in his throat.
“Thrain does know. I-I am so sorry, my Prince.” Svanlaug hiccups back a cry. “He threatened my grandchildren’s lives.”
Sigvid holds no ill will toward her betrayal. Not when Thrain has done so much damage already.
“Out!” Slode demands. “Give them a moment for the love of the gods.”
