Behind him, the canvas entrance flutters as he is left alone with his little Queen.
“Why did you not tell me you are pregnant?” His thumb strokes her cheek.
Her bottom lip quivers. “After Thrain forced me into the engagement, I felt ill enough to seek a Healer. When she explained I was with child, I feared if Thrain learned the truth, he would force me to lose the one part of you I could carry with me.”
“You still could have toldme.”
She blinks back tears that escape the corners of her eyes. “Because I wanted you, of all people, to loveme. Not because I gave you an heir. Everyone else has wanted that from me. I needed you to be different.”
“Avina Redwood, you are more important to me than reducing your existence to birthing a fucking child. My line could die with me, and I could give a shit. Besides, Thora is the only heir I need.” He chuckles, and a light smile brushes across her lips.
“I love you, my little one. I have only ever wanted you for you. Your mind, body, and soul belong to me. You alone are everything I desire. And if you give me a child, know it is not something I demand of you. Because your life is more important than your womb.”
He cradles her body, shifting her on the cot so he can sit and hold her in his arms. He hums a Salt lullaby until her eyes flutter to a close.
“Sleep with the stone, my love.”
He gently lays her back onto the cot with a kiss on her forehead. Sigvid is still dumbfounded she would knowingly enter battle in her state. No matter what happens, he will ensure she knows that she is wanted and desired above all others in his eyes.
“What is the plan?” Slode asks when Sigvid finally emerges from the Healer's tent.
If Thrain has theseidrto summon drauger on a whim, what will keep him from pulling more up from the Abyss?
“Get my fucking armor ready.” He barks at a young boy. “And deliver a message to Thrain. Tell my brother we meet for single combat. At firstlight.”
“What? No, Beast, you cannot. If the gods favor his movements, you will lose all of us!” Grim protests.
“If anyone can cut down that asshole, it will be Sig.” Slode shakes his head, crossing his arms.
Thrain is permitted to battle his Drengr over the kingship of Treland, sell Sigvid to the Arena to get him out of the way, and even torture him.
He can handle those things.
What he will not suffer is an attack on Avina.
“I came here to send a message.”Thrain’s words sit in his gut like a stone.
Everything is clear to him now.
Thrain’s frantic need to locate Avina after they captured Sigvid was to purge her of his child. Those arrows along the cliff had one purpose: to kill Avina and the true heir of Redwood.
The messenger boy finally returns to find Sigvid intensely focused on a dying fire while Tyo munches absently on a bit of dried meat, and Slode holds a slumbering Bertie in his muscled arms. The boy is out of breath and takes a moment to recover before relaying Thrain’s response.
“King Thrain accepts the challenge and wishes to greet Prince Sigvid on the battlefield.”
57
SIGVID
February 2nd, Year 1, 10th Era
The Holy Triangle, Treland
Sigvid did not rest last night.
Instead, he sat at the end of Avina’s cot. Her light snores, pink parted lips, and peacefulness caught him in her spell. Once the faint dawn colors brush the morning sky, he kisses her on the lips and departs.
He halts at the entrance to the tent, his gaze on her abdomen. A twisted knot tightens in his throat.
