Shuffling sounds fill the air as Crystal and her mother leave.
However, Calder doesn’t shift on the bed.
Sigvid’s jaw momentarily tightens before he perches on the other side of her.
“Aura,” he starts, taking her hands in his, which are somehow rougher than Calder’s. “Nothing I can say will compensate for what I said to you in the carriage. I have regretted my words since they left my mouth in anger. And that does not excuse it.” He releases her hands to reach into his pocket and removes a Drengr medallion.
Oh, Pops.
“I made this for you before you took your Trials. I know if that fucking bitch did not blindside you, I would have placed this around your neck that day.” In a rare instance, Sigvid hesitates as if truly considering uttering his next thought. “I know you can never pledge the oath to me,” he shoots Calder a narrow-eyed glare, “but I still want to give you this.”
She accepts the metal disc from his hand and grazes her fingers over the top of the rune. To think she dreamed of this moment since she was old enough to understand the importance of the Drengr Trials.
Yet, holding the medallion that should have been hers feels hollow. A moment that should have felt all-consuming, considering how long she had built it up in her mind. But Isabel saw fit to steal the magnitude of that broken path in her life.
There will never be a retake.
Aura would never become a Drengr of Sigvid.
However, a part of her now realizes that fate has always destinedher to become a Drengr of Calder. Their journey represents only a tiny fraction of what the Norn have destined for her future.
“While I want to be the Queen Treland deserves,” she tucks a strand of curls behind her ear, “I cannot help but feel I have failed you as a daughter. As a Sigvidsson. I understand you need to make these amends with me, but,” she steels herself, knowing neither of them will accept anything less than the truth, “I stopped feeling like your kid winters ago.”
He looks like she slapped him across the face. “Aura,” he shakes his head, realization dawning across his scarred features. “I should never have allowed my issues as King to come between being your father.” He takes her shoulders and kisses her forehead. “I am so sorry, Aurie. You should never have had to hold the brunt of my failures on your back by thinking you were anything less than worthy of me. I have not been fair to you.”
“I can forgive the things you said in anger.” Her time away has helped her see that life is too short to hold such grudges. “I felt as if I would not be enough for you.”
He wraps his arms around her in a tight embrace. She savors a rare moment with him that doesn’t involve death, sharp objects, or Sacred Stones.
“You are my world, Kid. You should have known my love for you is unconditional. And for that, I have failed you. I never should have pushed you so hard to become a Drengr.” He reaches into his breast pocket, removing Avina’s golden curl and a folded bit of worn parchment. “I still keep the first drawing you ever gave me.”
He unravels the paper, revealing a sketch of his blackwood axes crossed along a creekbed in the Blackwood Forest.
She smiles, tracing the detail of the runes along the handle. “I thought you always wanted me to be a warrior, like you.”
“A part of me has always wanted all three of my children to follow in my footsteps,” Sigvid’s eyes glass over, and he glances away. “But I cannot deny the joy in you when your quill brings the nature of Salt to life.”
“My quill has always brought me a tranquility I can hardlydescribe. But that’s only part of who I am. I’ve only ever wanted you to accept that the little girl who sat beside you in Blackwood Forest is the same one who can hold her own in the ring.”
Tears brim in her father’s bright blue eyes. For the first time, in a long time, she can feel the pride emanating from the gruff warrior.
“There is, uh, one more item we should discuss now since Calder is here.” Sigvid grumps, turning to him. “Briny and I conversed the other day. The, uh, Norn have spoken regarding the next Guardian.”
Aura looks between the two men, and her heart warms.
“They have tasked you, Avardsson, as the next Guardian of Treland.”
Calder’s expression scrunches in adorable confusion. “Are you sure they spoke my name?”
Sigvid grunts, running his hand through his copper braid. “Briny could not have been more certain. You and I will discuss that process soon.” His words are vaguely threatening, forcing Aura to conceal her smirk.
Instead of frustration or bitterness, she feels only excitement for Calder. Since Crystal's uncollaring of her witch abilities, she is ready to embark on a different path than she had envisioned.
Her father offers Aura one final embrace before leaving her and Calder alone once more.
“Before anyone else interrupts.” She holds up a hand. “I must know what happened when Makt assumed my body.”
Calder’s throat bobs, looking away.
