How romantic,her sarcasm slips into her reminiscing.
The Manchineel clan loathes the Sigvidsson-Redwoods for the deaths of both Rendel and his cousin Samson, who caused a great deal of harm to her Mum and Uncle Grim. Even now, the Drengr thwarted at least a dozen assassination attempts on her parents since Aura’s birth.
“Uncle Sig,” Thora holds up her shaky hands as he descends upon her. “I sent men to appraise her family. She lives with her mother inPinewater. Nothing was amiss. I had no reason to suspect anything was wrong.”
“What about asking your father for her identity?” Even her Mum’s voice has risen to a rare shriek. “Or Uncle Grim, Uncle Slode, or me? When was the last time someone from Timber even trained to be a Drengr?” She sounds delirious, and the shame crashing over Aura is enough to drown her.
How did I not suspect Isabel? There were plenty of suspicious moments. Instead of considering my family's well-being, I only thought of myself and how to avoid judgment or my father’s ire regarding who I was cavorting with.
“Isabel seeks revenge for Rendel. She mentioned having bigger plans than dealing with me.” Aura mutters.
Avina buries her head in her hands.
“I hate to disappoint the heir of fucking Rendel, but she will not be exacting revenge onthisfamily. I will ensure she pays for this.” With a sigh, Sigvid strokes his braid while muttering, “I knew we should have burned that fucking province to the ground.”
They all fall silent as the weight of their situation descends upon them like a storm cloud.
“I need to speak with Aura alone.” Her father’s gruff voice booms throughout the high ceilings of the central room.
Before Thora steps away, she approaches him. “Am I still Lady Commander?”
“We will discuss that later.”
Thora steps back. Her typically emotionless features fill scrunch in apprehension. Bjorn wraps an arm around her shoulders and tugs her toward the kitchens, no doubt to secretly pick the lock of Sigvid’s cabinet of quality mead. More importantly, they will want to eavesdrop on this upcoming discussion.
Sigvid settles onto the couch after kissing Aura’s mother with enough passion to curdle her stomach. While she respects their love and how it blossomed from hatred, she still doesn’t need to see it on display—not when that kind of connection will never happen for her, considering that every man is afraid of Sigvid’s wrath.
She expects that he will want to discuss the Trial and her transgressions related to Isabel. “I didn’t know the truth about her identity. I’m so sorry for putting us at risk.”
He raises a hand. “That is not entirely what I wish to discuss.”
Her heart sinks.
“Kid, I am so fucking sorry. I was not fast enough to stop your Trial before it started. I always read the battle requests ahead of time. Your sister,” he sighs, “fuck, she deserves more from me than I have given her. But I need you to know… there is honor in walking away.”
“Pops?” This is unlike any advice he has ever given. And that man has barely stopped talking since she was born.
His eyes soften. “Your life is more important than anything else on this godsforsaken continent. I love you, and if you had died, I would have razed a few cities to the ground.” He takes her face in his hands. “There is honor in walking away.”
Her bottom lip quivers as she nods, and he kisses her forehead before leaning back in his chair. “Now, I want to discuss your…liaisons. Aura, they are not good.”
Ouch.
“The bedfellows you keep end in utter disaster-”
“No!” She leaps to her feet, jabbing her finger in his face. “I resent your accusations! After as many women as Bjorn brings to his bed, how dare you pass judgment on me?” She curls her lip in disgust.
What a low insinuation, even for him.
“And what about the drunken tavern wenches you had before Mum? How dare you hide behind her good graces, hoping it will quell the rumors of your own ‘liaisons.’ You don’t deserve her decency or virtue.”
“Whoa!” Sigvid leans back, having the dignity to appear taken aback. “Aura, first of all, Bjorn does not have attachments. He finds willing women. They fuck and leave. Like your brother, I left no loose ends in my youth.No mistakes.” He growls out, and she knows he is insinuating her recent fuck up. “None of my past matters because your mother became the center of my godsdamn world.”
She crosses her arms and shakes her head. “Is that what you wishof me, Pops? To wait around for a Prince to kidnap me and drag me to his realm against my will?”
Sigvid cracks his neck. “I want you to find someone who loves you fiercely enough that they would be willing to do anything to protect you.”
“I like how you spin that.” Her hands ball into fists. “Is that how Mum justifies it?”
