Isabel’s expression hardly shifts.
She already knew?
“Just because I bed her when I find myself at Nightwall Keep doesn’t mean we share our political maneuvering.”
Again, he backhands Rolf. “I understand Lavinia has informed you of her grand plan. Tell me, were my efforts in Chillbury all for not?”
Sweat trickles down the young Jarl’s temple despite the ice coatinghis arm like a second skin. He and Isabel share a silent connection, and she shakes her head vigorously.
“Chillbury?” He laughs nervously. “What do I know of your immorality, Iss Drengr?”
A sudden cold draft shudders against all aboard. Aura fears she will freeze in her thin crimson gown from the Farewell Feast.
“Do not lie to me.” Calder circles him like a predator tracking its prey. “Why did she lie about the prophecy? Does the Seer’s family, which originated from Pike Hold, hold any significance?”
“I-I don’t…”
Calder punches him square in the nose. Blood gushes from the center of his face, rushing down to his shirt. He barely touches Rolf’s stomach, and theseidrice crawls from his waist to his navel.
Even Edmund turns away as Rolf's scream pierces the night.
“What did I fucking say about lying?” Calder’s growl rumbles through the ice, encasing the longship in a haunting echo. “I know you were the one to threaten her family. Tell me, Rolf, why did Lavinia mislead the country about the prophecy?”
Rolf’s thoughts betray him as he looks straight at Isabel.
Calder nods to Thora, who lets go of Rolf’s gradually freezing form and sends him to Edmund, allowing her to take the bound Isabel from Aura and pull her forward.
“I have no reason to speak with the girl.” Calder waves a dismissive hand. “Reclaim your oath, Lady Commander.”
“With pleasure!” Thora unsheathes a knife that is secured along her upper arm and traces its edge along her throat.
“Wait!” Rolf cries out. “She is with child! Please, I will tell you anything. Just spare my son.”
Bile rises in Aura’s throat.
That means she was bedding Rolf while she lay her head beside me.
“You have my word.” Even in the dark, she can see Calder’s jaw clenching. “I will not kill Isabel Kilton while she bears your child.” He withdraws a worn hunting knife and slices the top of his arm, bleeding onto one of Rolf’s open wounds in a shared blood oath. “In exchange, you will honestly answer my questions.”
“No, Rolf! No! My life isn’t worth this!” Isabel shrieks.
“He promised we would bear a son. The one promised to sit on the throne of Treland.”
Aura’s nausea intensifies.
What Seer is dispensing prophecies to Manchineels?
“Were my efforts in Chillbury in vain?” Calder’s firm, commanding tone draws the attention back to him and Rolf.
Isabel screams as Rolf twists his head to peer up at Calder. “Yes.”
Ice crystals form in the air and rain down upon the deck. The Iss Drengr’s hands clench, and he grinds his teeth. He punches Rolf in the chest with a snap, followed by more cries from the Pike Hold Jarl.
“Why did Lavinia mislead the country about the prophecy?”
“We shall thrive under the control of Makt.” He rasps.
When will anyone tell her of this prophecy?
