“Remind me to donate more coins to our local temple, then. Gothi training has clearly gone soft.”
Edmund leans further into the room as he inspects a small golden statue of the god Ingvar. “You know, Jarl, life can be enjoyable. Not sure if anyone has shared that bit of wisdom with you.” His sarcasm is such a refreshing change from the typical ass-kissers in his court.
“How long did that bullshit help you sleep in the strict Pradacian temple before you broke and fucked anything that stood still long enough?” Gunni appears behind him.
Edmund smirks.
“Come on, lad.” Gunni slaps his back, guiding him toward the kitchen, leaving Calder in peace.
He dozes off to the howling wind against the outer walls. Somewherein his dreams of the South Sea and mead, a nauseating scent of lilies awakens him. Without opening his eyes, he takes a deep breath, steadying his response.
“Your Highness, what an unpleasant surprise.”
“I am hurt.” Her feet clack across the floor. “That you did not immediately come to see me, Calder.”
He opens his eyes and slowly turns his head to find Queen Lavinia of Skalor. Her dark brown hair, striped with white, flows long over her shoulders. The high neck of her collar is practically a staple of her appearance. That and her icy blue eyes mirror his own with cold indifference.
“I figured you would find me soon enough.”You cold-hearted bitch.“What do you need now that cannot wait until the Assembly tomorrow?”
She settles into the high-backed armchair the color of a midnight sky, her dagger-like blood-red nails drumming along the plush upholstery. “We got off on the wrong foot-”
Sitting upright, he barks a laugh. “You mean twenty winters ago? When you chose to manipulate me for your amusement.”
“I have only ever tried to be a doting mother with you.” She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest like a petulant child.
He scoffs, knowing the winters have only made her more delusional. Avard, his father, risked everything to rescue Calder from her clutches when he was a little boy.
To keep Lavinia’s malicious plan from coming to fruition.
“I cannot change the past, but I can offer you everything you could have ever desired. Hmm, let us see your deepest fear, shall we?”
The whites of her eyes glow an unsettling shade of yellow while her lips mutter. Slowly, a smile twists across her crimson lips.
Bitter silence fills the room, with only the heavy pounding of his heart to remind him that she has not bewitched him. All he can do is hope his heart will not betray him.
Lavinia’s eyes refocus as her smile widens to bare her white teeth. “Finally. You finally trust me enough to shareyour deepest fear.”
Calder stands, struggling not to freeze her to the wall and shatter her into infinitesimal shards.
“Oh, Calder!” Her eyes twinkle like a child given a present. “This fear is not something you should run away from. Imagine if you would relinquish this self-loathing you hold over the past and embrace the unending power you possess.” She rushes to his side, no longer concealing her giddiness. “Allow me to guide you into it properly.”
“Desperation is not flattering on you, Lavinia,” he growls, tugging away. “You are not aWitchand cannot guide anyone with Sacred Stone powers. Besides,Witcheshaven’t existed for centuries.” His lip curls at the cream-colored matronly gown she chose to wear. “You had an opportunity to be my mother before you misrepresented my ex-wife as a loving woman and not one loyal to you,” he spits. “And I am far past discussing my son’s death.”
“We both know whose hand wielded that axe, my son.” She sweeps past to stand in the doorway. “The Assembly meets at midday tomorrow. Please allow me to help you tap into your birthright. You can lead the Jarls as the proper Prince of Skalor. Your brain and delicious sinew can be used as we intended.”
“I would rather freeze my body and then fall off the tallest tower than seek your assistance in any matter.” She bristles at his words, but he continues, “I suggest you redirect your manipulative tendrils to someone else at this Assembly.”
“One day, the choice will no longer be yours. You will accepthisoffer!” Her entire body quivers in indignation.
Calder flinches at her words.No, this cannot be true. I killed him.
“Do not forget what the people call me, Lavinia.” His tone drops low. “I will freeze the entire godsforsaken country if it means destroying another demon god.”
Sometime in the night, Calder awakens to the pitch black of his chamber. Outside, the winter wind whistles dangerously against the stone walls of the Keep. The warrior chief lies atop his blankets and furs, clad only in a pair of black trousers. Sweat clings to his chest and forehead as his heavy breathing slows steadily.
I thought I was past these nightmares.
He slips to the washbasin and splashes cold water onto his face, letting the excess drip onto his inked chest.
