Freya shot her a dark look.
A musician chose that moment to play a jaunty tune. As one, their heads turned toward the noise. Someone stomped on the floor, and then a lot of someones stomped, and several people stood to engage in a drunken dance.
“I am sorry you felt trapped,” Freya said under the cover of the noise. “I should have asked how you were feeling. I was only considering your safety, not your emotions.”
Astrid’s jaw dropped.
Freya leaned in to speak softer. Her hand hovered over Astrid’s knee and came back to her side. “What is the matter?”
“I feel strange tonight,” Astrid said evasively. “Restless.”
This close, she could see the drops of rain clinging to Freya’s lashes. She was overcome with the urge to lean in and kiss her again, wet hair and all.
“What do you need?” Freya asked.
Instead of responding, Astrid found Freya’s hand and placed it on her thigh.
Her skin hummed under the leather. Maybe it was the general impulsiveness of the night, or something in the air, or the mead, or the soldier’s clothes.
“Dance with me,” Astrid said.
Chapter Nineteen
Freya had observed others dancing many times, but she could not recall ever dancing herself.
The sailors swayed, haphazard and without rhythm. The variety of dances had no technique to them—they were dances not of skill but of joy.
And yet Freya’s nerves were on edge as Astrid stood and offered her hands.
There was a dreamlike quality to the place as Freya took hold of Astrid. The height difference was comical, but no one gave either of them a second glance. Freya was not the only human in the common area of this inn; several elves were present as well, and sailor danced with soldier danced with server danced with merchant. The drink had leveled them all.
In her disguise, Astrid was just another soldier.
The perception of Astrid as something other than queen unsettled Freya’s stomach. Her feet struggled to keep up with this new side of her queen. Astrid swung Freya around, and her face broke into a huge, beautiful smile like Freya had never seen. It was enough to stop Freya’s heart.
Astrid had never looked so free. Her hair was loose, tumbling out in curls that sometimes smacked into Freya’s face and tickled her. Freya picked up the pace of the dance, paid attention to the beat of the music. She danced, and she did not feel for her knives even once.
The song came to a crescendo. Somewhere, someone shrieked with delight, and Astrid laughed, throwing back her head and exposing her neck to Freya. Freya was dizzy with giddiness, but also with the knowledge that she was entirely out of her element.
Hollers filled the room. Sweat built on the back of Freya’s neck and under her breasts and between her palms and Astrid’s. Astrid spun her with flushed cheeks. Clapping, stomping, spinning. Freya was an observer, not a participant, and her mind struggled to keep up with the activity through the noise. She clung to Astrid like a lifeline.
At the end of the song, Astrid lifted Freya off the ground and spun her in a large circle. Freya stumbled back to her feet when Astrid set her down and looked back at the table, where Hedda was leaned over whispering something to Hrothgar.
Both were staring.
Astrid’s smile faded as she took in Freya’s face. Freya wasn’t sure exactly what expression she wore. All she knew was that she was extremely overwhelmed and had no control over this situation.
“Sorry for lifting you,” said Astrid. “I got carried away.”
The phantom touch of Astrid’s hands on Freya’s hips made Freya’s mouth dry. “No, I…”
How could Freya understand so little of what was happening? Here Astrid was, away from the castle and enjoying herself greatly. While Brenn had assured Freya that Astrid was safe, Freya had not considered Astrid would be happier here.She’d thought Astrid had run away on the verge of a mental breakdown.
She did not know Astrid to be the kind of person who could be cheered with drink and dance and music in a social setting.
“Can we talk?” Astrid asked.
The music started up again, less boisterous. A few people swayed drunkenly, but Astrid made no move to pull Freya back into the group. Dazed, Freya remembered she’d been asked a question and nodded.
