We’re on our way to Idavoll, he supplied.
Her heart rate picked up at the prospect of seeing him again. Not even a month had passed since their parting. Which was both too long and not long enough.
We leave in a few days as well.
He paused, and almost like he regretted the words as soon as they left him, he asked,With your new betrothed?
Yes, Steffen will be joining us.
He couldn’t hide the effort it took to restrain his reaction. Solveig tried not to delight in his struggle.
Steffen?he asked as if it pained him to say the name.
He bested me.
How the Hel did he manage that?
His other emotions, which Solveig did not want to name, were replaced with pure rage. She didn’t know how to answer, not wanting to tell him about the snake until she knew who put it there.
I was wounded, she told him reluctantly, knowing he wouldn’t drop it. The sound of silence was deafening in her mind, and she rolled her eyes.You’re so dramatic.
Wounded how?he gritted out.
Nothing to worry about, I’m fine.
Show me, he growled. He was inadvertently refuelling her magic with his anger, giving her enough strength to shove him out.
No, I don’t think I will.She slammed her mental walls down on him before he could ask more questions.
She couldn’t do this anymore—couldn’t let him in. She built her walls thick and strong so he wouldn’t be able to get through.
Her marriage to Steffen served two purposes. To unite Alfheim and Asgard, and to create an heir. Once that was done, she and Steffen would live in peace, without the flooding of emotions that accompanied a love match.
I’m so fucking in love with you I can’t breathe when I’m not with you.
His words on the beach held firm in her mind, refusing to budge—they were a part of her now. He loved her. And that was the kindof love that started wars and destroyed realms. She could not afford to let that happen.
Solveig returned to the palace, a fresh wave of resolve washing over her. Steffen would be her husband, and after they reunited in Idavoll, she would never see Westley again.
She couldn’t.
Westleywasanxioustoget to Idavoll. Solveig’s end of the bond had been frustratingly quiet for the past few days.
After their last conversation, she’d shut him out so completely that he could barely feel her presence. He had tried to speak with her a few times, but her walls were impenetrable. She hadn’t even acknowledged his attempts.
He had so many questions that needed answers. Answers that would surely tear him apart, but the waiting was excruciating.
Had they married already? Or were they waiting? He couldn’t see a reason to wait and dreaded seeing her finger ringed with any band but his own. Those were dangerous thoughts to entertain.
But this was the choice she’d made. The choice he’d made. And he respected her enough to not question her.
An image of Steffen’s face flashed through his mind, and though he had always enjoyed the Elven prince, he had the urge to smash the second-born’s face in. This was the male who would marry his mate. Or was already married to her.
The rush of anger that ripped through him at the thought of them in bed together was enough to take him to his knees. His sisters were likelyright, as they usually were. It would be near impossible to see her with another.
He cursed Steffen’s name to the gods and once again wondered if she was okay. He had no idea how she’d been injured, or even what injury she had. The fact that he hadn’t felt it meant it hadn’t been fatal. Still, once he found out what happened, he would rip apart the one who hurt her—
No, that was not his place.
