“Westley would never do that,” North said.
“He would if Solveig asked, and Solveig is smart enough to know that it needs to be done. Then once they usurp and kill Ragnvald, they can free magic and reinstate the rightful rulers,” Koa insisted.
“Solveig would give that power up?” Easta asked skeptically.
“Solveig has never wanted to rule,” Koa said, her tone disinviting any argument.
“If they haven’t and decide to wait”—Aelfsi sighed like she knew her daughter well enough to know it was a possibility—“then we’ll have to take matters into our own hands.”
“Well, that’s simple. If they haven’t mated for whatever stubborn reason, then we tell them they have to,” Easta said.
“It is not that easy, Princess,” Koa corrected gently. “We cannot force the future. Fate must guide them.”
“Spoken like a Seer,” North countered. “Entirely unhelpful.”
“You are not a youngling, do not act like one,” Aelfsi censured, drawing herself up to full height.
Koa laid a hand on her wife’s arm. Aelfsi softened under the touch. “It’s alright, she means no harm.”
“My apologies. Even after a century and a half of not feeling the effects of our bond, I still protect my mate.”
“No need for apologies, Your Majesty,” North said, “I completelyunderstand.”
“What do you mean, ‘take matters into our own hands’?” Easta asked, bringing the conversation back to the subject in question.
Koa and Aelfsi shared another loaded glance, and North’s shoulders tensed with anticipation.
“Please do not think that we make this decision lightly,” Koa warned.
The sisters stood taller, their guards up. North listened as the queens laid the plan out in front of her, logically, unemotionally. She wished she could feel the stirring of magic in her blood, to know if this was the right decision.
But she only had herself to trust and those she held most dear to look out for. She hoped that placing her trust in Asgard was the right call. Deep down, she understood why this plan was the only course of action. Still, there was a chance Westley would never forgive her.
She and Easta parted ways with the queens, and they walked silently back to their rooms. Their doors mirrored each other on opposite sides of their corridor.
Easta leaned against the wall, her head falling back and her eyes closing. North watched as the weight fell over her. Her sister was carefree and loud, crass. Most did not see her for the princess she was, but she carried her own burdens as the second heir, and this one settled on her heavily.
North knew better than to question her strength.
“Will you tell Anders?” North asked her quietly.
Easta glanced at her door as though she could see her husband, her mate, sleeping in their bed. She only nodded. North took a few strides across the distance between them and placed her hands on her sister’s arms.
“You are the strongest female I know, and this is the right decision,” she assured her.
“I know,” Easta said sadly. The sisters embraced before entering their rooms, each with the knowledge that tomorrow would launch a chain of events that would change the world as they knew it.
TheIdavollbreakfasttableheld little warmth—the only sign of comradery was between Viggo and Conalle, who sat at the far end, whispering and giggling together. Viggo placed his hand on Conalle’s knee, sending a flush through the lord’s cheeks.
Vali and Steffen spoke in hushed tones, casting nervous glances at the doorway. A bruise bloomed on Steffen’s face where Westley had punched him yesterday.
Gerrie and Noren sat on either side of the table, glaring daggers at each other while they sipped their tea, not breaking eye contact.
Solveig stood in the shadows of the doorway watching the scene play out before her. Her mothers were nowhere to be seen, but North and Easta sat at the head, quiet and thoughtful.
The table was spread with fruits and juices, the smell of the freshly baked pastries wafting into the narrow hallway. Solveig was famished.
Though they hadn’t had a long night of vigorous lovemaking, Solveig had spent plenty of time torturing Westley. It was quickly becoming her new favourite pastime. But eventually, their lust had cooled and they’d begun to heal.
