Or maybe some piece of him wished he was late as he saw the figure waiting for him. This had to be done, even though he knew North would never forgive him.
“Ragnvald,” Vali said by way of greeting. The King of Hel’s name tasted like ash on his tongue.
“Prince Vali.” Ragnvald regarded him.
“King.”
“Pardon?”
“I am now King of Alfheim,” he corrected Ragnvald.
“Did I miss the coronation?”
“You did, and my wedding to your granddaughter.”
Ragnvald appeared amused but not surprised. “Is that so?”
“We wanted to keep the ceremony and coronation quiet, as you can imagine.” The horrors of the throne room haunted his dreams. His brother’s and mother’s last breaths looped in his ears. He shoved the memories from his mind so he could concentrate.
“And yet here I stand, at your invitation.”
Vali hated hearing the truth from his lips.
What he’d told North before their wedding was true—the world was changing, a new age was coming, and he wanted what was best for his people. With the tides turning, the power that Ragnvald was acquiring was currently unmatched. Vali knew that even with Asgard, Alfheim would not stand a chance.
Something had to be done.
“Yes, I invited you in good faith,” Vali said hesitantly.
“Am I not here alone and unarmed?” Ragnvald said, holding his hands out like Vali’s request was ridiculous.
“It would be foolish of me to trust you.”
“And you are not a foolish king.” Vali didn’t like Ragnvald’s tone—it was too placating, like he was an elfling playing dress up.
“That remains to be seen.” The knowledge of North upstairs in their bed made his stomach clench.
He was foolish, but he was also king. Nerves lit up his body and it took all his restraint not to show it.
“What is it you wish to discuss, King Vali?” Ragnvald asked, his tone still mocking.
Vali stood tall, stepping towards the King of Hel without fear. “Alfheim has largely stayed to itself these past centuries, and I wish to bargain to keep my realm out of your war.”
“You do not even offer an alliance?”
“You killed our former queen. My people will not align with you.”
Ragnvald closed the distance between them, raising the hairs on the back of Vali’s neck.
“Very well. I reject your offer of neutrality.”
“What is it you would have me do?” He hung his head as if in defeat, hoping to hide the hammering of his heart.
“I will take your crown, if you’re offering.” Ragnvald reached out and slid a finger along the edge of the crown, as if it was his lover. The glint in his eyes confirmed Vali’s suspicions—Ragnvald’s desire for power was more than just a craving. Heneededit.
It was Vali’s turn to laugh. “It’s not that simple. You would have to kill me, but then Alfheim would never bow to you.”
“I am not concerned—” Ragnvald was cut off by the surge of magic Vali sent into his unsuspecting mind.
