“How can you be so sure? Leaving West alive and unharmed wasn’t part of your deal,” Noren accused.
“I trust him.Henever tried to kill me.” She tossed a pointed look at Noren, who huffed.
“When are you going to let that go?” he mumbled, taking a bite out of some cheese.
“When it’s been more than a couple days, right after I forgive you for capturing and torturing me,” she threw back.
“Okay, younglings, settle down,” said Conalle, collapsing back into his bed. “This is the softest bed I’ve ever had,” he said with a sigh.
“For what it’s worth”—Noren looked over at her—“it was never personal.”
“War is always personal,” she replied without looking.
Before he could respond, the door slammed open and Westley stomped in, fury on his face and magic swirling in his eyes.
“Let’s go,” he demanded.
The three stared at him expectantly, but he only had eyes for Solveig—anger-filled, glaring eyes. She smiled innocently, which only seemed to infuriate him further.
“You’re lucky killing you would destroy any chance of saving Idavoll, otherwise I’d wring your neck,” he said through his teeth.
“Had a rough night, did you, Prince?” Solveig asked sweetly, coming up to pat him on the cheek. He grabbed her wrist before she could touch him again, gripping it tightly. Her smile widened wickedly as he tossed her hand away.
“What the Hel happened?” Conalle asked, bewildered.
“Nothing. Let’s go,” he barked, and Solveig chuckled to herself. If he wanted to keep it to himself, she could at least enjoy guessing what Hoenir did to him.
They made their way out to the stables, stopping dead in their tracks. The building was in shambles, like it had been trampled by a stampede. Helle stood off to the side, munching on some grass she’d dug up from beneath the snow.
“What the Hel happened here?” Conalle asked again.
“This place is weird,” Noren muttered.
Solveig marched right up to Helle, who didn’t even bother to lift her head.
“What did you do?” Solveig put her hands on her hips as she waited for her horse to at least acknowledge her. Slowly, Helle raised her head and snorted.
“Where are the other horses?” Helle gestured towards the forest. “He’ll have my head for this you know?” Helle whinnied. “Was it at least worth it?” Helle bumped Solveig with her nose, and she sighed. “Alright, let’s get the others and get out of here before Hoenir sees what you’ve done.”
She mounted Helle swiftly and bade the others to follow. Their horses were settled in the forest, and they trotted over to their riders readily. Hoenir’s horses snorted and stamped their feet as they passed, looking like they might charge.
The owner of the ruined stables stumbled out of the cottage, bare feet sinking deep into the snow.
“You owe me double this time, Solveig!” he yelled manically after them as Helle took off through the forest, leading them towards Asgard. Solveig’s excitement escalated as she raced home, guilt tugging at her for keeping Helle away from her family for so long.
With a sense of satisfaction, Solveig ignored Westley staring daggers into her back as they rode east. She’d passed many pleasant nights with Hoenir, but given the male’s distaste for Idavoll royals, he likely hadn’t taken it easy on the Fae prince.
Her only regret was that she hadn’t been able to watch.
They only had a few more days until they would reach Asgard, and Solveig pushed them hard to get there quickly.
The silence was tense when they stopped next to let their horses rest. Neither Conalle or Noren dared to ask Westley what happened—his bitter mood filled Solveig with joy, soothing part of her soul still hurt by his second attempt at betrayal. He’d been planning to trick her into stepping foot in the palace of a king and queen who meant her harm.
She didn’t know what to make of the prince and his contradictory decisions.
The prophecy consumed her thoughts, not for the first time that day. Betrayal had surrounded her.
“You know, Prince, I don’t know what you’re so grumpy about,” Solveig said innocently. “After my nights with Hoenir I felt much more ... relaxed.” Her lips curled around her spoon as she took a bite of bland oatmeal.
