His stomach plummeted under the weight of her disapproval. Aelfsi laid a hand on top of the one Koa had wrapped around her arm as they shifted their attention to Solveig.
Solveig rose to greet her queens—her mothers—and the three females embraced. Koa lifted a pale hand to cup Solveig’s face and brought her forehead to meet her sister’s.
“It has been too long.” Westley’s Fae hearing detected Aelfsi’s whisper.
“Now,” Koa said as she released Solveig and the queens stepped back to take in their party, “what is this letter you speak of, and what has brought you here?”
Solveig was slow with her explanation, as if parcelling out her confusion. “You sent me a letter telling me to come to Asgard, informing me of Gerrie’s disappearance.” She spared a glance at her friend, whose eyebrows rose.
“Interesting,” Aelfsi whispered. The queens shared a look before turning back to Solveig. “We never sent such a letter and have not received one from you for quite some time.” Her tone was that of a scolding mother.
“Since your return from capture, to be exact,” Koa added. “Just this morning we were discussing visiting the Southern Wilds ourselves.”
“So you don’t know ...” Solveig trailed off, and her happiness at seeing Gerrie alive and well was quickly replaced with the harsh sorrow Westley knew all too well.
“It seems there is much to discuss,” Aelfsi said, understanding Solveig’s reluctance to speak in the open.
“Come, let us counsel.” Koa took Solveig by the arm and made to leave the courtyard when the wind blew through the group, carrying Westley’s scent to them. She turned around, all softness gone from her features.
“Prince Westley Erikson,” Koa addressed him directly.
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Why do you carry the scent of our daughter’s fear?” It was Aelfsi who asked the damning question.
Westley froze, his eyes darting to Solveig, who was assessing the two queens.
“Koa, I will explain,” Solveig tried, but Koa did not relent.
“Have you attacked our daughter, Prince?”
His title in the queen’s voice was wrong, said with true disdain and mistrust.
Solveig tried again. “Let the prince and his companion rest while I speak with you in private.”
Queen Koa turned her gaze to Solveig’s and they shared a loaded look, one that Westley was positive he would have to answer to eventually.
“Mark my words, Prince of Idavoll, any threat against our daughter is a threat to Asgard and will be handled with appropriate severity.” Queen Aelfsi punctuated her statement with a gesture to the guards.
Noren and Westley were yanked to standing. They had a moment of relief from the hard stone digging into their knees before their hands were roughly cuffed behind their backs.
I’m sorry.Solveig sounded sincere.
I’d expect nothing less, he replied.
“Take them to the dungeon to await their execution and place three guards for each prisoner outside their cells.”
“Aelfsi, I do not think it wise to make such a rash decision,” Solveig said, her relaxed posture at odds with the urgency in her tone.
Death for my crimes was inevitable, Westley assured her, resigning himself to his fate.
Your death is my call, Prince. Have patience.
Conalle rushed forward. “Your Majesties, please consider the consequences of this verdict.”
Aelfsi turned her cold gaze on the lord, assessing his nervous demeanour. “We will protect our daughter at all costs.” Her steely eyes met Westley’s. “Even if that cost is heir to another realm.”
Westley bowed his head in deference.
