Though a fresh breeze flowed in through the open wall, the air became charged, hot and heavy. Solveig watched him with the same scrutiny she had in the hallway. Westley couldn’t bear to speak, not daring to disrupt the change.
This looks familiar.
Without responding with thought or word, Solveig silently approached the mystery door on the wall and pulled a key out of her pocket, unlocking the ornate handle. He followed as she showed him into a nearly identical room
A giant light oak-framed bed, white silk sheets, the billowing canopy that rippled with the breeze. Golden curtains along the open wall, white marble pillars framing the view. The room from the dreams.
These are your rooms?he asked.
Solveig nodded.
The image of their bodies intertwined in her silk sheets flashed through his mind. The fog of dreaming kept the details from him, but he remembered how he’d longed to hear the sounds she made, remembered the feeling of her body on his. His throat felt thick as he looked at her. She was staring outside, taking in the view as tears welled in her eyes.
The urge to brush them away was strong.
A single tear rolled down her cheek when her eyelids fluttered closed. “There were times in the cave when I thought I’d never see this place again.”
“I’m sorry, Solveig.” He would never stop apologizing. As long as she let him, he would be there, grovelling at her feet.
The light of the sun glowed in her eyes as her home cast away a little of the darkness that haunted her.
“Why am I here?” he asked quietly.
“These quarters were an original part of the palace when the first king and queen ruled Asgard. It was an arranged marriage, so they wantedseparate rooms. She designed hers, and he envied it so much, he copied it, adding his own touches to the decor. Generations later, when a couple who actually loved each other ruled, they built a separate wing to share on the other side of the palace, facing their lands.
“When I was growing up, I was drawn to these rooms, so my mothers gave them to me. They insisted you stay in the king’s suite so I can keep an eye on you.”
He was having a hard time reading her, unable to measure her words or tone—her vulnerability knocked him off kilter. Her face remained unguarded, and though she stood at a distance, she didn’t appear uncomfortable with the thought of him staying next to her.
“Dangerous, don’t you think? Putting a rival Fae prince in the king’s quarters? What if the workers in the palace get confused and assume they are to obey me?”
“Don’t worry, there’ll be no mistaking you for royalty. We only bow to queens here,” Solveig said with a sly smile.
“Very well,” said Westley, taking a step towards her. “I shall reserve my bows only for my Queen.”
He started to bend at the hips as her eyes went wide. A knock at the door interrupted and he straightened immediately. Solveig wrenched her door open to find Gerrie there, panting.
“So many ... stairs ... out of ... shape,” she said, taking heaving breaths between words.
“You’re the strongest being I know,” answered Solveig with a laugh. “What do you need?”
“They’re here,” Gerrie got out, sliding dramatically to the floor. Solveig met Westley’s gaze.
Here we go.
Solveigflewdowntheflights of stairs and out into the courtyard, Westley and Gerrie on her heels.
The queens met them in the foyer of the palace, and though her mothers narrowed their eyes at the prince’s presence, they said nothing as they all went out to greet the Southern Wilds convoy.
Relief flooded her heart when she counted the heads. All sixty-three survivors were accounted for. She rushed forward, embracing Quillon and his family, kissing the witchlings on the head and hugging Quillon’s wife.
The whole group looked a little worse for wear, the witchlings tired and crying. Families were immediately ushered off to get cleaned up and fed. Her heart lurched as she took in Sten’s dishevelled form, hoping it was only malnourishment that made him look so grave.
She’d have to speak with him later.
Once her people were taken care of, she turned to face the only two who remained.
Solveig’s shoulders tensed at the torrent of her magic. It swelled with the desire to be let free at the sight of Latham and Trella. The Asgardian soldiers encircled the pair, ignoring Latham’s look of haughty disbelief.
