“You have, have you?”
“Excuse me? You tell her about Easta but not me?” North whipped her head to chide Westley, who sighed, looking up to Valhalla for help.
“Don’t worry, he only said very unpleasant things,” Solveig reassured with a teasing smile, making North beam.
She was enjoying this exchange more than she would’ve thought until Noren and her other guards from the cave came to join their little group. Westley tensed as Solveig looked them up and down.
“Solveig, this is Viggo and Brenna,” he said, introducing her to Thick and Water.
“A pleasure to meet you,” Viggo said with a bow as Brenna curtsied. Solveig did not return either gesture, though etiquette demanded she give them each a nod. In ordinary circumstances, she’d damn the manners and greet them with the tips of her daggers. However, they were in the presence of too many eyes. Solveig had to pick and choose each step and each word carefully.
Her lack of deference was noted by the group.
“No need for such pleasantries,” Solveig said coldly. “You are too well acquainted with my screams for that.”
North’s and Easta’s heads bobbed between them, confusion written plainly on their faces. Viggo stiffened and Brenna took an involuntary step back when Solveig bared her teeth.
“What’s going on?” North asked, all casual pretence dropped, her voice ringing with authority.
“Do you truly not know?” Solveig raised her brows.
Noren shifted on his feet as the tension grew. She saw his hands twitch towards his weapons, the air charged with unease. A slow smile spread across her face as she dared him to reach for them, delighted she may have a reason to inflict harm after all.
“You all look like a fight’s about to break out, and we came to join the fun!”
A chipper voice came from behind her and Solveig immediately relaxed, a true smile replacing her scowl as she turned and walked into Vali’s open arms.
Valiandhisthreebrothers approached their group, Gerrie hanging on Henny’s arm.
Westley’s insides squirmed as Vali embraced Solveig for far too long. The Elven prince even leaned into the crook of her neck and nuzzled. Westley couldn’t hold back the slight growl that escaped him—his sisters caught the noise, their brows raising.
When the pair finally separated, Vali kept his arm around Solveig’s waist and smiled, catching Westley glaring at them.
“Can I assume Solveig has managed to offend everyone in the circle merely by existing?” Vali asked with a playful squeeze of Solveig’s waist. She punched his side, eliciting a surprised cough. Westley wished she had punched him harder.
Broken a rib. Punctured a lung.
Snapped his arm off where his hand grazed her bare hip.
“Quite the opposite, actually,” Solveig started. “I’ll have you know I was doing nothing wrong—”
“A likely story,” Bo muttered, and Solveig shot him a playful glare.
“You know,” Westley cut in, “I think it’s time for a dance.” He stepped right up to Solveig and offered his hand. “General?” He heardthe confusion of the Elven princes behind him. He’d let Noren fill them in after he stole her away.
Solveig hesitated, and he tried not to let that sting. The presence of Noren, Viggo, and Brenna at his back was not helping the fragile trust they’d developed over the past few weeks.
His hand lingered in the air, and he decided that she’d have to publicly rebuff him if she didn’t want to dance. He would not pull away.
Easta’s muffled chuckle broke the spell, and Solveig slid out of Vali’s embrace, placing her hand into Westley’s waiting palm. He gripped her firmly, hoping no one saw the spark that sprang from their skin when they touched.
Westley led her out to the dance floor as the musicians began performing a new song, the minor notes ringing through the hall. Rows of pairs lined up for the dance. She stood across from him, still holding his outstretched hand.
The first few beats of the song rang out and the dance began, couples coming together in practised steps. Westley placed his hand on her waist, the feel of her soft skin sending energy and magic swirling in his blood.
Everything around him melted away until it was only the two of them.
Their bodies pressed close together, closer than necessary for this dance. Her hand rested on his arm as he lifted their joined hands, moving them to the intoxicating music as the chords built and swelled around them.
