Westley tore himself from her side, ready to get on his hands and knees and beg for her to live if he had to. He yanked his friend up by the shirt.
“You will stay and guard her with your life. If anything happens to her, you are responsible. And if she dies”—Westley pulled him closer, the rough fabric tearing under his tight grip—“you will pay for every drop of blood you made her spill.”
“Don’t you think it would be better if he accompanied you?” Conalle asked.
“I don’t trust him enough to put her life in his hands,” Westley said coldly.
He whistled for Njord, quickly mounted, and took off towards the river. The trees seemed to lean away from his rage, from his despair. But he could not lose hope—he could not lose her. His eyes stung with unshed tears.
What had he done?
This whole time, she had known that he’d captured her. He tried and failed to wrap his mind around that fact. Had she truly forgiven him, or had it all been an act?
Her nightmares hadn’t been an act, and he was the cause of them.
His heart stuttered, pain lancing through him. Westley clutched his chest, jaw clenched tight as an unseen weight fell upon him.
Her heart. He felt her heart seize.
No, no, no, no, no.
Prince?Solveig’s voice filtered into his thoughts, quiet and weak.
I’m here.
I was going to kill you.
Shut up. No you weren’t.
Yes I was.
I’m not arguing with you about this.
A weak chuckle was her reply, and tears escaped Westley’s eyes. He urged Njord on faster, reaching the water’s edge—he had barely stopped before leaping down, beginning his search for the plant. Thankfully,watercress was abundant, the round leafy green burgeoning from the water.
Noren was right to stop me, she insisted.
He gets a free pass and I don’t?he asked, trying to lighten the mood.
She didn’t hesitate to answer.Yes.
Why?
Because he was never anything more than what he was.
What does that mean?He wanted to keep her alert. Her voice lacked her usual power.
It means I never expected him to be more.
I was more?This was not how he wanted to have this conversation. He wanted to sit her down beside a fire maybe, the flames dancing with her hair, masking the heat that swelled within him whenever she was near.
He wanted to hear her scream and rage at him. Hel, he’d have her unsheathe her swords and challenge him. He’d have her accuse him in front of the queens of Asgard.
Not like this.
You are more, Westley. I—
He couldn’t swallow past the rising panic in his throat.Don’t you dare say goodbye. You’d better be alive when I get back.
