My heart began thumping in my chest as Ivren stepped forward.
I’d choose Viljan as my second. And I would be forced to choose Kilia, because keeping him close was the only way I could ensure he didn’t speak of what he suspected unless I wished to take his life. But I needed a fourth.
When Ivren halted before the fire standing to the east, I swept my gaze over the crowd. Fedic bowed his head when he caught my eyes, and I gave him a quick smile. Hewouldbe a good choice. Ivren trusted him, and even Viljan didn’t seem to mind his company.
Unlike most others, he also didn’t seem like he wanted to kill me.
Hostile eyes found mine next, and I quickly moved on. The karls Geord had led—the ones who’d ambushed Ivren and killed Adrion at Svartoarna—knew they wouldn’t be chosen tonight. It was clear by the way they showed their teeth they weren’t waiting for a blessing but sharpening their axes for revenge.
I didn’t understand how the king could allow them to continue in the Hird. He knew what had happened last time someone had set out to kill the iron-bound.
The air whirled as Ivren cleared his throat.
I caught Ilse’s eyes, and I was about to offer her a smile as well when Ivren spoke.
“Viljan Olaufsen.”
I blinked. Ilse’s eyes didn’t round, but a shadow crossed her face. Tearing my eyes away, I turned from Ivren to Viljan.
I must have misheard.
“I choose Viljan Olaufsen as my second,” Ivren said again.
“W-what?” I stuttered.
The world muted as Ivren turned my way, an apologetic grimace on his face.
He mouthed something, but I didn’t understand.
What was happening? What was he doing? And why?
Viljan stood frozen as well. His eyes clung to mine as whispersrose from the crowd, more emotions than I’d ever seen racing over his features. But it was the fear that made me press a hand over my mouth, my stomach churning.
“Viljan Olaufsen. You must step forward,” the king ordered. “Now.”
When Viljan took a step, so did I.
“Sweengard,” the king warned. “You will wait your turn.”
“But I?—”
“No heir may interfere in another heir’s choice,” the king growled.
But he’d interfered with mine. Angry tears pricked my eyes as I took another step toward Ivren.
“Itrustedyou,” I said, my voice so much calmer than my raging soul. “I trusted you!”
“I’ll explain,” Ivren hissed. “Later.”
Darcke and the other warriors swung their legs over the bow’s railing on the king’s ship when I took another step, and when the king nodded, they jumped off, landing elegantly on the dock. The crowd formed a tunnel for them, and I shook my head as they started to make their way over.
Rakkel’s hand found its way into mine. “Careful. You can’t do anything about it now.”
“Viljan is mine,” I hissed.
“Not anymore,” Rakkel said, her voice gentle. “It won’t end well if you don’t calm down.”
Calm down? Viljan was my people’s only hope. He wasmyonly hope.
