by E. Latimer
Charlotte’s voice shook. “Do you think she'll get a name out of him? That he'll give up Leif?"
Gunnar's dead eyes came back to me, the way he'd smiled just before he had been dragged out of sight. "I doubt it." There was a moment of silence, and then I sighed and turned over in bed to face her, dropping my voice to a whisper. "I meant to talk to you before all of this happened. We're going to war in two weeks...and I'm supposed to be leading it. And on top of that, I don't think Leif is going to be content with this failed attempt. It will happen again, and the next time, you might not be there to bash Gunnar over the head. Charlotte, I have to leave tomorrow night. I have to go with Loki."
It wasn't how I'd wanted to break the news. In the dark it was hard to make out Charlotte’s expression, but she didn’t protest.
She just said, "I know," and turned over to face the canopy, and then we were both silent for a long time after that.
Eventually Charlotte’s breathing became deep and even, and I knew she’d finally fallen asleep. I didn’t think I could.
I lay there, staring at nothing, my entire body vibrating with tension and fear. From somewhere far away, so faint that I wasn’t sure it was real, I thought I heard the sound of hoarse screaming. But it had to have been my imagination. The dungeons couldn’t have been close enough.
The darkness was complete in the bedroom now, and I shut my eyes and wished it would swallow me whole.
Chapter Forty-Three
Charlotte spent most of the next day with Davin, and I spent it training. As usual. It was a little different this time though, since Erik was completely distracted. He was alternately furious about the Viking twins abandoning their post—they had apparently mysteriously vanished—and apologetic and worried, repeatedly asking me if I was okay.
"He didn't actually get me," I kept saying. "I'm fine." Another lie.
The thin, red line around my neck burned every time I turned my head. Luckily, I'd found a gauzy, lavender scarf I'd insisted on wearing even while we were doing our ice training. If Erik saw the red line, he'd freak out even more.
I was supposed to meet Loki tonight. I kept thinking about it. It was the only thing I could think about, actually. How was I supposed to sneak away? Erik had put new guards on my case, no doubt having threatened them with their lives should they dare to leave me or let me slip away. There was no way I would be able to pull my bathroom stunt with them. They dogged my every step.
After lessons were over and I was able to convince Erik I was okay, that I just wanted to go back to my room and get some peace and quiet, I managed to pry myself away from him. He was hesitant to let me go, and he even walked me to my room.
At the door, he reached out and took my hand, startling me. "Amora, I'm just so sorry I wasn't there. I shouldn't have trusted those guards. I'm still so shocked..." He trailed off, his expression haunted.
How did he feel right now? Betrayed, probably. If Erik had vouched for the Viking twins, he must have known them.
"It's okay," I said and then hesitated. It felt like I should say something, but I wasn't sure it was my business. I wasn't the queen. I didn't want to be. But, at this point, it was affecting me in pretty dramatic ways. So maybe it was my business. "I don't think I trust the elite guard."
He blinked at me.
I pushed on hastily. "I'm... I don't want to insult you. I know you're the captain now, and you trust them. I just... I know Yakira trains them, and she's with Leif's crowd."
Erik nodded slowly. "She spends time with him socially, you mean."
I frowned. "I think it's more than that. I think you might have a real problem on your hands."
"You think Leif is forming a rebellion against the queen." His eyebrows went up, but he didn't look like he was entirely dismissing my concerns. "I've been watching Leif. I keep a careful eye on him and his followers. He's not organized enough." He smiled, a quick, tight expression. "Hence why his followers attempts are wildly unsuccessful. Gunnar was a loose cannon. I should have known he'd snap."
"I don't know." My hand drifted to my throat. "I think he's smarter than you think. More organized too."
Erik frowned, his eyes searching my face. "Is there something I should know?"
"No. I'm just telling you what I think." I turned away, hoping I wasn't blushing. Then I paused at the door. "I'm probably not going to be at dinner tonight, so I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"All right." He sounded reluctant. "Guards are stationed outside the door. They're instructed to report back to me immediately if there's any trouble. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks."
Finally, he left, and I shut the door and leaned against it with a relieved sigh. Maybe he would take my warning seriously and do some more investigating. But I felt a little sick over it. He was underestimating Leif.
At least Gunnar was rotting in the dungeons now. The idea made me feel a little better. I settled in at the vanity table, trying to tug the knots out of my hair with one of the silver-backed brushes.
Now, I had to worry about Loki. He would figure out what was going on when I didn't come meet him. And then what? I had no idea how we were going to pull this off. Again, I wished Charlotte were here to talk to, but she was out. No doubt trying to get as much time with Davin as she could before we left tonight.
If we left tonight.
~*~
Charlotte came in once toward the afternoon, darting around the room like a small tornado in a white dress. I watched in amusement as she hopped around while trying to do her hair and put jewelry on, still chattering in excitement. Finally, she left, taking the noise and activity with her, telling me that she'd be back later tonight. She was so happy that I didn't want to bother her with thoughts about later on. It wasn't like she could magically get rid of the guards.
I felt sort of lost when the room was silent again. It was great that she was out enjoying herself, but her constant chatter was a distraction from the tempest brewing in my head. Trying to push away thoughts about our escape was nearly impossible.
Suppertime came and went, and I just lay on the bed, staring up at the canopy, listening to footsteps shuffling past in the hallway and distant laughter. There was a knock on the door, and I jerked upright. "Come in."
Loki pushed through the doorway, carrying a platter of sandwiches. He didn’t bother to close it all the way, making straight for me, his eyes fixed on my face. “You’re all right?”
I had to clap my hand over my mouth to keep from yelling at him. What was he doing in my room? He could get caught.
He yanked the wig and glasses off and threw them onto the bed. Then he jumped onto the mattress beside me, and I nearly tipped over onto him. To my shock, he tugged my scarf down.
“Gods, they were right. The gossip is true. ”
"Hey!" I kept my voice down, swatting his hand away. "Don’t you start too. Look, I’m fine. But you’re not going to be if they catch you. What if they check on us? And you're supposed to be delivering my dinner. You can't stay."
"I did bring you dinner. But I also brought a book. I told the guards I’m going to read to you, teach you Old Norse.” Loki gestured at the tray on the end of the bed, where a little black book sat next to a plate of sandwiches. “Old Norse and peanut butter. Delicious.” He was still acting so casual. But the way he curled his hands into fists didn’t escape my notice. He seemed to realize he was doing it and flexed his fingers, clearing his throat. “They’re saying it was Gunnar.”
“Yeah, and don’t try anything funny. He’s an assassin. He’s also in the dungeons right now, so it’s taken care of.” I picked one of the sandwiches off the plate and bit into it.
When I looked up, Loki was staring at me.
Blushing furiously, I swallowed and then said, "Don't watch me eat."
"Why not?" He flopped over, stretching the length of his body out on the bed, putting his hands behind his head. "You're cute when you're shoving food in your mouth."
I poked him ha
rd in the ribs.
He let out an exaggerated breath. "Oof! Don't be so violent. I brought you sandwiches."
"You did," I said. "And now, you should leave."
He sat up and grabbed my hand. "Someone tried to kill you, so I assume you’re coming with me? Say yes. Otherwise, I’ll have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you out caveman style.”
“I already told you I was coming.”
“Good. I have a plan to sneak you out past these meatheads."
Relief made me feel giddy. "You do?"
He released my hand and quirked one dark eyebrow at me. "You’re ready tonight?”
"Yes. I just... I think Charlotte is too. I have to talk to her."
"Good. Wait for the signal. The signal will be extremely loud and probably very messy. You can’t miss it." He winked. "Oh, and you know how, in the movies, they put a bunch of pillows under the sheets to look like a person? Do that. And add this." He fished a handful of white-blond hair out of his pocket.
Another wig.
I took it from him, running the fine strands through my fingers. "Did you raid a costume shop?" It was about the same color as my hair. It would definitely look realistic spread across the pillow. "Nice touch."
"Should buy us a few more minutes. I couldn't find the right shade for Charlotte." He shrugged. "But your side of the bed is closer to the door."
"How do you know that?" I wrinkled my nose when he laughed, a low, deep chuckle. "Creeper."
"You know I love it when you call me names." He leaned forward without warning, his hand on the back of my neck, the other under my chin, tilting my face up.
His mouth was hot on mine just for a second. Then he pulled back, but I made a small, outraged sound and grabbed his shirt collar, yanking him back toward me.
Loki flashed his crooked grin and then put his hands on my shoulders and pushed me over.
"Hey—"
My protests died away when he threw one leg over my stomach, straddling my hips. It was strangely reminiscent of the position Gunnar and I had been in last night, though having the lights on and Loki grinning down at me was enough to wash away any leftover chill of fear.
He leaned forward, pressing my shoulders against the bed, and his mouth found mine again. The kiss was firmer this time, more insistent. His hands tangled in my hair.
I pulled back. "You're reckless and ridiculous. And you only have moments before they come check on us. Shouldn’t you be reading?"
"My lessons are very…interactive." His eyes glittered, and it sent a chill zipping over my skin.
“I’m learning so much,” I murmered.
A loud bang from the opposite side of the room made us both jump.
My eyes flew open. The guards. How was I going to explain—
"What the hell is this?"
I peered around Loki, my heart in my throat.
There, in the doorway, his face twisted with rage, stood Erik.
Chapter Forty-Four
"Get off her!" Erik's outraged cry sent horror coursing through me. He clearly thought Loki was attacking me. He was across the room in four strides, towering over us, and Loki's weight was yanked off me.
"Settle down—" Loki said.
Then Erik tackled him and they crashed to the floor.
I shot off the bed. "Erik, stop!"
Neither of them seemed to hear me. They were grappling with one another, rolling over on the floor, each trying to get the upper hand. Erik managed to flip Loki over and jam a knee in his chest. He swung at his face, and Loki caught his fist in one hand, yanking his arm sideways.
The doors slammed again. The noise of the brawl had brought the guards in. Loki landed a punch on Erik's jaw, and the guards drew their swords with clear ringing sounds. They were suddenly hemmed in on both sides by sharp steel, and Erik sat back, looking woozy but triumphant.
Loki stuck his hands in the air. "All right, I'm giving up, see? Don't jab me with one of those."
I was about to open my mouth to protest, to tell them to back off. That he was with me. But I shut it just as quickly. If I told them, I'd be branded a traitor. I'd probably end up in the dungeons with Gunnar. Or worse.
I stayed quiet for the moment, chewing my thumbnail.
One of the guards, the Amazon woman from the night before, stepped forward and pulled Loki up by his shirt collar. She was tiny compared to him, but she still glared up at him as if she were daring him to give her any trouble.
"We have to take him to the queen."
Panic lodged in my chest, and tears pricked the backs of my eyes.
Erik scrambled off the floor, pushing past the ring of guards. He took my arm. "Are you all right? Did he hurt you?"
I couldn't speak. I just shook my head and stared at him. I should have known he'd come check on me. I should have kicked Loki out right away.
Erik must have mistaken my tears for fright, because he patted my shoulder. "Don't worry. You're safe now."
I shut my eyes, frustrated I couldn't say anything. What would they do to Loki?
"Come on. Let's go," the woman snapped as she tugged on Loki's shirt.
He wouldn't have been budged an inch by her if he hadn’t wanted to be, but he stepped forward. As he went, he turned and gave me a wink.
How the hell could he be so calm?
There was no way I was going to stand there and wonder what was going on. I pulled away from Erik and followed the soldiers on watery knees. Erik fell into step with me, but he didn't say anything.
The procession met Charlotte and Davin in the hall, and Charlotte's eyes went huge and round as she watched Loki being dragged past.
I shot her a warning look, and she nodded once before stepping into the procession right behind me, and Davin followed in her footsteps. The walk to the throne room felt like walking to my own execution. Every step took a colossal effort.
What would the queen do when she saw a fire giant in her palace?
We arrived at the throne room doors, and the guards slowly pushed them open.
All I saw was the back of Loki, his dark curls, and the brown servant's clothes he wore. In spite of the woman pushing him forward, he walked casually, his hands in his pockets, like he was out for a stroll.
It was late, so there were only fifty or so people in the throne room, milling about in clusters on the sparkling crystal floors. They stood with glasses of wine in their long, pale hands, false smiles on their faces as they exchanged niceties.
The noise died as we entered.
My heart flew into my throat the moment I laid eyes on the queen. Somehow, I knew she wasn't going to be merciful. It's like she's made of ice.
Queen Eira stood, her furs pooling on the floor around her as she looked Loki up and down. "What is this?"
"We caught this scum in the princess's bedroom." The woman shoved Loki forward. "Kneel before the queen."
"I'd rather not." Loki shrugged. "Bad knees."
I winced as one of the guards thrust the butt of his spear into the back of Loki's leg, and he went down heavily on one knee. Tears collected in my eyes again, blurring the queen's face as she descended the stairs toward Loki.
When she drew close, she bent down, her face inches away from his. She reached out and seized his face, her nails leaving tracks down his cheeks.
Loki didn't flinch.
"You were planning to kill my daughter, weren't you? Assassinate her." Her voice dripped with contempt.
"No." He might not have flinched, but his voice was strained.
I was ready to burst with frustration. My lungs swelled with the air it would take to scream. My body wanted to scream—needed to. I wanted to throw myself forward and yell at the queen. Don't touch him!
But Erik's hand was suddenly on my shoulder, a gentle pressure that startled me into silence. My head snapped back up as the queen said, "How did you get into my palace?"
Loki's voice was defiant. "If you didn't treat your servants like they were less than animals, I wouldn't have.
You ignore them, teach them to act like they don't exist unless you want them. They become practically invisible. You shot yourself in the foot, Your Majesty. You seem to have a habit of doing that."
Queen Eira's face paled, and her red mouth firmed into a hard line. She drew her arm back, and the crack of her hand hitting Loki's face echoed throughout the throne room.