by Lucy Roy
She felt his lips curve against her ear as he spoke. “My guards would be on you in a heartbeat.”
“I’d take to the skies before you even hit the floor,” she whispered back, trailing her fingers along the back of his neck and giving his dark hair a tug. “You’d be bleeding out internally and I’d be miles away. I’d like you to remember that if you ever think to put me in a position like you did tonight again.”
Infuriatingly, he chuckled, his breath soft against her hair as he tightened his hands around her. “You know, I don’t think our parents could have chosen a better pairing, do you?”
This time, her smile was genuine. “You’ve got quite a twisted mind. Do you suppose I should let you try to woo me?”
“I’d have you with one kiss. Shall I prove it?”
“Possibly,” she said thoughtfully. “If I wanted our first kiss in six years to be in front of two hundred onlookers.”
“Shall we make a wager, then?”
“Who informed you of my fondness for bets, Highness?”
“Are you telling me you’ve outgrown that penchant since you were a girl?” He tapped his chin then pointed at her. “I believe you still owe me two sils for that time I spent an hour alone in the dungeon.”
She laughed. "Alright, what’s your wager?”
“I’d wager,” he said slowly, “that you’ll break before me.”
“How so?”
He turned his head slightly so that his lips brushed against her temple. “Before our wedding day, I’d bet that you’ll admit your love for me.”
She snorted out a laugh. “You mean before you admit yours for me? Not a chance.”
“Is it a bet, then?”
She sighed. “Are we back to this now? Making wagers for every small thing?”
“I would think undying love would be quite a large thing, but I suppose I see your point.” He grinned down at her, his expression pure trouble. “What do you say, Valkyrie?”
She narrowed her eyes up at him, staring into his infuriatingly handsome face. “What do I get when I win?”
“A lifetime of servitude from your devoted husband?”
“I’ll already have that.”
“The love of a lifetime?”
She arched a brow.
He frowned, considering. “Whoever wins gets to choose the name of our firstborn.”
At that, Freya threw her head back and laughed. “I’ll take that bet.”
“It’s nice to know some things haven’t changed,” he said wistfully.
“Some things do,” she said. “I’m sure we both have.”
“True enough.” He leaned back and smiled at her. “Do you know what I was thinking about just the other day? That time in the gardens when you let me kiss you for the first time.” He slid a hand down her arm and curled his fingers through hers, then brought their joined hands up to rest on his chest. “I think I held your hand just like this, didn’t I?”
She tilted her chin indignantly. “Hardly a peck on the lips, and I believe you got a bit of drool right here,” she said, tapping her cheek with her pinkie. “Hopefully your skill has improved since then.”
“You remember things quite differently than I.” His thumb began to trace small circles on her lower back, and his eyes turned serious. “Are you angry, Freya?”
She sighed, letting him set aside their banter, her hand relaxing on his shoulder. “No, Aer, I’m not angry.”
“Are you happy, then?”
“I suppose I’m not…unhappy. I’ve had thirteen years to get used to the idea of becoming queen and I’ve become quite content with it. I truly believe I—no, we—can do a lot of good for Lindoroth. I’m not overly thrilled with you right now, though. We were supposed to announce at your nameday celebration, not now, not when I’ve barely gotten my footing here.”
“Does that mean I won’t be getting a kiss from my future mate tonight?”
Freya gave him a deadpan look. “You’re surely joking.”
He laughed, then pulled her close, resting his cheek against her hair. “In time, then, Freya. In good time.”
The rest of the night passed by in a blur of bows, curtsies, kissed hands, poisoned scowls from the slew of females who’d surely hoped Aerelius would cast his sights in their direction, and disappointed stares from the males who’d hoped to catch Freya’s eye.
In a way, Freya felt bad for the females who wanted the prince. The hope that he would seek out a mate once he was surrounded by such an eligible pool of females was popular, but to the well-informed, unreasonable.
But there was always hope from the ladies of the five realms that the crown prince would choose one of them.
By the time the last guest departed for the evening, Freya collapsed in a chair in the now-empty ballroom at a table with Lea, Lazarus, Collin, and Aerelius.
“Well, cousin, I have to hand it to you,” Lazarus said, shaking his head as he looked at Aer. “You’re quite adept at making a splash.”
Freya sent a disapproving look at her betrothed, who sat next to her, his arm stretched across the back of her chair. “That’s certainly one way to describe it.”
Aer smirked at her. “Try not to take it so hard. There were too many males gawking at you. I simply stopped their advances before they began.”
“How noble,” she said dryly.
“It’s not entirely without merit,” Collin said, then quickly backpedaled when Freya shot him a look. “Although, perhaps it could have been handled better.”
“Nonsense,” Aer said with a wave of his hand. “Our subjects should always expect the unexpected from their monarchs. Isn’t that right, Valkyrie?”
She sent him a withering look.
Lea snorted. “I’d say Aer was just as eager to get those rancid females off his scent sooner rather than later.”
He shrugged. “True. I simply killed three birds with one stone.” He gave Freya an easy smile. “Now we can move forward in peace.”
“Peace,” Freya scoffed. “You won’t be returning to a dormitory full of females who were hoping to land themselves a princely husband.”
“I can’t help my irresistible nature, Freya, or your fantastic luck.”
“Ugh.” Lea shook her head. “Can we leave now? Or will you be forcing Freya to move into the palace immediately?”
Freya laughed. “As if that would happen.”
“Technically—”
Freya froze, then pointed a finger at her betrothed. “If you have any hopes of wooing your future bride, Your Highness, I’d stop right there.”
He held her gaze for a few seconds, and Freya could see the desire to argue in his eyes. But, wisely, he held up his hands. “Alright, fine. Considering your death threats earlier, I’ll agree to table that idea for now.”
“Death threats?” Collin’s eyes widened. “Gods above, and you’re to marry?”
Freya gave a small shrug. “I simply reminded my beloved prince that I’m quite skilled in certain methods of internal injury should he choose to anger me.”
Aer scoffed. “Puncturing lungs wouldn’t constitute an injury, my lady.”
“Well, this will certainly be the least dysfunctional reign Lindoroth has seen in centuries,” Lea said. “I can only imagine how the children will turn out.”
“Vicious, I’m sure,” Aer said with no small hint of pride.
Freya preened. “If I have anything to do with it, that is.”
“At least you’re in agreement on something,” Laz muttered.
“Freya, dear?”
Freya’s head snapped up at the sound of the queen’s voice. “Your Majesty,” she said, leaping from her seat.
Ordona smiled softly at the others before returning her gentle eyes to Freya. “I was hoping we might take a few minutes to talk, if that’s alright.”
“Of course,” Freya replied.
“Mother…” Aerelius began.
Ordona gave him a look that withered the words at his lips. “After your stunt, Aer
elius, you’re lucky I don’t have you tossed in the dungeons. I’ll only borrow her for a few minutes, then you can have your betrothed back. Freya?”
Without another word, Ordona swept off, her heavy skirts swishing behind her, leaving Freya to scurry after. She followed the queen down the stairs and through the castle halls to her private chambers, separate from those she shared with the king. After they were both inside, she shut the door and faced Freya, a sympathetic smile on her face.
“I am so sorry, Freya,” she said, drawing Freya into her arms. “My son takes after his father in his impetuousness, I’m afraid.”
Freya smiled at Ordona as she stepped back. “It’s not your fault, Your Majesty. I can’t say it surprises me that he chose to reveal your plans in such a spontaneous way.”
“Plans nearly twenty years in the making,” Ordona said with an annoyed shake of her head. “We were discussing this before the two of you were even born, did you know?”
Freya shook her head, a bit surprised. “No, I wasn’t aware. I assumed it came about when we were children.”
“Confirmed, certainly, especially once we knew you were a true halfblood and we saw how well you two took to one another.” She walked away from Freya and picked up a jug of mead, then poured them each a glass. “I do hope you’ll be able to find that closeness again.” After handing Freya hers, she held her own up. “Well, we’ve got to toast to something, wouldn’t you say? What shall it be?”
Freya pondered for a moment, then grinned. “Infuriating males?”
Ordona let out a peal of laughter.
Chapter 20
Freya and Ordona talked a while longer, the queen reassuring her that they’d speak again soon. When she stood to walk Freya out, however, they were stopped by King Salazar, who’d just arrived with Byrric and Aerelius in tow.
“Ah, Freya! I was hoping I’d find you here!” Salazar brushed past her into the queen’s chambers, cigar in hand. “Stay, we’ve got a few things to discuss.”
Freya sent her father, then Aerelius, a confused look, but neither appeared able or willing to offer any insight. Byrric studiously avoided her gaze, while Aer slid his hands in his pockets, appearing perfectly at ease.
Infuriating fool.
“Sal, is this really necessary?” Ordona asked. “It’s late. Surely this can wait until tomorrow.”
Salazar waved off her concern. “Aerelius has chosen to drag this into the open now, so now is when it shall be discussed.”
Freya sent a “see what you did?” look toward her prince before smiling at the king.
“Was there something you wanted to discuss with me, Your Majesty?”
“With all of you,” Salazar replied, sitting down in a chair beside the fireplace and crossing his ankle over his knee. He gestured toward the rest of the queen’s sitting area. “Sit.”
Freya sat down on a small velvet chaise, shifting slightly when Aerelius took a seat beside her.
Eyes narrowed to slits, Salazar stared between them for a moment. He puffed contemplatively on his cigar, then nodded. “You two are ideally suited for one another. Your children will be lovely, I’m sure.”
Freya’s brow lifted at the bold statement and cast a quick look at Aerelius. He leaned back in his seat and stretched his arm along the back of the chaise, a look of arrogant insult blooming on his face.
“We already knew that, Father.”
Freya frowned at the king. “Has someone suggested otherwise?”
“Of course not, dear,” Ordona replied, shaking her head in frustration. “Salazar—”
“There is already talk that, as somewhat of an outsider, you may be ill-suited to be queen, despite your lineage.” Salazar took a sip of wine. “Some might find logic in that sentiment.”
“Some would be fools,” Byrric muttered.
“Agreed,” the king said with a nod. “That said, to avoid any potential annoyances in the upcoming months, we need to begin working immediately to solidify Freya’s place here at the palace.”
“What would you suggest?” Aerelius asked.
“Set a date, for one. Our original plan was to announce the engagement at your nameday celebration in nine months, with the wedding just before the coronation a year from now. That’s been shot to hell, so I think Winter Solstice would be an ideal time for a wedding, instead.”
Freya’s eyes widened as she looked up at her father. “So soon?”
“Oh, Sal! That’s hardly time to plan!” Ordona groaned. “I will not rush the future king’s wedding simply because of some arbitrary schedule you’ve concocted.”
Freya opened her mouth, then closed it, dumbstruck and more than a little disappointed that her wedding was now hardly three months away. She was supposed to get a full year at Aldridge, or so her father and the king had promised, but now that her status had been announced to all, she’d be lucky if she was allowed to finish out her first term. She tried to take comfort in the fact that her betrothed was her friend, a male she cared for and not a complete stranger, but even with that consideration, the sudden change in circumstances was a bit dizzying.
Aerelius brushed a gentle finger along the back of her neck in a calming gesture. “Is there a reason for your haste?”
“Logic, Aerelius. We cannot announce a royal engagement and wait a year for the wedding. Had we done as we’d originally discussed, the wedding would have been at midsummer. Your haste has altered that plan.”
Byrric cleared his throat and gave Aerelius a disparaging look. “Ordona has a point, Sal. Do you truly expect to plan a royal wedding in just a few months?”
Salazar dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand. “Find me a female in this palace who isn’t chomping at the bit to plan a royal wedding and I’ll eat my own shoe. Planning is a non-issue.”
Ordona gave Freya an apologetic smile and a small shrug. “We’ll get started right away, then.”
Frowning, Freya looked at the king. “Your Majesty, you said there were other things we needed to discuss? Aside from the wedding?”
He nodded, then took a puff of his cigar and tapped it into the glass dish at his side. “Yes, we need to discuss your living arrangements now that your identity as the next queen has been revealed.”
“What’s wrong with my living arrangements?”
“They aren’t here.” He looked at Byrric. “She’ll move to the palace immediately. Her chambers have already been secured, so it will be a simple matter of moving her belongings from Aldridge here.”
“What—” Freya sent an alarmed look at Ordona before responding to the king. “Your Majesty, with all due respect—”
“Is this really necessary?” Aerelius asked. “Wouldn’t it be better for her to remain in a position to get to know her future subjects? That was largely the purpose of our attendance there, after all.”
“An excellent point,” Ordona said with a firm nod. “Many of the students who attend Aldridge will hold highly influential positions upon graduation. Now would be the ideal time for her to get to know them on a more personal level.”
“She is under no obligation to become friends with her subjects, Ordona!”
“It will make her a more favorable queen in the long run if she does, Salazar,” Byrric replied. “A future queen who knows her people—”
“Puts herself at risk!” Salazar shouted. “It was one thing when no one knew who she was. The wolves will descend immediately, and you damn well know it!” He pointed a finger at the door. “Half the females who were in that ball are likely planning her demise as we speak.”
Freya opened her mouth to argue, then thought better of it and flopped against the back of the sofa. She flinched when Aerelius danced his fingers along the back of her neck, then stilled, allowing him to offer her a small bit of comfort.
He leaned over and put his lips to her ear. “Just let him get it out of his system.”
Freya clenched her jaw, then nodded. A battle of wits and wills would always rage between them, but even tha
t stubbornness wouldn’t stop Aer from standing by her in times of confrontation. The thought gave her little comfort at the moment, though, considering he wasn’t yet in a position to overrule his father’s decisions.
“You’re being unreasonable, Salazar!” Byrric snapped. “Just because your impetuous son chose now as the time to announce their engagement does not mean my daughter needs to be uprooted from where she belongs!”
“She belongs here, not slumming with the lower classes!” Salazar roared.
“That’s a lovely opinion you have of the people you’ve allowed to educate me,” Aerelius said.
“I should bring you home, as well! I was a fool to think it was a good idea to let you go to that school!”
“You’re a fool if you think it wise to abbreviate their education,” Byrric growled, cutting off the argument between father and son. “The social aspects alone—”
“And you’d do well to remember who you’re speaking to! She can still receive her education at Aldridge, but she will no longer live on campus.”
Furious, Freya’s frayed nerves finally snapped. “All of you, stop! I would like to speak, if that’s quite alright.”
Salazar’s jaw tensed, but when Ordona laid a hand on his shoulder, he held back his response.
Freya nodded her thanks to the queen before addressing the king. “Your Majesty, I’ve lived among the ‘lower classes’ for most of my life. There is merit to the idea of letting my future subjects see me as more than just the prince’s betrothed, more than just the future queen. I can get to know them, form potentially beneficial social relationships.” She took a small breath before continuing. “I can only speak to the perception of the citizens of Allanor, but the idea of their monarchs existing in the same world as them was a difficult one to grasp because the royal court is so far removed from the outer regions. Subjects who know their queen, who know that she’s been living and fighting right alongside them, will defend her should unrest arise. They will defend her king, her family. You may not see the benefit in that, but it’s quite clear to me.”