by S. T. Bende
Breathe, Aura. It’s not like they don’t already know what happened.
I pulled back my shoulders, straightened my spine, and dove into my grandmother’s epic failures.
“However,” I began, “where Leon and Helena ruled with love, Queen Constance was guided by fear. During the early days of her rule, a faction called the Kongelig gained prominent roles within her cabinet. The Kongelig prioritized purity of bloodlines, physical and mental strength, and a willingness to fall in line for what they deemed to be the greater good. Their values were so disparate from the original purpose of Alfheim that a second faction, the Opprør, rose to oppose them. This party valued light, love, creativity, and inclusion. Their numbers quickly grew to outnumber the Kongelig, but without the regent’s support, they remained the political minority. Last fall, their leaders disappeared—they have yet to return. Today, Kongelig figurehead, Fyrs Narrik, exercises an unhealthy level of control over the realm. Despite his continued efforts to convert Alfheim to a military state, and although the Opprør leadership have been missing for nearly a year, we hope they will one day return and help restore Alfheim to the world it was under Queen Helena and King Leon—one filled with light, hope, and the continued reach for a better tomorrow through education, sharing of resources, and artistic inspiration.”
Elin picked up where I’d left off. “While Alfheim’s future remains uncertain, once the Opprør are restored, and proper leadership of Alfheim is sustained, it will once again be possible for peace to govern our realm. Thank you.”
“Well said, ladies.” Professor Telsha nodded in approval. “Take your seats—I’d like to go into a bit more detail about the missing Opprør leadership as a class.”
Elin scurried to her chair, and I followed with a heavy exhale. We’d done it—another final exam was behind us, and our professor hadn’t looked disappointed at our effort. Hopefully we’d ace History of Alfheim, and move on to whatever awaited us as fourth-years with stellar grades.
Or at least passing ones.
“Good job, Glitre.” Viggo offered as I took my seat in front of him.
“You too,” I whispered back.
Ondyr reached over to give me a high five. “Nice work, cousin.”
“What am I, chopped lutefisk?” Elin raised a pointed brow.
“You did okay,” Ondyr drawled.
Elin rolled her eyes at him. “You’re on my list, buddy.”
“When aren’t I?” Ondyr retorted.
“The Opprør senators have been missing for quite some time.” Professor Telsha’s statement pulled my attention to the front of the room. “This is significant in terms of our course, because a hostility of this scope is unprecedented. Never, in the History of Alfheim, have the leading members of a political party been taken hostage without a subsequent demand.”
“Meaning?” Ondyr asked.
“There have been takeovers before,” Professor Telsha explained. “Threats issued between opposing parties over the years. During the times Elin and Aura mentioned, when an official accepted a bribe from a dark realm, there were even periods in which party leaders were held under duress. But in each of those cases, a demand was issued—whether monetary, or one designed to coerce a favorable vote—the abducting party’s goal was always made clear. But here, we have a situation where the Opprør leadership disappeared on the eve of an important vote. It seems obvious that their opponents wanted to influence the outcome of that vote. And yet the Kongelig have issued no demand, and in fact deny all knowledge of the Opprør’s disappearance.”
“They’re obviously lying,” a girl in the back chimed in. “They’re the ones who benefited most from the senators’ absence—the admissions policies were changed so only full-blooded students could come to the academy. My sister didn’t get a spot for next year.”
I stared at my cuticles. Constance and I were doing everything we could to reverse that policy. But the way the laws were set up, we needed either her cabinet or the senate to support us. And since both were almost exclusively Kongelig, we’d hit an impasse.
“If the Kongelig didn’t take them, then who did?” asked a boy in the front.
“Can you think of anyone else who stands to benefit from their disappearance?” Professor Telsha asked.
Viggo raised his hand. “What about Narrik?”
I tilted my head. “The Kongelig figurehead. Isn’t that the same thing?”
“Yes,” Elin muttered.
But Viggo lifted his shoulders. “We’re still new here. We don’t know where he came from, or who he was before he got the minister job. Could he be working independently, or is he just a cog in his party’s machine?”
We all turned expectantly toward the front of the classroom.
“That’s an astute question.” Professor Telsha pursed her lips. “I admit, I’m not familiar with Minister Narrik’s history. He declines interviews, and reveals nothing publicly. I only know that he rose to power roughly seventeen years ago, and has remained a fixture in Queen Constance’s cabinet ever since.”
“He’s been a staunch advocate for the barrier, and admissions limitations based on bloodline since we got here,” Elin offered. “So, I assume he was born here to full-blooded parents.”
“Or he opened a portal from Helheim and crawled in when nobody was looking.” The girl in the back snickered.
I shook my head. “Narrik’s not the issue. Recovering those missing senators is.”
“Exactly.” Ondyr leaned forward. “But how do you find someone nobody admits to abducting?”
“Search teams have canvassed the realm, but nothing’s come of it.” I sighed. “Without any leads, it’s been impossible to make headway.”
“The loss of the Opprør is significant in the story of Alfheim, not only because their disappearance has shifted the political landscape, but because it marks the first time a party has fallen with no known perpetrator.” Professor Telsha folded her hands together. “They simply disappeared.”
My head throbbed anew, and I pressed my hands to my temples. I wasn’t doing enough. Not for the missing leaders, not for the realm’s ecosystems, and not for the citizens who’d depended on me to be their voice. I didn’t know how I was going to fit in more than I already was, but I was painfully aware that I had to do better.
A lot of lives depended on it.
Chapter 6
THAT NIGHT, I STOOD behind the double doors that led to the castle’s grand staircase. Vendya’s ivory gown hung off my shoulders, its cinched waist flaring in layers of tulle that flowed all the way to the floor. I’d just reached to check that the flowered blue-and-yellow crown was still in place when a quiet chuckle drew my focus to the right.
“You’re not going to lose it,” Viggo assured me. “That dress lady sewed it on, right?”
“The seamstress pinned it,” I corrected. “And still. This thing’s pretty much priceless. Some Asgardian gave it to my great-grandmother. I have no idea why they’re letting me wear it.”
“Hey. You’ve got this.” It had become his signature line. “Now, go out there and get in the game.”
“You sound like Signy.” I let Viggo hook my hand around his elbow. “But I’m pretty sure I’m going to trip on the stairs. So, look out for that.”
“I won’t let you,” Viggo promised. And I didn’t doubt his words.
“Announcing Her Royal Highness, Crown Princess Aura of Alfheim.”
My heartrate spiked at the declaration from beyond the closed doors.
“We’re on,” Viggo said calmly. In his navy suit and silver sash, he looked as if he could have been straight out of a fairy tale. Vendya had designed his jacket to fit around his wings, and they fluttered easily behind him as he led me toward the double doors.
When they opened, I kept my hand firmly on Viggo’s forearm and took small steps across the hardwood floor. My breath hitched as I caught the seemingly infinite number of faces staring from the bottom of the staircase. The royal ballroom was filled with dip
lomats, some I recognized, some I could only assume were visiting from Vanaheim. I spotted Minister Narrik glaring from the back corner, surrounded by his gaggle of goons. I shifted my gaze to the front of the room, where considerably friendlier faces smiled at me.
Signy and Larkin beamed from their positions near the pillars, while two of the remaining Opprør aides offered supportive nods. At the foot of the stairs, my grandmother wore her typically tight-lipped expression, while Eunice’s face was arranged in a thin smile. Behind them stood the members of Vanaheim’s royal family—an unnaturally attractive, and exceedingly tall, man and woman, and a girl who looked to be just a few years older than me. They were dressed all in white, and I hoped I hadn’t committed a faux pas by dressing in what appeared to be their signature color. Though Vendya would have done extensive research to avoid embarrassing the crown.
I hope.
My ankles wobbled as I descended the first stair, and Viggo surreptitiously placed his other hand atop mine. With a gentle squeeze, he guided me the rest of the way until we stood firmly on the solid ground of the ballroom floor.
Step one down. Now to charm the Vanaheimians.
“Crown Princess Aura.” A man to my right nodded. He extended his hand to the tall trio. “May I present their majesties, King Hakon and Queen Silvie of Vanaheim. And the crown princess, Idris.”
“Your majesties.” I released my grip on Viggo and executed the deep curtsy Eunice had drilled into me. I bent my knees until they nearly touched the ground while maintaining a ramrod-straight spine. After a two-second pause, I slowly rose again. Formal greetings were customary between royal families, though as co-regent I bowed to no-one on Alfheim . . . not even Constance.
“Crown Princess.” King Hakon bowed at the waist, and his wife and daughter mirrored my curtsy. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“May I present my escort, Viggo Sorenssön, of Alfheim.” I gestured to my boyfriend. When he bowed, his wings shimmered beneath the lights of the chandeliers.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” King Hakon said as Viggo rose. “I understand you were a tremendous asset to your realm during the recent dark elf attack.”
“That’s very kind,” Viggo said. “Though to be frank, I was knocked out for a good portion of it. Aura had to shield the both of us.”
“I heard about that.” Princess Idris’s violet eyes twinkled. “I can’t believe your family allows you to fight. Mine would lock me away in a tower if I’d let them.”
“You are extremely precious to us.” Queen Silvie lifted her chin.
“I’m sure Aura is precious to her family,” Idris pointed out.
To Signy, sure. To Constance . . . I stifled my snort.
“Precious might be a strong word,” I said diplomatically. “How much do you know about my family history?”
“Just a bit,” Idris admitted. “Your protocol advisor sent ours a breakdown that seemed to be . . . incomplete.”
“Figures.” I snuck a glance at Eunice, who stared at me like I was a live grenade. No doubt if I put one foot out of place, I’d be hearing about it for weeks. “My journey has been a bit unconventional.”
I shot Viggo a look out of the corner of my eye. He quickly looped my arm around his, and smiled at Idris. “But we’re more interested in hearing about your experience, Crown Princess. I understand you’ve been instrumental in bringing environmental protection to Vanaheim.”
“It’s been the primary mission of my administration to date,” Idris said. “Is that a topic you’re interested in?”
“Very much,” Viggo confirmed. “And Aura even more so. We were hoping we could ask your advice on the best way to implement sustainable policies.”
Idris turned to me and arched her neatly groomed brows. “You’re the Crown Princess. You simply implement them.”
I glanced at my grandmother, now engrossed in conversation with Idris’s parents. “It’s not that easy here,” I admitted. “Things are . . . more complicated politically than they are on your realm. But we’re determined to push things through, and your initiatives have yielded remarkable success. Would you mind sharing your process over dinner?”
“Not at all.” Idris tossed her white-blond hair over one shoulder. “What happens to one realm affects us all. And it’s not gone unnoticed that Alfheim’s suffered over the past few years.”
“That’s an understatement. Our—” Eunice’s disapproving glare stopped me short. “Our, uh, population will benefit greatly from your expertise, I’m sure.”
“You flatter me.” Idris placed a hand on my arm and leaned in closer. “Also, I’m assuming the woman giving you the stink eye is your protocol advisor. Mine looks at me exactly the same way.”
“Thank gods.” I covered my grin with my fingertips. “I thought I was the only princess under constant scrutiny.”
“Please. That’s what being a princess is.” Idris rolled her eyes. “Maybe after dinner we can sneak away and have a real conversation. I’ll tell you all the ways I’ve disappointed Narissia over the years. Missed curfews, delinquent thank you notes, that time I accidentally lost one of Freya’s prized cats on a diplomatic visit . . .”
“Freya, Asgard’s Goddess of Love?” I balked. “You met her? Wait, did you say you lost her cat?”
“In my defense, I was only five.” Idris chuckled. “And I didn’t know he couldn’t go outside. Who keeps a cat inside all of its life? No wonder he bolted the minute I opened the door!”
Laughter bubbled in my throat. Idris and I were going to get along just fine. For all the formality of her role, she seemed to be refreshingly grounded. Thank gods.
“Ladies, gentlemen, honored guests of the royal court.” One of the pages stood in front of the gilded double doors that led to the formal banquet room. “Dinner is served.”
The doors parted, and the sea of diplomats, senators, and aids moved seamlessly through the ballroom.
Viggo tilted his head at Idris. “After you, Crown Princess.”
“Call me Idris,” she said easily. “And I’d rather follow you. I have no idea where I’m going.”
That made two of us.
With a shrug, I let Viggo guide us into the ballroom. Eunice pointed surreptitiously to the right, and we circled the table until we found place cards bearing our names. I was thrilled to discover I was seated on the opposite end of the table from Minister Narrik . . . though he still managed to shoot me a glare that would have frozen lava.
“Who is that man?” Idris whispered as she took her place to my right. “The one staring at you as if he’d like to personally see to your execution?”
She was a perceptive one, the crown princess of Vanaheim.
“That would be our minister of state.” I held Narrik’s gaze, refusing to be the first to break eye contact. Lesson number one of Verge training—never let them see you sweat.
“I take it he isn’t a fan of yours?” Idris pressed.
“Fyrs Narrik is a bully,” I said matter-of-factly. Narrik’s nostrils flared. Had he actually heard me through all the chatter? Yikes. When a diplomat to his left offered him a sparkling beverage, he was forced to look away.
Score one, Aura.
“He’s a dark one, isn’t he?” Idris murmured.
“You have no idea,” I said. “He’s—"
“Velkommen.” My grandmother’s terse voice interrupted what was about to be a very frank comment about Narrik’s very unfavorable character. Constance was standing at her place, her glass held delicately in one hand. “It is my pleasure to see our honored guests, esteemed visitors, and of course, respected representatives of our own government.”
Constance’s eyes roamed from the king and queen at her right, down the table to Idris, and back around the opposite side. When she reached Narrik, her grip on her wine glass tightened enough that her knuckles turned white. One corner of his mouth quirked upward, her discomfort clearly giving him some kind of thrill. What the Helheim was his deal?
“This evening marks the first of what I hope will be many visits between our realms’ governing bodies.” Constance’s thin lips pressed together in what I guessed was meant to be a smile. “King Hakon, Queen Silvie, it has been far too long since our families have gathered.”
“Alfheim used to be a paragon of ethics and light—the standard other realms strove to reach. In recent years, your choices reflected your lack of care for not only your own well-being, but also that of the realms you have sworn to protect.” Queen Silvie tilted her head. “However, since Alfheim has once again committed itself to share its light with all, Vanaheim is pleased to re-forge our alliance.”
Whoa. What?
I’d known they were keeping us at arm’s length, but Eunice hadn’t said anything about an alliance being formally un-forged. Had Vanaheim distanced itself because of the barrier? And if so, why hadn’t that been covered in my briefing?
I made a mental note to grill Eunice later.
“Did you know anything about that?” Viggo leaned close to whisper in my ear.
“Nope.” I shook my head. “Feel like that would have been worth a mention.”
“Agreed.” His voice was thick with disapproval.
“Well.” Constance’s thin smile tightened as she lifted her glass higher. “Let’s hope this is the first of many mutually advantageous convenings. To our realms.”
“To the light.” Queen Silvie raised her own glass. The crystal sparkled beneath the chandeliers.
“To the light,” repeated King Hakon.
Glasses lifted all around the table. “To the light,” we echoed.
As I brought my drink to my mouth, I snuck a glance at Narrik. His lips were pursed and the skin around his eyes seemed unnaturally tight, almost as though he were fighting not to glare. No doubt, he found the toast abhorrent.
Good.
Constance sat, and I returned my glass to the table. Easy chatter filled the room as white-gloved waiters placed salad plates before us. When the staff had withdrawn, I picked up my fork and took a small bite. An explosion of flavors danced across my tongue.