Page 12 of Heart of Winter
“Who wouldn’t want to?” Rune asked, appalled. To Oliver: “You do want to, right?”
“Well…”
“Oliver’s here in a political capacity, Rune,” Birger said, with gentle censure. “He has lots of important business to discuss in the short time he’s here.” He sent Oliver an understanding look that had Oliver silently thanking him.
“Yes, that’s right,” he said, seizing on the excuse. “I won’t be here long – I have to sail before the harbor closes for winter – and there’s quite a lot to work out between our duchy and your kingdom.”
Rune looked crestfallen, which surprised Oliver.
“It’s a very generous offer, though,” he added, earning a flicker of a smile. “But I’m afraid I’d only be a disappointment. Arms like raw bread dough.” He tapped one slim bicep for emphasis.
“Yes, but you couldlearn. You could getstronger,” Rune insisted.
“Do you enjoy instructing?” Tessa asked, and Rune’s face lit up as his gaze shifted to her.
“Yes! Or, well…” He blushed. “I think I would. I haven’t exactly…um…”
“Rune’s the youngest of the lads in Aeres. For the most part,” Leif acquiesced when his brother shot him a glare. “The youngest of us and our friends. He was always the one being taught.” He patted him on top of the head and then laughed when Rune shoved his hand away.
“I’d be a great teacher.”
“Keep telling yourself that, little brother.”
Seventeen and twenty-two, Oliver reminded himself. He wondered if he’d ever been so young.
“Leif’s better with a sword,” Magnus chimed in, “but your brother’s got you beat with a bow.”
Rune grinned. “Ha!”
Leif pinched off a bit of bread and bounced it off his brother’s nose, who only laughed harder – and then picked up a much larger hunk of bread.
“My sister and I are very different,” Tessa spoke up, and both boys froze, and looked toward her. Bjorn and Birger as well. “Amelia is wildly fond of horses – she’s a better rider than most of the boys back home. She had her first pony before she could even walk properly.” She smiled, and the princes leaned forward, unconscious, enraptured. “She has a horse named Shadow – a stallion, if you can believe. He doesn’t even want the grooms to touch him, but he’s gentle as an old plow horse for Lia.”
Her expression dimmed. “She would love it here – going on an adventure to the Northern Waste. She’s the brave one, not me.”
The brothers absorbed what she’d said for a beat, and then Rune sucked in a breath and said, “That can’t be true.”
Tessa’s brows lifted.
“About her being brave and you not. You’re here, aren’t you? That’s brave.” He grinned. “And you’re willing to wed Uncle, and that’sreallybrave.”
“Rune,” Erik chastised.
The prince bit his lip, mock-sheepish, shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
Leif offered Tessa a wink, and, in a stage whisper, said, “Don’t worry. You won’t have to marry him.”
Erik sighed. “Boys.”
Both immediately sobered in response to his tone. In fact, the entire table fell quiet, all side conversations cutting off. Oliver felt a prickling up the back of his neck. Just before Erik said, in that same commanding voice, “Mr. Meacham. You’re here for an alliance, yes? Let’s discuss it.” The invitation sounded more like a threat.
Oliver met the king’s implacable gaze and fought to keep from shrinking down into his coat collar. He couldn’t be shy and uncertain here; had to be strong for Tessa’s sake.
He squared his shoulders, lifted his chin, and said, “We have come for an alliance, yes. I suppose there’s no sense trying to flatter you and pretend that Tessa was a great long-distance admirer of yours.”
He heard a low chuckle that he thought belonged to Birger, but didn’t break eye contact with the king, who stared at him in stony silence.
A hand touched his arm. “Ollie,” Tessa whispered.
