Page 64 of The Crown of the Last Fae Queen
Heat flashed through her body and she ripped her gaze away from him, her body rippling with unexpected giddiness. She should have felt horrified that he was so near, but she couldn’thelp the excitement that coursed through her. But that only lasted a split second before terror seized her so tightly that she wanted to vomit all over her plate. Vidar and Rakel knew his face, and they were all in the same room. All it would take is one small slip-up, and they would kill him.
“My specialty has always been in flight,” Freyja said, frowning as she moved the vegetables around on her plate. “And even though I love to fly, I think it will only limit our soldiers if there was a unit solely focused on aerial attacks. They will feel like they must use their wings to attack. Most of our magic is connected with earth, and being so high up in the sky truly does limit our abilities.”
“There have been successful aerial units in the past,” Floki chimed in. “But they were always smaller units.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I think aerial attacks are very effective when used appropriately, but I don’t think having a whole unit dedicated to it is necessary,” Freyja continued.
Kolfinna barely listened to their hypothetical conversation—which could have proved useful, she vaguely thought—as she cast a surreptitious glance at Blár again. He was no longer watching her, but staring at the wall like the other guards.
“There are soldiers who specialize in earth magic, and others who specialize in nature,” Agnarr said with a shrug. “It is another aspect of our power, so I don’t believe it hurts us in any way to have some that specialize in flight.”
“I prefer well-rounded soldiers,” Freyja said with an exasperated sigh. “Can you imagine if we had a unit for every special skill we all have? A unit whose specialty is running very fast. Another whose specialty is launching earth magic. Another who can … I don’t even know!”
Kolfinna dipped her bread into the last dregs of the stew and swallowed it down without tasting much of it. She sipped on herwater slowly, her mind racing and her heart thumping in her chest to a wild tune.
“Why are you eating so little?” Agnarr asked Freyja once Floki, Rakel, and Vidar began a separate conversation about the historical usage of flight-based attacks during the elven invasion—a topic that normally would have interested Kolfinna, since she knew nothing of that history.
Freyja sighed over her bed of lettuce and tomatoes. “I have no appetite at the moment, and most of the food doesn’t sit well with me.”
“What do you mean?” Angarr gave her a bemused smile. “Are you bloated, or something? Or perhaps gassy?”
Two splotches of red bloomed on her cheeks. “Agnarr!”
“I’m jesting,” he murmured with a low chuckle.
Kolfinna watched the both of them with renewed interest; did he not realize she was with child? She had heard it was very common for women to have food aversions during pregnancy, particularly toward meat. It would explain why she was only eating leafy vegetables. Maybe the starchier foods, like the potatoes, did cause her stomach discomfort.
Nobody else seemed to notice it, but Agnarr placed a gentle hand on Freyja’s, his fingers brushing over her knuckles. His voice was low, concerned. “Do you wish for me to find blander foods for you? Perhaps a simple soup or honeyed tea?”
A blush stained her cheeks. “I am well.”
“I’m not convinced.”
“Perhaps later, then,” she said, looking up to stare into his eyes.
Kolfinna ripped her attention away from them, suddenly embarrassed on their behalf. How did nobody else notice that they clearly held feelings for each other? Maybe it was overpowered by their heated arguments or their barbed wordstoward each other. Or maybe she only noticed because she had witnessed their passion in the hallway.
She could feel Blár’s gaze on her again, but she didn’t look over at him this time. Not when Vidar could have been watching. She didn’t want to compromise Blár’s position.
“I would like to retire in my room for the night,” Kolfinna said, folding her hands on her lap. “I’m still recovering and I’m rather tired.”
Vidar barely paid her any attention, but he nodded in her direction. “You are dismissed.”
She wanted to spring to her feet and sprint out of the room, but she didn’t want to draw his notice so she rose up slowly, nodded and bid the rest of the generals good night, and then headed to the door. Her guards filed behind her as she exited the dining hall. An excited shiver ran down her spine.
She needed to find a way to be alone with Blár.
19
NINETEEN – KOLFINNA
On the wayback to her room, Kolfinna tried to memorize every step, every turn in the corridor, the familiar paintings or décor lining the walls and floors, but she could barely focus on any of it, not when she could feel Blár’s stare. Her skin tingled with heat and she had to suppress the urge to look over her shoulder at him. She had so many questions. How had he acquired such a position without anyone noticing? Did Gunnar have a hand in this? What were their next steps? All of it was eclipsed by her desire to see him, though, to talk to him, totouchhim.
So when she entered her antechambers, bid Astrid good night as she left, she sat on her velvet couch and waited. Surely Blár would sneak in here and talk to her. Surely he had to be feeling the same need as he did. She nearly burned on the spot, her hands clammy and trembling, her body quivering with anticipation and coiled anxieties.
She didn’t have to wait long.
Blár entered the room and locked the door behind him, his attention never straying from hers. She rose up to her feet, watching the way he drank in her image. His eyes trailed up her body, lingering on her curves, before landing on her face. She didthe same and examined him from head to toe. The dark leathers hugged his muscular frame, stretching over his broad shoulders, the muscles on his chest and arms, and made him appear more fierce, more intimidating. His dark hair was slicked back to bring more attention to his eyes, which were nearly dark with desire, the deep blue flashing with intent.
