Page 96 of Faeling
They entered the king’s quarters to find Brynhíl awaiting them. The older orcess smiled fondly, hurrying to take Ravenna by the shoulders for inspection. She tutted over the almost-healed bruises and scrapes.
Gaze flicking over Ravenna’s head, Bryn scolded, “You were meant to take care of her.”
Ravenna looked over her shoulder to see Vallek walking through the threshold, Eydis and Hilde close behind.
Rather than a quip or imperious promise in answer, Vallek’s face fell with shame. “I know. It won’t happen again.”
“I hope you killed whoever did this.”
“Yes.”
“Good boy.” Patting Ravenna’s unhurt cheek, Bryn said, “Now, tell me all about why it looks like you broke a fall with your face.”
After changing out of their dusty clothes, Ravenna and Vallek recounted the tale as crates of his things were brought back and unpacked. A light meal of breads, cheeses, salted meat, and grapes and apricots was brought up from the kitchens, the six of them gathering in the comfortable den to talk.
“We’ll need to have the announcement soon. Three days at the maximum,” said Eydis as she contemplated an apricot. “I have the utmost faith that your people will try to keep it quiet. However, back from an exciting journey, some won’t be able to resist spreading news.”
“It needs to be formal, official,” said Vallek. “The whole Balmirran court and all the representatives gathered to hear.”
“We have to expect dissent—possibly from the other chieftains,” said Eydis.
“The whole garrison can be deployed throughout the city to manage any riots,” added Asta.
The fruit and cheese already in Ravenna’s stomach churned ominously. She didn’t think her unease showed on her face, but when she met Hilde’s gaze, the orcess leaned forward, clapping her hands together.
“Yes, yes, but most importantly,the gown.” Pointing at Ravenna, she waggled her brows as she said, “You’re mine for a few days, my queen.”
“That sounds ominous,” Ravenna teased, but she was grateful for the distraction.
Hilde waved her hand in an unconcerned gesture. “The gown will be the single most important statement you can make. You’ll enter the basilica—first they’ll see a fae, and then the gown.”
“Yourgown,” Eydis teased.
“Yes, my gown.” A greedy gleam in her eye, she told Ravenna, “I’ll come back first thing tomorrow with some fabrics.”
Ravenna forced a smile. The thought of a formal gown, one to reveal her to all of Balmirra, didn’t fill her with enthusiasm—at least not as much as it did Hilde. Still, it would serve as a decent distraction. Keeping her hands busy would hopefully keep her mind from wandering. Toward those possible riots.
Taking Vallek’s hand, she asked, “Are we sure such a big event is wise? Might a more controlled release not be wiser?”
“Unfortunately, we’re beyond that,” said Eydis. “Over a hundred kin who know about your true identity are now loose. Some will keep their promise. Others will no doubt become loose-lipped. To get as ahead of it as we can, I think we do this inone fell swoop.”
Scowling at her mate, Hilde squeezed Eydis’s thigh. “What Eydis means to say is, you’re too wonderful a secret to hide.”
Eydis and Ravenna both pulled a face as Vallek and Asta snickered.
Hiding her amusement more diplomatically behind her hand, Bryn reassured them, “The kin are loyal. They may be shocked by this, but they’ll take it in stride. This isn’t the first mating between an orc and otherly—even a fae.”
“No, but it’ll be the first chieftain, the first king,” said Eydis.
“I hope for their loyalty, but we’ll watch for those who may feel as Ulrich did,” Vallek said. Wrapping his arm around Ravenna to tuck her tightly to his side, he told Asta, “I want her own guards assigned to her. Have them sent by morning.”
“I’ll choose them myself,” Asta agreed.
Breaking another apricot in two and giving half to Hilde, Eydis said, “Three days will mean some attend the announcement already suspecting something.”
“There are plenty already talking about the king’s human soothsayer,” Bryn said.
Vallek nodded. “Yes. So this event will set our narrative.”
