Page 86 of Storm of Fury
Marduk stiffened. “Does my brother inherit my mother’s debts?”
“He does,” the king said coldly. “Adrekithrone is never a mere gift. It comes with the burden of all its past liabilities. As does its royal family.”
Marduk wavered. “I would never do anything to destroy my clan’s honor, but—”
"The mating ceremony will take place tomorrow then." Harald waved an expansive hand. "I have three daughters. I am generous enough to offer you a choice.Again. Though this time I would urge you to wield caution in regards to your decision—and your words."
Solveig’s focus snapped sharply to her father.
"That is most kind of you," Marduk choked out.
“You shall receive our hospitality for the night.” King Harald bestowed a smile upon the court. “There shall be wine and dancing and celebration.”
And by the looks of it, no chance for the prospective bridegroom to sneak away.
“Fuck.” Tormund scrubbed at his beard. “This complicates matters.”
“Indeed.” An expression of irritation crossed his cousin’s face. “The gods spit in our faces.”
Tormund clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You’ll be back by Árdís’s side soon enough. I promise you.”
They just might have to kidnap a prince again.
And break out of adrekicourt.
And finally track down a missing princess.
Somehow.
The herald rapped his staff on the floors again to close the council.
“No mating,” the king said flatly. “No alliance. This will mean a promise broken by theZiniclan, and as such, war. You have until tomorrow to make your decision.” He snapped his fingers. “Guards. If you will escort ourguestto his rooms? I think he has much to think upon.”
* * *
“What now?”Tormund demanded, as Haakon shut the chamber door behind him.
They’d both retreated to an inn in town to consider their next move. Getting close to Marduk had been impossible, though they’d both seen the frustrated look thedrekiprince cast them.Get me out of here, it had said.
“I need to speak to Árdís,” Haakon replied, moving toward the fire in the grate. “This was unexpected and we need to know more about this old treaty King Harald speaks of. Perhaps there is a way for King Rurik to overturn the agreement.”
With the mating bond between Haakon and Árdís, they would be able to communicate on a private level.
But sitting here watching his cousin stare blankly into the fireplace felt a little intrusive, despite the fact he wouldn’t hear a word of what was said.
Tormund sighed and reached for his cloak. “I shall take a walk then, I think.”
“Where are you going?”
“I need to clear my head,” he told his cousin.
And perhaps visit a certain flame-headed Valkyrie.
No matter what he’d said, it wasn’t over between him and Bryn, though perhaps she’d had a point. He had created an ideal of her in his mind, and he’d been intent on pursuing that ideal. He’d been so focused upon that, that he hadn’t taken the chance to learn the real woman—with her guarded heart and scabbed-over scars.
Haakon looked at him sharply. But then he slowly nodded. “Just don’t drop your guard.”
Tormund grabbed his cloak and headed for the door. “One of us has to. And I don’t think it will be her.”
