Page 73 of Storm of Fury
“He does indeed.”
“So what happened?" Tormund asked. “Did you promise Princess Solveig a dozen littledrekibabies and then renege? Did you break her heart—”
“She doesn’t have a heart,” Marduk snapped. “And no, I promised her nothing, nor would she demand it. We have never shared anything more than an antagonistic relationship.”
“I think he’s lying,” Tormund told Haakon in a singsongy voice.
“Drekicannot lie,” Haakon replied, “though you have to be careful what questions you ask them. They’re very good at skirting the truth.”
Marduk sank his head back against the stone wall and glared at the ceiling. "It's a long story."
Tormund shook his chains. "We don't seem to be going anywhere in a hurry. Unless you can spell these chains?"
"And these are always the best sort of stories," Haakon added.
The prince sighed. "I stayed with King Harald for a month when I first left Iceland. We're distantly related. His mother married my father's cousin. There are also political ties between our clans, and my mother sent me here on behalf of a treaty. I saw my chance to escape the clan. Or more particularly, my mother. So I took it.”
“Go on,” Tormund said, with a suggestive waggle of his brows.
“The daughters of King Harald are known far and wide in thedrekiworld for their beauty, intelligence, and fierceness.”
“I wouldn’t exactly have called her a beauty,” Tormund muttered. “She has a stare that could shrivel your privates.”
“I didn’t say each daughter owned all three traits,” Marduk countered. “Princess Aslaug, known for her beauty; Princess Siv, for her intelligence; and Solveig, the Black Wolf. The Storm With Teeth.”
Marduk sighed. "It's possible I composed a poem regarding the three of them the last time I was there. It was a rather rousing night with some of his warriors, and I cannot quite recallallthe details—except for the fact I never wanted to drink again after it—but rumor has it the poem caught on. Sweet Aslaug; Fair Siv and... Solveig the Fierce."
"Hardly an insult."
The prince cleared his throat. "Theremighthave been some mention of mating with Solveig being somewhat akin to sticking your cock in a bear trap. And to avoid such a fate at all costs."
Even Tormund winced.
"Hell, man," Haakon breathed. "No wonder she looks at you like she wants to use your guts for bowstring."
"I know." Marduk sighed. "Suffice it to say, relations are somewhat frosty between us. The poem caught on. I’ve heard it sung in numerous courts by now."
"You know"—Tormund shook his head—"I have done some incredibly stupid things in my time, but I do believe that beats anything I could even imagine doing.”
“I tried to apologize,” Marduk snapped. “She nearly put a knife in me. And so I decided it wasn’t worth staying at Harald’s court any longer.”
“What do you think she intends to do with us?” Haakon asked.
“The pair of you are human, and there are laws regarding what we may or may not do to humans,” Marduk replied. “Besides, you are married to Árdís of theZiniclan. Solveig will have no choice but to let the pair of you go, or risk a war with my clan.”
“You’re Árdís’s brother. Will Rurik not go to war if Solveig harms you?” Haakon’s eyes narrowed, and Tormund knew his cousin was starting to plot. The man had a wolf trap for a mind.
“It’s complicated. I’m not entirely certain this is sanctioned by her father, King Harald. If he was involved, then it would mean war, but if he is unaware of my imprisonment, then Solveig is acting alone and some will consider it a mere vendetta.” Marduk looked like he’d bitten into something sour. “Technically, she has cause.”
“We don’t appear to be held in adrekicourt.” Tormund looked around. “Unless Harald likes rats.”
Hehated rats. They were almost as despised as the undead.
And betrayal.
But I’m not thinking about that.
“We’re not at his court. I daresay Solveig’s dreamed up this hellhole solely with the intention of humbling me. Harald’s court is to the north.” Marduk tilted his head and frowned. “It’s near the village of Kya.”
