Page 84 of Storm of Fury
“And she helped us today,” Tormund replied. “Without her, I would never have gotten close to the king.”
And by her own tongue, she’d admitted that Solveig had promised her the world in exchange for delivery of Marduk. Bryn didn’t have her confession yet—to go against the princess thusly was to risk the very thing she longed for the most.
He had to believe it meant something.
Haakon suddenly grabbed his arm.
Below them the guards were stirring, all of them looking to the skies where a russet- coloreddrekicircled. There was nothing about its size or shape that indicated seniority, but the guards lowered their weapons as it landed, and several of them exchanged glances.
“I think the king has sent his messenger.” Tormund forced a smile, because it was the only way to hide his shattered heart. “This should be fun.”
“You have an odd sense of amusement.” Haakon pushed to his feet. “Let’s return to town. I need a hot meal and a good night’s sleep before we escort our precious prince safely home.”
“You think tomorrow is going to go that easily?”
Haakon sighed. “No. But if I say it loudly enough, perhaps one of the gods will be listening.”
Sixteen
The herald rappedhis staff on the floor of the audience chamber as hundreds ofdrekigathered to hear the king’s proclamation. “Silence!”
Tormund leaned his back against the wall, watching from the sidelines even though there was no sign of Bryn. He hadn’t dared hope, but now his heart fluttered like a dying moth.
She hadn’t come.
King Harald sank onto his massive throne, his dark eyes glittering as he surveyed the gathering. Two gorgeous women followed him to the throne and stood to each side of it, resting their hands on his shoulders.
There were three daughters, Tormund vaguely recalled hearing, though they bore no resemblance to their sister, the war marshal.
Beautiful. Intelligent. And fierce.
He could see it now. The blonde wore a radiant expression and an extravagant green gown that set off her beauty. She knew it too, her every movement designed to showcase her flawless figure.
The redhead seemed more composed, though she kept glancing toward the far door as though she expected a commotion at any second. Warier than her sister. Trying to read the room and perhaps her father too, as she glanced down at him.
And while his gaze lingered on her hair, it was the color of rust—not the bright orange flames that made his heart yearn.
“It seems there has been an interloper in our territory,” King Harald called, reclining at ease. “Bring forth the prince.”
Movement stirred.
Whispers filled the court. There were far too manydrekiin this chamber to fight their way free. The only hope they had was this…. That the king would grant Marduk mercy.
The crowd began to part as someone strode through them.
And then Marduk appeared, clad in a gold coat with a straight collar and a pair of brown leather trousers. Someone had set a thin gold crown of leaves in his tousled hair, and more than onedrekiwoman glanced toward him as if wondering what he looked like beneath the clothes.
Marduk knelt before the king. “King Harald. TheZiniclan thanks you for your warm welcome and long friendship.”
The king’s watchful eyes glinted between thin eyelids. “TheSaduclan offers—”
The main doors to the audience chamber slammed open with a bang.
The audience stirred.
Solveig entered the court, her long raven-dark hair gathered loosely into a thong and a hand resting on the hilt of the sword sheathed at her hip. Every inch of her was clad in black leather that rippled like the hide of adreki’scoat, and plates gilded in silver guarded her shoulders. A black cloak dripped to the floor, swirling around her ankles like a set of wings.
“That looks like one hundred and fifty pounds of pure arrogance, prepared to smite any and all who stand before her,” Tormund muttered.
