Page 24 of Master of Storms
“TheZilittuwho aren’t supposed to have such an item in their possession and are probably quite intent on maintaining the secrecy of its existence?” Marduk drawled, reaching for a grape from the platter on the table. “TheZilittuwho birthed Mother and our evil uncle Stellan into the world? TheZilittuwho hide within their cloaking mists and pretend—when a traveler goes missing within their lands—that they’ve never seen or heard of them? An excellent idea, brother. I donotvolunteer.”
But he could see a plan was already forming in Rurik’s head. “TheZilittuare our cousins by our mother’s line. We have long held a… truce with them. And with Árdís and Ishtar wielding Chaos—with no means to learn how to control their powers—we have cause to send an emissary.”
“They’re still not going to give you their most important relic.”
“I wasn’t planning on asking for it,” Rurik said.
Goddess’s Mercy. “You want tostealit?”
Staid, upright Rurik?
“If there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is this: theZilittugive nothing away freely. With the key, we can close the portal for good. And I prefer to think of it in terms of borrowing it.”
“You’re talking about war,” he pointed out.
“If it comes to it, yes. But I would rather fight theZilittuthan an entire army of elves.”
Árdís paled. “You’re sending me and Ishtar to theZilittucourt to steal the key?”
The king smiled. “A formal diplomatic party that comprises of the two of you”—his eyes came to rest, unerringly, on Marduk— “and my beloved brother. We haven’t congratulated the newZilittuking on his mating lines yet, either.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Marduk demanded. “TheZilittucan’t be trusted.”
“We’ve always known that,” Rurik replied. And then he smiled at Solveig. “Which is why you will be joining them. Your ties to your father shall be a statement that both clans are watching them. They won’t dare try anything underhanded.”
“Absolutely not,” Solveig replied calmly. “My part in this is done. I need to return to my father and rouse my warband. War is coming—”
“And the key to winning such a war is inZilittuhands,” Rurik replied.
Marduk slung his arm over the back of his chair. Here came the fun part of the afternoon. Rock meet stone.
“You’re not my king, so the answer is no,” Solveig said. “And I’m no thief.”
She looked perfectly at ease, as if staring downdrekikings was something she did for sheer enjoyment.
“Even if I have something you want?” Rurik murmured.
“I’m not interested in gold or treasure or—”
“I must havesomethingyou want,” Rurik countered, his eyes flaring bright gold. “A… peaceful dissolution to a certain agreement between courts, perhaps?”
Solveig turned to stone.
But Marduk sat forward, sending a psychic link toward his brother. “I spent hours arguing for dissolution of our mating contract. You denied me every time.”
Rurik didn’t even look in his direction. “Such dissolution was not to the benefit of the court. Now, it is.”
“To end such an arrangement means the end of this alliance between our clans,” Rurik said out loud. “And with the threat of World’s End and this sudden incursion by thealfar, I think this is a time for theSaduandZiniclans to hold strongly. But once the matter is dealt with—”
“I will not suffer this arrangement a second longer than I must,” Solveig growled.
“Nor would I insist this mating stand any longer than needs must. But an agreement must be reached. The alliance must stand until this elvish threat is handled.”
Solveig idly tapped her long nails on the table. “What do you suggest?”
“Marduk must make amends,” Rurik said, which made Marduk look at him sharply. “He will formally apologize to theSaduon the agreement that you will not seek to cause him harm whilst you are under my aegis.”
Her eyes turned thoughtful.
