Page 18 of Master of Storms
“Zorja Ravenspire?” Her voice rose several octaves. “The queen of the Forbidden Court? You allowed a foreign queen into my territories without telling me?”
“Your territories? Or your father’s?”
Solveig paced, herdrekilashing its inner tail. “I am my father’s heir. They will be mine one day. And you didn’t answer my question.”
“Yes,” he snarled. “You weren’t warned.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ve already threatened to killme,” he pointed out sharply. “What would you have done if you were told my twin sister had the ability to form a portal between the stars and open gateways to any of the nine worlds?” He laughed bitterly. “You said it yourself. You would remove the threat.”
Solveig fell into stillness.
And then she considered him.
“You misunderstand me,” she said coldly. “I am the daughter of Harald the Shrewd. I was raised on politics. My father has always cautioned for a steady head and a careful hand. You say your sister owns the ability to create such portals? That’s a powerful weapon in the wrong hands. In the right hands, it’s a gift. TheZilittuclan to the north have far too many Chaos-wielders within their clan. It’s bred into their bloodlines. TheSaduhave none. That’s why we formed an alliance with your family’s clan in the first place. That’s why my father wanted you bred to me or one of my sisters. We can’t fight theZilittuand their magic. But Chaos magic runs in your bloodlines and maybe, if we had Chaos-wielders inourcourt, we wouldn’t have to.”
Marduk’s shoulders squared, and any sense of good humor fell away from him. “Nobody is going to hurt my sister or use her for their own cause. Ishtar’s not a weapon. She’s not agiftto be used. She is a young female formed of flesh and blood who has never had a chance to live her own life. And I won’t letanyonemanipulate her into a corner.”
She’d never seen him like this.
Gone was the rakish charmer.
Gone was the flirtatious prince who didn’t give a damn about anything.
In his place was a furious maledrekiwho was bound to protect what he considered to be his.
She’d never have believed it possible.
“And here I thought you were immune to your overprotective male urges,” she drawled.
He bared his teeth at her. “Not immune, no. Just selective in whom I apply them to.”
She glared at him.
He glared back.
Stalemate.
Solveig breathed through her anger. Ultimately, it was unimportant. What mattered was that theSaduwere unaware of the danger that was presented to them from Álfheimr. Their flanks were guarded by a foreign queen who had a reputation for ruthlessness. TheZilittuwere still poised at their throat.
And any form of alliance between theSaduand theZinirelied upon the mating bond between her and Marduk.
This was a disaster.
And despite her all-consuming rage—that little smoldering ember deep inside her—she couldn’t afford to give into her anger right now.
“I can’t kill you,” she said out loud.
His eyebrows shot up. “Well, that’s a relief.”
“Not right now.” Solveig tapped her lips. “Your sister can open a portal to Álfheimr, and it’s clear that something must have slipped through. Zorja’s watchers must not have been watching closely enough.”
“Or they’re dead.”
“Or they’re dead.” She crossed to the fire and warmed her hands, her mind a million miles away. “You say this Ishtar locked the gates. Why did she open them in the first place?”
Marduk looked troubled. “She said the voice in the moon told her to do so, but she claimed his name was Tyndyr.”
