Page 183 of Master of Storms
“Definitely later.”
And then he surged to his feet and captured her in his arms, kissing her in front of her entire court.
Laughter rang out. Clapping. She let herself unfreeze and twined her arms around his neck, kissing him back.
Someone cleared their throat behind her.
Goddess.She broke from the kiss, and this time her cheeks truly were burning.
“In front of my father?”
Marduk laughed. “He might have to get used to it. And he did send us down this path together, though I believe he too has something to say to you.”
He pushed her toward her father.
“Daughter,” Harald smiled his sneaky smile at her—the one she knew so well—as he held his arms out for her.
She stepped into them, and closed her eyes as he hugged her close. “Did you plan this?”
A laugh rumbled through him. “The precise picture of his humbling? No. Though I’ll admit it makes good theatre.” He kissed her forehead. “I may have had a little to do with pushing the two of you together. Though it took a rather rash and undignified offer of one of three daughters, he kept choosing the right one.”
Meddling bloody fathers. It had never made sense for him to have offered all three of them. He would never have humbled her like that, unless…. “How did you even know that he and I were each other’s true flames?”
Sadness swept through his eyes. “Your mother told me.”
“What?”
“Your mother is one with the goddess now. But once a year she comes to me in my dreams. I think the goddess realized the mistake she made, and offers me a single night with my heart as repayment. Your mother watches over you, Solveig. All of you girls. And she is so incredibly proud of the woman you’ve become. She blessed this match, even when I had my doubts. She said you needed someone who would put a smile on your lips, after what you had suffered. She said a true queen needs a mate who will submit to her rule, and fight for her power without seeking to take it from her.”
A single tear slid down her cheeks. “She watches over us?”
“Always.” He squeezed her harder. “She wanted you to know she never intended for you to suffer alone and lock your heart away. The goddess’s blessing can be both curse and gift—but if it is a gift, then you must accept it.”
“I miss her.”
Harald squeezed her shoulder, his own eyes suspiciously gleaming. “Go. Go and see to your mate. I don’t believe he’s finished with you yet.”
Solveig turned, her tears softening her vision of the court until all she could see was a soft blur of gold and color.
But among it all stood one male.
Tall, handsome, blond, his hand held out for her to accept. And wearing some kind of bloody red coat with golden buttons, as if he’d stepped directly from a fairy tale.
“I hate that coat,” she said, as she took his hand.
“You can remove it whenever you like. Now come. I asked for there to be dinner and dancing,” Marduk said. “Because some foolish prince ran out on you last time, and he knows you missed the chance to celebrate your mating ceremony.”
“I hate dancing.”
“That’s because you haven’t danced with me.” His eyes twinkled. “Just think of it as foreplay—without the sword. But first, why don’t we go get you dressed for your ball?” His gaze slid down her. “You need your ‘evil queen’ boots.”
“Evil queen boots?”
“The ones that lace to your thighs. The ones that look like you could crush the souls of an advancing army beneath them. The ones you wore the first time we met.”
“Whoever said I kept them?”
“Please tell me you kept them. They featured in a great many dreams of mine over the years.”
