Page 26 of Master of Storms
“I don’t know.” It was the one flaw to his plan. “I was in exile, and Árdís only knows that Marduk was sent to make a formal alliance with theSadu, except he fled and was never seen again. And there was something about a song that spoke of a heartless princess, and for nodrekimaleto seek to surmount such a… wench for fear he’d lose those parts most precious to him.”
Freyja’s eyes narrowed. “I thinkIwant to punch him in the nose.”
“Mmm.” His hand slid down to the curve of her hip. “My brother is many things, but loose with his tongue? I think not. Marduk could charm the birds from the sky if he wished it. But instead he mocked one of the princesses he was meant to choose as a mate. That is not my brother, my little mouse. Something riled him—something with wickedly dark eyes and an unsmiling mouth, if I have any sense to my name.”
“They look like two cats locked in a barn together.”
He laughed. “I love your farmyard analogies.”
“Seriously, Rurik.” Freyja laced her arms around his neck. “I’ve seen cats fighting. One of them is going to return with a missing ear, and the other will be limping. This could end badly, especially if you’re sending them into a dangerous court.”
He lifted his face until their lips were almost touching. “Would you care to bet on that?”
She breathed him in, tilting her face so he could nip at her chin. “Not when you’re playing games. But do remember, my love…, you’re playing with your brother’s fate. He may not be grateful to you for it.”
A shadow fell over his heart. “Is he ever grateful for any of it?”
Freyja paused. And then she kissed his lips. “Patience. Your mother’s ghost haunts you all in different ways. And Marduk spent many years thinking you responsible for the death of your father. He was there when it happened, Rurik. And though you’ve forgiven Sirius for his role in the king’s death, I don’t think Marduk has. Not entirely. He still sees your father’s body. As do many others of the court. You knew when you pardoned Sirius, it was never going to be easy.”
He sighed. “Healing what my mother has done to this court never is. I’m just lucky I’ve got you by my side.”
“Barn analogies and all?” she teased.
This time, his smile was genuine. “Barn analogies and all. What would I do without you?”
5
Ten years ago
“One would thinkyou were avoiding me,” called a voice.
Solveig stilled, then continued running her finger along the edge of her rapier. Though manydrekimales preferred a long sword, or a heavier broadsword, she liked cold Flemish steel.
With it, she was lightning and murder.
Turning around, she tried to ignore the flutter of wings within her chest as Prince Marduk strolled onto the tower courtyard. Herdrekihissed at the intruder, but she forced herself to be polite. Or as polite as she could possibly be. “One would think you were wise.”
Marduk laughed. “Ah, something I’ve never been accused of.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
But she said it with a smile, and there was a moment where he stared at her as if trying to work his way through the comment and her sincerity. It was the sweetest insult she’d ever delivered, and even she might have been distracted by her dulcet tones.
Excellent. He was a fool. A blond, ridiculously handsome fool.
“Let me guess?” she mused. “You’ve walked the gardens with Aslaug. Dined with Siv. And now you’re here to flatter me. I can save you the breath. We can both pretend you’ve done your duty and batted those pretty eyelashes at me. And then we can go about our day peacefully.”
“Pretty eyelashes?”
Had he not heard what she’d said? “I’m not interested in being courted. Go bother someone else. Is that too difficult to understand?”
Silence.
Marduk slowly cocked his head on an angle. “Perhaps I’m merely curious as to what I’ve done that you find so offensive.”
“I find this entire affair offensive,” she said.
“Ah, so it’s not merely me? It’s the situation.”
