Page 25 of Master of Storms
“You will be part of theZiniclan’s embassy toZilittulands, in order to represent our alliance with theSadu. Theirking must think theSadu-Zinialliance is without fault. Travel to their court with my embassy and help retrieve the key, and I will end your mating contract.”
There was not a hint of trickery on the king’s face, but Marduk had spent the past three months playing cards with him. This was not the whole of the story—nor the whole of the plan.
“Just what are you up to?” he asked, because he’d spent the past three months getting absolutely destroyed at cards—and he was very good at cheating.
His brother always played several moves ahead. It was a rare hand that beat him.
“Making peace, brother.”
“Peace? We’ll kill each other before we even arrive at theZilittucourt.”
Rurik cut the connection.
You son of a wyrm. Marduk fought the instinct to say it out loud.
Because he wasn’t the one his brother was maneuvering right now.
“Upon the retrieval of the key, theSaduclan’s obligations to theZiniwill be met, and our alliance considered to be cemented. I will gladly allow you to sever ties with my brother at the end of this quest,” Rurik continued.
Solveig finally looked pleased. “I accept.”
* * *
The king exhaled loudlyas his inner court left his chambers, and slowly slipped his crown from his head. Its weight grew heavier each day.
His wife, Freyja, circled behind his chair, one hand resting on his shoulder. “Just what are you playing at?”
He slid his hand over his mate’s. Sometimes, it seemed as though his life would be far simpler were he to return to his days as the fiercedrekiwho slumbered in the volcano at Krafla.
But then he’d never have met her. Never have had a chance to love her. Never seen her grow to become a mortal queen of adrekicourt.
And he’d not have been able to hold his brother and sisters in his arms and see this court free of the corruption his mother had wielded.
A small price to pay to lead it.
“I hardly think the alliance with Harald will crumble should they end their mating,” Freyja muttered, “considering the letter that arrived from him ten days ago.”
Rurik leaned back and she cradled his head against her midriff. “True. Perhaps you can consider us two crafty olddrekiwho seek to meddle in the lives of our reckless brethren.”
Freyja tilted his chin back so their eyes met.
“You’re matchmaking?” she asked incredulously. “You think there’s even a chance that Marduk and Solveig could possibly surmount the gulf between them?”
He drew her into his lap. “You have to understand my brother, my love. Marduk has always been aloof and prone to look to the horizon. He chafed within this court and longed to ride free on the wind. And for the last ten years, he has flitted from one country to another, from one bed to another. I have never once seen him look at something and wish to linger. Not the way his gaze does when he looks at Solveig.”
“I think she’s going to kill him.”
“Mmm. Not according to Harald.”
“Youthought she was going to kill him,” she pointed out. “You were almost rude to her to begin with.”
Rurik unleashed a smile. “I thought about it all day, and Marduk was right. If she’d wanted him dead, then he would be dead. Did you notice how protective he became when I confronted her?”
“You were playing them then. What precisely did that letter say?”
“That it will take a charming prince to tame his daughter’s fierce spirit. Solveig has spent her entire life fighting to prove herself. Maledrekiwince when she glares at them and flee when she crooks her finger. Her pride knows no bounds, and the walls she guards her heart with are solid steel.” He nipped at her finger. “But the only time he has ever seen his daughter falter is when Marduk first appeared in his court ten years ago.”
“What happened ten years ago?”
