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“How did…” Ayda trailed off. The full impact of what had happened was starting to hit her. “I don't know how I got rid of them. Was it me?”
“It was you,” Hùisdean supplied. “They listened to you. You commanded them to leave.”
“How did you think to do that?” Elion gently prodded. Ayda could tell he was eager for answers but tried not to push her.
“I don't know.” Ayda shrugged, fisting her hands on the bed sheets. “There was a strange magic that filled me. It was like it took over my mind, but it wasn't malicious. I didn't know if it would work, but I was shouting at them.”
Imra’s mouth dropped open. “This magic… Did it feel like winter? Like ice and snow?”
Ayda sat up straighter. “Yes!” she exclaimed. “I thought there would be a blizzard in the great hall. It left me as soon as it came though. I don't think I could do it again. Do you know what it was?”
The four royal family members shared a look, some sort of intense knowing and understanding on their faces. Ayda started to feel sick.
“It's an old magic,” Hùisdean answered her, his voice dropping low. “It's something left over from the Norse gods,” he trailed off, and no one spoke. The tension in the room heightened, and Ayda struggled to understand the gravity of what Hùisdean was saying.
“The… The Norse gods?” Ayda breathed, barely able to repeat the word. “That doesn't make any sense. My father is Bengali, and my mother is Scottish. All of my powers revolve around earth magic.”
“Everyone's heritage is ancient. It is long and stretches back to the dawn of life.” Elion was somber, the power in his words practically vibrating throughout the room. “Your mother's heritage is Scottish, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have Norse ancestors in your bloodline too. The magic could still be dormant.”
Wyn nodded, stroking his hand over his stubble. “Not to mention, who knows who the gods choose? That's the real wild card for you.”
Ayda took a deep breath, pushing her hair off her face. She pinched the bridge of her nose. Dealing with her parents’ expectations and attempting to live up to her mother’s reputation was enough, but this? A lost bloodline with Norse magic?
“Am I in danger?” Ayda hated how small her voice sounded. Hùisdean made a displeased noise and placed his hand on Ayda's knee. The warmth of his palm went straight through the heavy quilt and made Ayda shiver.
“No, absolutely not.” Hùisdean was resolute. “It's still magic, Ayda.” His voice got quieter, as though it was only meant for her. “It's another magic puzzle.” He smiled softly. “If anyone can figure it out, it's you.”
Ayda got hot all over. She fought against a rising blush on her cheeks, acutely aware of Hùisdean's mother, father, and brother at the foot of the bed.
“Flattery again? It will get you nowhere, prince.” Ayda was less anxious and more comfortable with Hùisdean's steady presence next to her, something that she wouldn't have anticipated twenty-four hours ago.
She toughened her resolve and looked at the kind faces of the royal family in the room. Ayda sighed heavily, and she stared at Hùisdean.
“We can't stay here, Hùisdean.” Ayda shook her head slowly. “You know that. If they listen to me, if it's this magic, what if it attracts them?”
Imra interjected, “They listen to you, Ayda. If anything, we're safer if you stay here.”
“They listened to me one time,” Ayda rectified. “I don't know if it will happen again. I don't know how to harness this new magic. I don't even know if I possess it or if it was a one-time thing. I don't feel comfortable staying in the very center of your world. I saw how no one can ward in. You and your ancestors have done an incredible job ensuring Carenlume stays secure. I'm an unknown. An unknown is a threat.” Ayda caught her breath, suddenly quieting down when she realized she had started ranting at the king and queen.
Elion smiled politely. “You speak like a hardened advisor. There's wisdom in you beyond your years.”
It's just a crippling fear of not being good enough or being unable to defend your castle from ruin, but sure, we can go with that. Ayda's mind contributed unhelpfully.
“We'll go see Ásví.” Hùisdean stood up off the bed and straightened his tunic. “She's been working on this puzzle too, and perhaps she knows more about what happened with Ayda and the draugr.”
“Who's Ásví?” Ayda leaned forward.
Wyn started laughing. “Oh, you're going to have fun meeting her.” The rest of his family glared at Wyn. “What?” He held his hands up. “You can't tell me that I'm wrong.”
Elion rolled his eyes. “Ásví is rightfully wary of visitors, but she's the smartest of us all, especially when it comes to magic.”
“I love that for her.” Ayda grimaced. “But who is she?”
“She's my aunt,” Hùisdean said. He reached across the bed and grabbed Ayda’s hand. “She's technically still my father's grand vizier. If anyone knows what's going on, it will be her.”
“Why technically?” Ayda arched an eyebrow but didn't move away from Hùisdean's comforting touch.
“She told us all to ‘fuck a toad’ a couple years back and decided to go live in seclusion.” Imra shrugged as if this was not remotely concerning. “Apparently, we were getting in the way of some of her…grander experiments.”
