As I sat observing them all, I was horrified to realize I was lonely. I missed Thorin’s stoic, stubborn presence and Talon’s ruthless energy. I missed the lively sounds of Ocracoke and the freedom I’d found there to be my own person.
I could tell my brothers the things I learned about people with my powers, but they never expected it of me. We’d taken the island, but I was happy to let Thorin lead, leaving me to quietly help from the shadows. If I felt the call of the sea, I could sail with Talon’s crew, but none of them relied on my being there. I had friends like Layla for when I wanted company, but I was also granted the bliss of solitude when I went to the far side of the island to escape the oppressive feel of people’s fears.
Sometimes, even being around my brothers was too much. They weren’t afraid of me like most people were, but they worried far too much about far too many people, between Talon’s position as captain and Thorin’s rule as king the island. How many times had I closed my eyes and wished for a break from my powers?
Now I had it. And I’d gladly go back to drowning in nightmares if it meant I could leave this suffocating kingdom.
Eleanor kept leaning forward, trying to catch Bastian’s eye around me. The chickenshit was equally determined to ignore her.
“I’ll give you two a moment to catch up,” I said, seeing an opportunity to put plans in motion.
When I stood, everyone at my table stood too, drawing the attention of the entire room.
Good.
I quickly made my way around the long tables towards the one where Father Benedict sat looking self-important. He practically leapt from his seat when I dropped a hand onto his shoulder. By then Bastian had caught up to me, looking alarmed.
I leaned down to Father Benedict’s ear, letting my lips brush against his lobe. “There’s a spiritual matter I’d discuss with you, Father. Meet me in the cathedral at moonrise. Come alone.”
His eyes bulged as he flinched away from me. He wanted to chastise me in front of the whole court, but he didn’t trust me not to publicly shame him for coming all over his holy robes. Any association with me was bad, so he took the predictable path and said, “As you wish, Princess.” He jerked his head to dismiss me.
I didn’t have to look at the king to know he’d seen the exchange.Everyonehad seen the exchange.
The rigid set of Bastian’s shoulders told me he was furious. A Viking would’ve let his rage erupt, allowing everyone to witness the fight we were about to have. Bastian put a gentle but firm hand under my elbow and escorted me somewhere private.
As soon as we were tucked into an enclave outside the Great Hall, his calm started to fracture.
“What was that?” His tone was quiet but tight.
“I have things to discuss with the good priest.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “And you don’t think my father is going to become suspicious we didn’t consummate the marriage if you keep acting like that?”
“No, but he might if you say it aloud in front of your mistress again…”
Bastian had been too worked up to notice Eleanor approaching. He whipped around to face her, then turned awkward, looking between us like he’d been caught doing something bad.
Eleanor surprised me by saying, “Do you remember the faces of all the people you’ve killed, Sigrid Thorvald?”
Every last one. They’re like ghosts lingering in my mind, appearing anytime I forget to keep them at bay.
“How could I possibly remember them all? And why would I bother?”
She jerked back. “Because they mattered! My brother mattered!”
So did mine, cunt.
Bastian made a move to gently escort Eleanor back to the hall.
“Was he on Ocracoke?” I asked, and she pushed around Bastian to scowl at me. If he was one of the bastards who’d killed Axel, she’d join him in Hel.
“No. Long before Ocracoke, he was sent to the Viking court as an emissary with an offer of peace. Your king charged him as a spy and sent him back in pieces. You were the one who tortured him!”
I remembered the soldier she was talking about, a young man with huge brown eyes just like hers.
He’d been innocent, so I’d given him a swift end, the only mercy within my power at the time. If I’d spared him, my father would’ve executed him some other way. I’d only been a teen, not yet the warrior I became and still afraid of my own powers. If he’d been sent back in pieces, it hadn’t been my doing.
“I don’t remember such an execution,” I said, coldly looking away. These people’s feelings couldn’t be my concern, or I’d turninto fucking Bastian the Soft, and then Axel would suffer for eternity.
