Page 28 of Soul of Fire

She didn’t have a real choice. It was my father’s condition for my uncle keeping a modicum of independence for the Reaches.

Something she and Eisa have in common, I suppose,he mused, his thoughts flitting to Idunn.But we shall treat our bond with more reverence than your father has.

I’d missed my mother’s reply while speaking with Baldur, but Eisa’s laugh drew me back to the conversation.

“Well, I knowthatlook.“ Arne prodded my foot with his boot as I blinked back into myself. “How’s that great lizard of yers doing? Enjoying his mate too, then?”

I rolled my eyes, but pulled Eisa closer despite myself. “Taking great umbrage at being called a lizard by anyone but me.”

Baldur rumbled disapprovingly, a clear reminder that he didn’t particularly care for it when I called him a lizard either.

“And he’s exceedingly pleased,” I added, looking down at my mate. “As am I.”

My mother’s smile would have been enough to warm the room without the blazing fire in the hearth, but Arne only gave a curt grunt. He was an avowed bachelor, and I doubted there was a man or woman on the continent who could convince him to settle down.

“Why are ye here then, lad?” His voice had turned serious as he studied me across the low table, still out of place from his moment of gallantry. “Finally going to overthrow yer old man and take yer rightful place on the throne?”

Eisa’s shock wavered over our mental bridge.What?

Just Arne’s ridiculous fantasy.I gave her a reassuring squeeze.I told you he was no friend of my father.

My mother’s face went pale as she glanced toward the door. “Arne, you shouldn’t say such things, even here.”

“I’ll say what I damn well please about yer philandering wretch of a husband.” He gave my mother a hard look, his eyes flickingto the long sleeves of her gown, which we both knew hid bruises. “How can I convince you to come back with me to Østrheim, Ingrid? Ye’d be safe from him there.”

My mother gave Arne a pointed look. “I’m fine, as you well know.”

Østrheim?Eisa asked, before I had a chance to ask what my mother meant.

Arne’s seat of power in the Reaches,I explained.It’s the easternmost settlement in the kingdom. Close to the Fae Realms.

The Fae Realms?Her eyes met mine, wide with alarm.He thinks that would be safer?

Their war is long over.I shrugged. Eisa knew little of our kingdom and its neighbors from her time in servitude, but clearly stories of the fae had travelled as far as her little tavern.But she won’t go. He’s been trying to convince her to leave since before Edvard was born.

“Yer doing it again.” Arne’s growl interrupted his argument with my mother as both turned to us. “Back to my question then, lad. Why are ye here? Usurpation? Is it war, then?”

“For fuck’s sake, Arne, I don’t intend to add patricide to my list of sins while I’m here.”

“Then what?” My uncle’s eyes narrowed at me as my mother’s brow furrowed with concern, and I hesitated. I knew neither would tell my father, and I trusted Arne with my life, but I wasn’t sure we should reveal our purpose to anyone outside our party.

What do we tell them?Eisa’s eyes were shadowed, Idunn’s blue light glowing faintly behind her pupils.

They could help us,I reasoned.But it’s a risk.

Eisa bit her lip.I trust you.

“Young love is insufferable.” Arne scowled, folding his arms over his chest. “One of ye had better explain before I expire of old age.” At a scowl from my mother, he shrugged apologetically and grumbled, “If ye please.”

I blew out a deep breath and glanced at the door. This room wasn’t a safe place to share anything I didn’t want the servants overhearing. “I’ll explain later. Do you know why my father called this Althing?”

Arne opened his mouth to speak, but Magda chose that moment to clatter back into the room. I thanked my instincts that I hadn’t launched into an explanation as she placed a tray laden with bacon, eggs, and fried bread on the low table. “Your breakfast, My Lord—“

“I’m not hungry, woman,” Arne grunted, looking wistfully at the breakfast as he rose from the chair with a long stretch. “Come on then, lad. I fancy a spar, and it looks like love has made ye soft around the edges.”

He gave me a pointed look, and I inwardly sighed at his lack of subtlety. I supposed I could talk just as well while sparring if I had to. But Eisa hadn’t eaten, and I knew Idunn was starving.

“We can eat first.” I accepted a plate from my mother and filled it with as much protein as I thought I could convince Eisa to eat. “Kjære.”