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“She said you were with her, even after you came for me,” I told her and felt my throat tighten. I knew she wasn’t mine then, but the idea that she was with someone else felt like it could crush my chest.
“Percy,” she said, and I lifted my head to look at her. “From the day I took you, there has been no other. I did try. You were invading my every thought, my every sense. I thought I could push you out. But I couldn’t. Something in me recoiled violently at having any other. The rejection stung her far worse, apparently, than I had known.” I didn’t know how to respond. Part of me ached, but I knew that I had had no claim over her, not then, not at first. “You are all I want,” she told me, running her knuckles along my jaw. “There have been no others and there will be no others. Do you trust me, little pet?”
“I trust you,” I told her. Selene had not lied to me. She had been terribly truthful and the phantom weight that had threatened to crush me vanished.
27. Final Words
Selene Borealis
I sat with Father in the council room; we were alone.
“How is the girl?” he asked me, when he took his seat.
“It’s been a few days. She is healing well. Lady Sana said today, after changing her dressing, that she should be fully recovered soon. Unfortunately, a scar is unavoidable, but she assures the healer that first treated her did an excellent job and that scarring will be minimal,” I answered.
“Good,” he said. “I’m pleased to hear she is recovering.”
“Has Lord Halkias provided an update from Arvid?” I asked, getting to the point of our meeting.
“Yes. Valen was taken prisoner as he described. Duke Halvorsen has asked that his son be released in exchange for Valen. I have refused. What would you have done with him?” he asked me regarding Oskar.
“A public execution. We need to strike fear into those that would be our enemies,” I answered.
“And your preferred method?”
“Something bloody. I want to hear him scream - which rules out decapitation. And it shouldn’t be over too quickly; an audience deserves a show. When was the last public execution?” I asked him.
“Not in my lifetime. I believe your grandfather hung a would-be assassin.”
“The accounts of quartering I’ve read have always spiked my bloodlust.” Quartering was perhaps the most prolonged and painful form of public execution. The criminal was strung out on a board, arms and legs tied wide apart and the executioner took their time gutting the animal alive. The body was then quartered, arms, legs, torso, and head separated and sent to each corner of the kingdom in warning.
“Would you be the executioner?” he asked. I shook my head sadly.
“I wish to keep such sights away from my love. She is delicate,” I explained. Mostly, I did not trust that Percy would be able to stomach knowing what had become of Oskar, if she knew that I had carried out the sentence.
“She will undoubtedly learn of what is to become of Oskar Halvorsen.”
“Yes, but she will not witness it.”
“Very well. Arrangements will be made. This will be the first execution to be televised. Something for the history books,” he said absentmindedly and began to write in the small leatherbound notebook he produced from his shirt pocket.
“I wish to inherit the titles and land of House Ardens,” I told him. He lifted his head to look at me.
“You are an acceptable heir, through your mother, but it is courtesy for one who already holds a higher title to allow a lower noble the ascension,” he said.
“I wish to forego courtesy. I am next in line of succession to House Ardens. We must gain control of the northwest. I will not put our future in unknown hands, hands that may remain loyal to Valen and hold a grudge. No - House Ardens will not fall to some distant cousin.” I looked to my father, hopeful that he would agree. When he began to nod his head, I began to set up my next request. It was always easier to receive a second yes, once one had already been given. “What of House Vouna?” I asked.
“We have reports of some lower ranking members of Clan Vouna having fled. Lady and Lord Vouna and their direct heirs have made a stronghold of Castle Vouna. I’m inclined to burn it to the ground. Creel has been excitedly listing possible explosive uses. He loves any excuse to blow something up.” I smiled at the mention of General Creel and how he found joy in war.
“I want House Vouna too,” I told him. He stilled his pen and looked to me seriously.
“Why?” he asked.
“I believe House Vouna should be dealt with as we dealt with House Auster. Strip all titles and even the name Vouna away. A small house of little significance but for their aspirations. They would easily be encompassed into House Ardens,” I explained.
Father held my eyes as if searching for another motive. “Why do I get the feeling you are up to something?” he asked.
“I only want to secure the kingdom and my future,” I told him. I was securing Percy’s future. “Can I have House Vouna?”
