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“I am glad the gods blessed Laila with such strong women in her life,” Herja went on. The princess stared at the expanse of the dark Howl. “You are one of them. She painted Hagen a picture of her two aunts—the queens of the whole bleeding world as far as she is concerned.”
I flushed. “Elise is—”
“The perfect queen for the North,” Herja interrupted, as though she already knew what I was going to say. “And you are the perfect one to take your placehere. You do not see it, but it isfelt, Malin. Not only by your folk, but by all of us. I’ve felt a burning of your strength from the first time Hagen spoke of you. From his earliest fears as your power began to grow when you were a girl.”
It was odd to know my brother had spent so much of my life in the arms of a lover I did not know existed. It was stranger still to know that he’d whispered fears for me, knowing well what my mesmer meant, when I did not know it myself.
“I am a thief, not a royal. I grew up in a hayloft, ignored but for one older brother who cared, and a boy who loved me no matter what. I lost him when I was a child, but much of my life was consumed with one objective—finding that boy who loved me and running away with him.”
My gaze lifted to Kase’s back. Raum was gesturing at some invisible shape in the distance. Some obstacle, perhaps a good cove where we could dock, only none of us could see it.
“Life was not perfect here, but we survived. When we went to the masquerade, I only wanted my brother back, not to start a war. I wanted our freedom. So did Hagen and Kase.” My shoulders slumped. “Sometimes . . . I wish I’d never learned the truth, that I’d never gone near the ring. We could all be in the North. Your family would be safe and finally together.”
Herja listened. She didn’t balk at my weakness, merely rested a hand over mine. “I understand. When I was first taken captive after the early raids that separated my family, there were many days I cursed the gods for being so cruel. The mountain felt too great a climb. But I have come to learn, the other side of that mountain lies a fate far greater than we ever could have imagined for ourselves. We must simply be willing to fight our way to the top.”
“I don’t understand.”
“If I had not been imprisoned, I would never have met Hagen. My children would not exist. Valen would never have found Elise, and the two lands of the North would likely still be enemies. But we are united now; we are stronger because we suffered.”
“So, you’re saying there could be something wonderful waiting for us.”
“I choose to believe it, yes.”
I studied the back of Kase’s head once again. “What if only death awaits?”
Herja hesitated. “Then you must make certain you fight for something worth dying for.”
I swallowed the thick emotion in my throat. A crown and a kingdom were not aspirations. This kingdom could burn if it threatened to harm those I loved. But Kase, the guilds, my family, they were worth every risk.
“Herja.” Hagen stepped around the center mast and placed his hand on the small of her back. “Laila asks for you.”
She smiled at my brother as if he were the sun breaking through the harshest storm. She placed a gentle palm on his heart for a few breaths, then left us for the tent.
“All well, Mal?” Hagen asked.
“No,” I said, eyes still locked on my husband. Kase must’ve sensed my stare for he looked back at me over his shoulder. He offered a small smile before Raum stole his attention again. I glanced at Hagen. “But I must hope it will be.”
* * *
Heavy rain soakedthe rocky shores of Klockglas when we finally arrived. Raum guided us with his mesmer, while Gunnar winced as he fought to keep the boats steady.
He was an Alver, he could control minds, but he also bore the blood of the Night Folk fae. Earth magic. I didn’t know if he connected to the wood in the ships, or the sea. I didn’t care. The more he challenged his mesmer, the more of a marvel Gunnar Strom became.
We docked our ships in a rocky cove. Concealed with slaps of slick rock and dangerous tides. It took time and patience maneuvering the ships in a way that the vessels would not be pummeled on the rocks. By the time we stepped foot on shore each of us were soaked and irritable.
Kase blanketed us in night. Thick, gauzy shadows leached into our pores, snuffed out any hope for a flame, and forced us to cling to the person in front of us as we trudged up the slick hillsides to the trees.
Felstad was at least five lengths deep into the Forest of Limericks, and with the rain and shadows it would be nearly impossible to reach it in one piece.
We settled in a thick grove of trees to camp and arranged a dozen pathetically tilted huts with small sleeves of canvas as shelter. Valen molded a few lean-tos, afraid to draw too much attention by bending the earth. In the end, the branches kept the children dry and added a makeshift barrier between our camp and the wilds of Limericks.
Inside our small hut, Kase pulled my back to his chest and tugged a thick fur to my chin. His arm draped around my waist possessively, and his lips kissed my neck until my muscles gave in and relaxed into his body.
“This is the right step,” he whispered.
I nodded. Kase had a sense about moves needed in his crooked games. I trusted his instinct, and agreed this was the path to take, but—
“You fear something.” He brushed my hair off my cheek, kissing me there. “Talk to me, Mallie.”
