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“Doubtful. Wraith said the curse wiped House Ode from existence. I don’t know if Riot meant it to be such a way, or if the curse backfired in some horrid way, but I think that is why Davorin believes he can take Riot’s place. It is unchallenged power. The nearest power there is resides in Calista. I saw Davorin threaten seidr in the past. He promised to destroy all workers of fate. Seems he’s determined to keep that promise.”
“He wants to be the fate king,” Saga whispered. “This is why he grew his twisted glamour to steal other power. He wants it all.”
Saga’s mouth parted. “He wants seidr as his final piece.”
“If he’s grown stronger with fae magic, to snatch a storyteller, he’s found his way to become your brother.”
Saga closed her eyes. “There is so much I feel like I still don’t know. Like it’s there as you speak, but I can’t see it. We’re going to the shadow queen today. Do you think I could see what you saw?”
“I think it would be wise if everyone saw what I saw. This is not just our fight. Not anymore.”
A heavy knock pounded on the door. “Ari, Saga.” Cuyler called. A curse and what sounded like a slap to the head followed. “Gods, father.”
Gorm’s deep hiss must’ve been a chastisement for his son.
“I’m sorry,” Cuyler said, “but they’re rather informal for a king and queen.”
Saga and I shared a look and laughed.
Cuyler cleared his throat. “I’ve come to tell you, we’re prepared to go to the foreign royals.”
Reluctantly, I slid from the bed and held out a hand for Saga. “Ready, sweet menace?”
“No.”
I smirked. “Me neither.”
Chapter34
The Raven Queen
Ari adjustedthe rigging on the small sloop for the tenth time since disembarking from the isles.
I chuckled and took hold of his wrist. “You’d think we were going to your beheading.”
“Don’t be so sure we’re not.”
In the distance, the faint glow of torches seemed to stand in the middle of the sea. Mists from a cold night hadn’t faded, nor tantalized the dawn enough to chase away the dimness. Still, there was enough light to make out the shape of a rocky island that had not been there before. Over ten lengths from the main shoreline, Valen had shaped a rocky plot of land where the Kryv, and what warriors joined the North, had set up camp.
Jagged walls of rock and soil and clay surrounded the isle in makeshift, yet formidable, gates.
On the north side of the small isle, several ships made berth, and through the shadows from the torches at the rock walls, I could spot at least six guards watching the dark sea. The small boat carried Gorm and Cuyler, Calista and Stefan, and Hagen and Gunnar, then Stieg, Bo, and Rune.
Bo said little, but wasn’t given the choice to join or not. He knew Davorin’s stronghold, and if we had a chance to plan our way back to Eryka, Bo would be our eyes behind Davorin’s walls.
Calista chatted with Stieg as he rowed with Hagen and Bo. The storyteller wasn’t surprised to hear the theory that Davorin wanted to absorb her seidr. She’d merely shrugged and said, “Most folk do.”
Stefan and Cuyler checked on supplies and weapons, while Gorm, Rune and Gunnar kept watch on the sides, leaving Ari and I alone at the bow.
“Ari, be calm.” I rubbed the back of his neck until he closed his eyes. “They’re your people, and I still have the mark from the queen’s blade. I’m the one who should worry over my neck.”
“There is no need, My Queen,” Gorm called to me. “We will not let a hand bring you harm.”
“Good. For Ari too?”
Gorm arched a thick brow. “It is customary for warriors to protectbotha king and queen, My Lady.”
“There.” I patted Ari’s chest. “You hear that? Gorm shall protect you.”
