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"Any idea on the odds our other siblings and parents are dead?" Thorsten asked, concern etched on his face.
"Killing them off won't be easy," Radorgirn admitted. "I'm sure everyone is alive so far but spread out. Falka most likely has some members captured, but he can't kill them yet – he needs them as leverage. He's probably torturing them for info on the others."
"Then we'll save our family," Thorsten vowed, his silver eyes blazing.
Thorsten approached me after talking to Radorgirn. "Please don't apologize. I know you can't abandon your family."
He stroked my face with his massive hand, and I leaned into the gentle touch. "Kal, no matter what happens, I'll always be by your side."
"Shit, I wish we never came here in the middle of a fucking war," I muttered, trying to keep my emotions in check. "But we're stuck here, and we'll just have to make the best out of this mess."
"How was I supposed to know we were walking straight into a war?" Thorsten said, his silver eyes laced with regret.
"Hey, I'm not blaming you," I reassured him, feeling the tension between us rise. "I know you didn't bring us here on purpose."
"Naturally..." Thorsten snapped, clearly struggling to keep his cool. He took a deep breath and looked me straight in the eye. " I will give my life to protect you and the boys, you know this."
"That doesn't make me feel better," I shot back. "It just makes me even more scared because I don't want to lose you."
"I know, but I need you to trust me."
"I do trust you. Completely," I told him, the raw honesty in my words surprising even myself. That's when he pulled me close and pressed his lips against mine, momentarily wiping away all my fears.
After our tender moment, Thorsten turned his attention back to Radorgirn. "We can't stay at this camp any longer. We need to journey to Hrungnir Keep for safety. That's where the other nobles are waiting."
"That's a wise decision," Radorgirn approved, his weak voice still carrying authority. "We moved camp to the Dökkálfar border to divert attention away from Hrungnir, but now that we have a King who isn't missing a sword arm on the throne, we can begin to repair our broken royal court and put an end to that bastard Falka for good. Váli!" Radorgirn called out, and the tall, imposing general entered the tent. "Call an assembly for Thorsten's coronation. The sooner the crown is on his head, the better."
"Of course, Your Majesty," Váli replied, bowing his head before leaving to spread the word.
Looks like things are about to get real interesting around here, I thought, trying to mentally prepare myself for what lay ahead.
CHAPTER NINE
KAL
The scent of smoke lingered in the air as the last of the bodies were cremated. Outside, I could hear the camp bustling with activity as people prepared to leave, but I was stuck inside the royal tent with our twins. Thorsten's coronation was happening right now, and Radorgirn had decided that it would be best if the boys and I didn't attend or stand by his side. He wanted everyone to unite behind Thorsten, and having a human lover and half-titan children would only cast doubts on his rule.
The boys had woken up just long enough to greet their father before drifting back to sleep, nestled together in one oversized titan bed. As I sat there, watching them slumber peacefully, Icouldn't help but worry about what our future held. Would we become a dirty open secret? Could I live like that, knowing that the man I loved was being forced to hide us away?
"Fuck," I muttered under my breath as the weight of my thoughts threatened to crush me.
Suddenly, the tent flap opened, and Radorgirn entered. I was shocked to see him up and walking around, looking even more imposing than usual despite his injuries.
"Radorgirn!" I exclaimed. "You should go back to the medical tent and rest."
"Rest?" he snorted. "Not even a former King gets to rest, not completely. So I will rest when I am dead." With that, he poured himself a drink of ale and plopped down in a chair. Then, he filled another cup and handed it to me.
I hesitated for a moment before taking it, gripping the oversized cup with both hands. The ale had a strange, berry-like flavor that made me wonder what type of fruit existed in this world and if it was anything like the fruits from my own.
"Enjoying your drink?" Radorgirn asked, raising a brow.
"Uh, yeah," I replied, trying to keep my voice casual. "It's... different."
He smirked before continuing in a more serious tone. "The politicking begins now, Kal. Thorsten will be expected to take a titan consort and produce full-blooded titan heirs."
"Shit," I whispered, my heart sinking at his words. But instead of offering sympathy, Radorgirn just wished me luck with a wry smile.
"Thanks," I muttered, feeling a mixture of fear and anger boiling up inside me.
