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"In the human world, there are stories about dwarves living underground," I mused. "Maybe Utangard still has some, just hidden beneath the surface."
Váli laughed. "I would actually like that," he said, his expression softening. "This is probably the first time in a long time that I've had a conversation that didn't involve war and battle tactics."
"If you ever want to talk again, just let me know," I offered, genuinely meaning it.
"I'd like that," Váli replied.
My eyes lingered on Thorsten across the dock. Now it seemed as if one of those nobles were introducing him to a stunning Titan male with sharp cheekbones, piercing blue eyes, and hair the color of liquid gold cascading down his broad shoulders. His muscles rippled beneath his fine clothes, and he seemed to carry an aura of authority around him.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the scene. Thorsten at first seemed surprised then his expression softened as he greeted him. It wasn't just this guy; there were other attractive Titans vying for his attention. But it was clear that this one was special.
"His name is Tyr, an old lover, nothing more." Váli said, trying to reassure me. "Thorsten's going to be introduced to plenty of nobles who want his hand in marriage."
"Fuck them," I replied stubbornly. "We're already married, and we have two kids together." I couldn't help but feel a little proud at that fact.
Váli sighed. "Yes, but Thorsten will be required to have a Titan bride. At least that's what would be expected. Titans don't typically choose partners of other species. Especially not members of the royal family. There are no protocols for something like this, but if a noble were to try to marry a Dökkálfar or Ljósálfar, that marriage wouldn't be recognized by Titans. At best, they'd be kept as a concubine. I'd imagine the same rules apply to a… human."
"Great," I muttered, clenching my fists. "So, I'm just a fucking concubine, huh?"
"A king might be able to keep a human concubine, but not a human consort."
"Why not? Aside from the height, long life span, the pointy ears, and how gorgeous all of you are, what other differences do we have?” I snapped at first but my point began to lose steam the longer I spoke. "Okay, fine, we’re different, but I thought…”
“Go on.”
“I was already made to prove our connection, if we were so different then how come I can be his mate?” I sighed in frustration; I didn’t want to have to deal with the same crap I did back in Jötun, but I guess I can’t avoid it no matter what. I’m so sick and tired of people always finding some reason or another to think they're better than others. In the human world, we used to do the same shit – using skin color and gender as markers of superiority and inferiority. It took a goddamn cataclysmic event for us to realize how petty it all was."
Váli raised an eyebrow. "And you believe that humans and Titans are no different from one another?"
"Why shouldn't our similarities be considered? I gave birth to Thorsten's children, didn't I? That should be enough to prove there's a connection between our races."
“Take it however you like, I merely speak the truth. Our Kingdom must be united at all cost and therefore we must have a solid King on the throne as well as a powerful consort no one will question. What is love but an emotion, can a single emotion hold a kingdom together? I doubt it. If love keeps my countrymen divided, then like a wolf in the woods I will track it and ripped it apart.”
As I stared up at Váli, I realized the weight behind his constant gaze. He truly was a bird of prey, and his prey was me.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
KAL
Váli's voice became almost deceptively soft as he told me that he understood my terrible situation. "It all must sound unfair. You can't return home to your own people because the portal to the human world was destroyed." He gestured to Thor and Loki, who were playing with a titan child nearby. "And it seems your children will thrive here, so you must have been looking forward to building a life here."
"… I was," I muttered.
"And they still possess royal blood, which is always a boon. Titans are merit-based people overall. If the twins prove theirworth and do great things, the other Titans will eventually ignore their human blood. However," his gaze sharpened, "it would be much easier for them to ignore it if the human wasn't around."
My heart raced as I sensed the veiled threat behind his words. "Are you going to kill me?" I asked, not bothering to hide my fear. My hand sneakily reached for Loki's dagger, hidden in a knife holster under my robes. I had held onto the gift Thorsten gave the twins because Loki didn't have an interest in the knife the same way Thor did. Now, Thorsten's gift might save my life.
I glanced at Thorsten, who was still talking to the other nobles a few feet away. Could I call for him before Váli could do anything? But then I wondered if that was even the right move. I knew Thorsten would kill Váli if he hurt me. So why would Váli go out of his way to threaten my life so boldly and in public?
"Put that dagger away," Váli warned, his tone chilling. "There's no way you'll be able to use it against me. I could kill you long before you get the chance."
"Fuck you," I spat, gripping the dagger tighter. It seemed like a pitiful weapon against the massive titan before me, but I was ready to go down fighting if I had to.
Váli's eyes bore into mine, making it clear he wasn't bluffing. As much as I hated to admit it, I knew he had the upper hand. I tried to steady my breathing, forcing myself to think rationally. My family needed me. Thorsten, Thor, and Loki depended on me being smart, not reckless.
"Killing me would achieve nothing but the very thing you're trying to avoid," I argued, my voice surprisingly steady despite the fear gnawing at my insides. "Do you really think Thorsten will continue being King after you kill me?"
Váli's lips curled into a smirk. "You're right," he conceded. "Thorsten is devoted to you. Can't blame him, though." He looked me up and down, his gaze lingering on my face for a moment. "You are quite beautiful, and I hate watching beautiful things die."
