The three fae were in the hall with my father when I finally stepped into the morning light. Dreams of Arvad’s hands tormenting my body in beautiful ways filled my dreams.
To see him seated at the table in my house, dressed in a simple tunic, hair damp from a wash, was a sight I wanted every morning. My father winked my way and patted the bench beside him.
“The prince has been telling me something interesting, Lili.”
I cast Arvad a wary look. He winked at me.
“Seems like he more or less is asking you to be his consort—”
“Bride.” Arvad corrected, never looking away. The word seemed to startle my father, even Dagar wore a befuddled look. “I know my mother and father are consorts, and I will never say they do not love each other fiercely. It is an honored position, and I know it is common in Timoran as well, but I want you as my future queen, Lil. As my wife. Like your mother and father.”
A bit of pride flared in my daj’s eyes. He patted Arvad’s wrist. “I like that even better, Prince.”
“It’ll be an alliance, Arvad,” Kjell said. “Lilianna is close to the Timoran prince. They’ll likely want to sign off on marital vows officially.”
“I don’t care about Eli or his father,” Arvad said. “I don’t say this to make some treaty or alliance.”
“But it wouldn’t hurt,” I offer. “Would it? To have peace.”
Arvad smirked. “We’ve been trying to get that stubborn ass of a king to come to Etta. The doors are open. If having you in the royal house helps, so be it. If it doesn’t, it changes nothing about me wanting you as my wife. I’m afraid I’ve fallen in love with you, too, Huntress.”
Kjell groaned, Dagar chuckled. My father beamed at the two of us. I felt like I needed another ten moments alone with the prince to show him how I truly felt.
“Well, Lili,” Daj said after a moment. “What do you say?”
I took hold of Arvad’s hand across the table. “I choose him, Daj.”
The prince leaned over and kissed me, smiling against my lips before pulling back. The rest of the morning was spent planning and discussing arrangements that would be made. Arvad explained how his mother believed I was the one for him before we even met.
We’d get no resistance from the royal house. There were bitter Ettans against Timorans, though, much like my folk were against them. With reassurances that I’d won over Dagar and Kjell from a few simple words, Arvad insisted his people would do the same.
I wasn’t so certain my people ever would.
By sunset, Arvad and the others packed their coach to return to Etta where he would begin the announcements. Reluctantly, he agreed to write to King Jón and Eli personally. They would be livid, no doubt.
But Eli always insisted I was his greatest friend, surely he would want me to be happy.
The hope shattered after another week when the Timoran royal caravan arrived at our longhouse.
Eli shoved from the coach, clad in a midnight blue tunic and fur cloak. “Lili.”
I came to a halt, chopped wood cradled in my arms. “My Prince?” For show of the servants who’d arrived with him, I dipped my chin in respect. Eli never demanded it otherwise. “What honor brought you to us?”
“I have excellent news.” Eli hurried and took the wood from my arms setting it on the ground. He gripped my shoulders. “You have been called to the Valkyries. Your four turns of service begins on the morrow.”
My stomach dropped. The royal archers were where I’d yearned to serve when life was nothing but frosts and cold and no glimmer of change.
Now, everything changed.
“Are you not pleased?” Eli cocked his head. “It took some doing to convince my father, but I did it for you.”
There was a hint of irritation in Eli’s voice.
As a Valkyrie, the woman did not take vows, she did not bear children until the turns were done. Never, if she continued to serve.
“I’m grateful for your words, Eli,” I whispered. “But—”
“Good!” He pulled me into a warm embrace. But the words he whispered next chilled my blood. “Of course, you’ll need to put an end to this little game of vows with a prince, Lili. Immediately.”
When he pulled back, the same friendly smiled I’d always loved was in place.
All at once it struck me—he’d received a missive from Arvad. He was doing this only to sabotage our union.
“I am grateful,” I said, slower, darker. “Unfortunately, My Prince, my future desires have changed. I must respectfully decline the call to the royal archers.”
Eli’s expression darkened. “I’m sorry to hear that, Lili. A little disappointed.”
I nodded, but did not know what to say.
“You know there was trouble near the pass the other day. A woman insisted a man tried to rape her. Her description almost sounded like Vidon.”
Bile rose in my throat. “What are you doing, Eli? My father has been near the fjords selling his—”
“And it is not so far from the pass roads.”
Anger, hot and sharp, filled my chest. “You know he would never.”
“I hope not, but she is accusing. I would love to stand with him.”
“You’re entrapping me?”
“No.” Eli nudged my chin with his knuckle. “I’m giving you a choice between two men.”
Arvad. Or my father.
Mortifying tears fell off my lashes. I swiped them away. “I thought our friendship meant more to you.”
“Oh, Lili, it means everything.” Eli took my hand, squeezing harder when I tried to pull away. “I am being your friend now and saving you from a reckless decision. You’re caught in a spell, and someday soon you’ll understand I’m doing this because you mean everything to me.”
There was a fine line between love and hate.
Right now, I teetered closer to hate. Arvad would not stand for it. He’d be rash and protective and a bleeding war could start.
I would write to him. Four turns. That was all. Four turns and the royal house of Timoran could not keep me.
What was four turns when we had centuries?
“I suppose you’d like to prepare your things.” Eli said. “I’ll take you the tower myself.”
With a narrow look I faced the prince. “Know that today, you have changed everything between us, My Prince.”
I could’ve imagined it, but when I turned around, I thought a flash of guilt shadowed Eli’s face.