asked slowly. “If I were to dismiss you from the Tower, where would you go? Where could your safety be assured? Where could you remain out of the hands of the Knights of Jadar?”
“I handled myself when it came to the Knights.” Vhalla ignored the magic and still mysterious fire that was the catalyst for her escape.
“And Egmun?”
“Were you absent at the Sunlit Stage?” Her ability to manage the Senate should’ve been apparent.
“What about the Emperor?” Victor folded his arms over his chest. “When he demands you become a weapon in his war, what will you do to refuse him?”
Vhalla’s tongue was stilled. That required some thought. But she wasn’t exactly a novice at defending herself to the Emperor either.
“Perhaps you will use Aldrik for that?”
She was on her feet. “Are you threatening me?”
“By the Mother, no!” Victor held up his hands with a chuckle. “I simply want you to understand how this relationship works.”
“Which is?”
“That I have put all bets on you and your skill.” Victor placed a palm on her shoulder, squeezing it encouragingly. “That I know you will do what must be done in the caverns.”
“Thank you.” She pulled her shoulder away, not wanting to be touched by the minister.
“I think we’re both ready to put all this behind us,” Victor remarked thoughtfully. “How close are you to finishing the axe?”
“I just finished, actually,” she announced confidently.
“You did?” The minister paused in awe. “You’re certain?”
“I am.”
“Then we could set for the caverns tomorrow.” The minister turned, going back to his workstation where he was diligently tempering crystals he’d said would be necessary to access the heart of the caverns.
“Tomorrow.” All Vhalla thought of was the ailing Baldair, of leaving Aldrik alone when his brother was in such a fragile state. “Can it wait?”
The world seemed to hold its breath as the minister assessed her. “I thought you wanted this done as much as I do.”
“I do, but . . .”
“So why do you stall?” He scrutinized her once more.
“I have my reasons.” And she didn’t owe him any of them.
“You have one.” Victor held up a single finger, slowly pointing at the watch that rested under her tunic. “A man to whom you remain foolishly devoted, despite his hand being promised to another.”
“If you speak about Aldrik again—” Vhalla didn’t even think twice about the fact that she had just acknowledged the prince and her being devoted.
“A man who can throw you off a roof, build you up only to cast you aside.”
“Enough!” Vhalla cut her arm through the air. The breeze sent the papers on his desk fluttering to the floor, but Victor smiled in the face of the warning shot.
“A man who can hurt you.” He started for her. Vhalla’s heart was racing in the limbo of fight or flight. “A man who can break you, drive you to madness, only to have you running to his side at a word.”
“You know nothing about us,” she seethed. “Don’t come one step closer.”
Victor took that step, and Vhalla raised her hand. His arm was as fast as a viper, and his fingers closed around her wrist, crunching the tendons together. His grip was like ice.
“Vhalla,” he said in a dangerously soft voice, “you may be incredibly special to me, but never lash out at me again.”
A shiver coursed through her as his magic reached its icy tendrils into her veins. His magic was numbing, dulling. It was the antithesis to the life Aldrik’s exuded, and Vhalla loathed it instantly.
A knock prevented the moment from escalating further. The minister released her at the sound, and Vhalla rubbed her wrist with a shiver. He walked back to his desk, quickly scooping up the majority of the papers, stashing the axe, and smiling as though nothing had happened. “Enter.”
The door opened. Vhalla had never been happier to see the pair of dark eyes.
“My prince,” the minister spoke first. “To what do we owe the honor?”
“Forgive my intrusion.” Aldrik spoke but didn’t take his eyes off her. Vhalla could see him working through the silent messages she was sending him.
“Never an intrusion by the crown prince. Tea?”
Vhalla didn’t even recognize the man casually talking to the prince as the same man who had just stashed a legendary crystal weapon and threatened her outright.
“Not today,” Aldrik thankfully refused. “I need to steal the Lady Yarl for Imperial business.”
“Imperial business?” The minister smiled, glancing between them. “Sounds important.”
“My brother has requested her presence,” Aldrik explained. “You know Baldair and pretty girls.” Aldrik