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Herrick released the breath he had been holding.

“I think the only reason she stayed was for your mother,” Gunnar said, needing no encouragement to keep speaking. “Alva invited her to the ball, and I think whatever scrap of manners Maude still has ruled in favor of staying. Besides, I mentioned that we all are still planning to leave tomorrow, and she wouldn’t want to leave her friends behind.”

Herrick snorted.

“She probably argued that we weren’t her friends,” Herrick said, shaking his head and walking to the counter where he knew Hakon kept his good liquor.

Gunnar laughed. “Yes, she said as much. Pour one for me, too.”

Bringing over two glasses of amber liquor, Herrick handed one to Gunnar, who downed it in one big gulp.

Fuck it, he thought and did the same. He brought the bottle to where Gunnar was sitting and poured them each another dram.

“Why do you think she stayed?” Herrick asked, trying to appear nonchalant.

“Maybe she just wants to go to the party,” Gunnar chuckled.

“It would’ve been easier if she had gone,” Herrick said quietly.

“You don’t mean that.”

Herrick didn’t respond. Gunnar was right; he didn't mean it. Knowing that he would see Maude tonight and be forced to mingle would be impossible for him. Herrick downed his second glass and was pouring his third when Hakon finally arrived.

“Well, this is familiar,” Hakon joked as he saw Herrick and Gunnar waiting for him again.

“You need to get ready; Mother will have your head if you keep her waiting again,” Herrick grumbled, standing to push Hakon toward his washroom.

“Pour one of those for me,” Hakon said, ignoring Herrick and taking a seat next to Gunnar.

Herrick noticed Hakon had a bruise just below the collar of his shirt, the purple and black shades stark against his skin.

“Eydis seems to have quite the appetite,” Herrick said, pointing out the mark.

“Don’t joke; today is awful enough already,” Hakon said, voice getting serious quickly.

“It must not be that serious if you’ve been diving into her sheets every given moment, fully aware that nothing can come of it,” Herrick bit back.

“Shut up, Herrick,” Hakon growled.

“Maybe if you ignore the situation long enough, Mother will forget that it goes against the treaty for you to be with Eydis,” Herrick continued.

“Stop,” Hakon said as he stood and faced his brother.

“Is Eydis going to be okay with becoming your mistress once you’ve been forced to marry someone else?”

“She’s so much more than that, and you insult her by speaking like this,” Hakon shouted.

“Since you keep sneaking in and out of the room you’ve both been cooped up in for days, I don’t believe that.”

“Enough,” Hakon growled.

“You cannot continue to ignore the genuine problem you will be faced with tonight, Hakon. You’re only going to end up hurting Eydis when you are unable to choose her,” Herrick said.

“Herrick,” Gunnar warned from where he sat. The brothers both ignored him.

“It’s astounding that you have so much to say on the subject, Herrick, considering your problems concerning the Heir of Flame. I would have thought you, of all people, would understand,” Hakon snarled, getting into Herrick’s face. “I thought you might finally understand why Maude fights against her fate so much, why I have taken to doing the same.”

“And why is that?” Herrick asked, already knowing what his brother was going to say.