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Her attention was drawn to the midnight-black sword hanging on the wall behind the king. Sinister mana flowed from it and she was reminded of the power of theMagisk-æderand theGenfødsel Kniv.Both of which had been handed to the Royal Guard, and then to the king. The sword above the throne felt similarly wicked, and she surmised it was another fae artifact.She vaguely remembered Mímir mentioning that the royal family had a fae artifact that was the sister of theGenfødsel Kniv. What had he called it? TheDød Sværd? Was that the same sword he had been talking about?

King Leiknir’s voice boomed in the quiet room. “Fenris has already filled me in about what happened, and I’ve read all of your reports.” He motioned to Magni, Truda, and Blár. “You all did an excellent job out there. Many lives were lost and you discovered a traitor. Nonetheless, we have much to learn from these ruins and I applaud you four for making these ruins accessible to us all. This is a great advancement for Rosain as a whole.”

His eyes turned to Kolfinna and the weight of his stare felt heavier than the cloak on her shoulders, and if it weren’t for Blár glancing over his shoulder at her, she would’ve shriveled within herself.

“Kolfinna the fae.” King Leiknir leaned into his throne and regarded her coolly. Green and blue gemstones glinted on his crown and he twisted a heavy ruby ring around his forefinger. Kolfinna held her breath for his next words. “I’ve heard much about you and how you were able to read the runes. It is my request that you continue to serve our country by lending us your strength as a fae. We wouldn’t have been able to do what we did without your help. It is my hope that you will continue to serve us as a Royal Guard.”

A collective gasp filled the room, and even Kolfinna inhaled sharply.

A Royal Guard; she would finally become one.

She lowered herself to another bow. She couldn’t hide the relief from her voice as she said, “That is also my wish, Your Highness.”

His smile was thin and unnerving. “I’m happy to hear that. I have high expectations for you.”

Kolfinna straightened her shoulders and tried to hide the grin twitching on her lips. From Blár’s side profile, she saw a hint of a smile on his lips, and even Magni gave a short nod in her direction. The swarm of faces in the crowd almost didn’t matter anymore with those words alone.

“That’s all. You four are dismissed.”

He didn’t need to tell her twice to leave. She spun on her heels immediately, her gaze cutting straight to the doorway. All she had to do was leave and then she was free—

“Your Majesty,” a strong, clipped voice resounded in the grand room. An older woman had her hand raised and she stared at Kolfinna like a hawk. Blond and gray hair framed her face, and laugh lines formed around her mouth, but there was no kindness in that gaze. “If I may interrupt—”

King Leiknir narrowed his eyes, and she noticed that even Fenris appeared peeved, his lips pursed into a firm line. “What is it, Hilda Helgadottir?”

Kolfinna bristled. Hilda Helgadottir was the third black rank in the country. She had also been the head of the Hunter’s Association in her prime, so Kolfinna had a feeling that whatever she had to say wouldn’t be in Kolfinna’s favor.

“I’ve heard Kolfinna the fae is a murderer.” She crossed her leg over the other and placed her hands on her knees. The chandelier lights glinted off the sparking, gems-studded rings adorning her fingers. “How can a murderer become a Royal Guard? If she is to be a Royal Guard, how can she uphold justice with such murky morals?”

“She’s been absolved for her past in the same manner as you have, Hilda.” Fenris’s voice cracked like a whip, his tone piercing. “Just like how you were pardoned for your crimes of killing dozens of fae, some of whom actually weren’t fae, Kolfinna has also been pardoned.”

Hilda’s smile remained frozen on her face, as if unaffected by his words. “Is that so?” she asked. “My duties as a hunter also saved countless people. I’ve never made a mistake, Captain Asulf, so I don’t know what you’re implying—”

“If you have any complaints about my judgment—” King Leiknir started.

“Oh, heavens, I would never dream of that!” She covered her mouth and chuckled. “I was simply curious about the morality of your newest Royal Guard, Your Highness. She will be in close proximity to you and the important people in this palace, so I was wondering if it’s wise to have her here. I was only thinking about your safety, Your Highness.”

“If you have further questions about Kolfinna, you’re more than welcome to visit my office and we can discuss it further,” Fenris said flatly. “But now is not the time, nor the place.”

“Apologies, then,” Hilda murmured, her smile absolutely villainous as she shifted her attention to Kolfinna. “I’ll have to take you up on that offer, Captain Asulf.”

“I’m not a threat.” Kolfinna’s voice rang across the room and it took her a moment to realize she had said it out loud. She glanced at Fenris, who gave her a reassuring nod. Blár smiled when their eyes met, as if urging her to continue. She gathered her confidence and turned to Hilda. “I plan to serve and protect this country and to help as many people as I can. I’m no more of a threat than you are, Hilda Helgadottir. I hope you can come to trust me. The fae are not your enemies.”

Hilda’s smile was sharp and unforgiving. “Is that so? I suppose we’ll have to wait and see then.”

Kolfinna couldn’t say anymore because a Royal Guard motioned them toward the door.

She pulled the cloak tighter around herself. She was now a Royal Guard. She didn’t have to fear the hunters anymore. Not even Hilda.

28

Kolfinna waitedoutside Eyfura’s door with bated breath; she had been in the Royal Guard recovery wing ever since they returned from the ruins. During that time, no one had been allowed to visit in order to let her recuperate. Kolfinna had been relieved to hear that—she was honestly too ashamed and nervous to face her.

She hesitated another minute before gently rapping her knuckles against the door and peeking inside. The room was empty save for a bed, a stool, a couch, and a nightstand. Nollar was curled up in a ball on the couch, while Eyfura sat on the white bed with a handful of papers in her hands. Her blond locks were pulled together messily into a loose bun, and she wore a long, thin, fluttering nightdress that shifted against her body with the breeze from the open window.

Eyfura’s eyes lit up when she saw Kolfinna and she placed the papers on the nightstand, a grin stretching across her lips. “Kolfinna!” she said. “Oh goodness, so good to see you! Come in, come in!”

Nollar shifted on the couch and mumbled something but was fast asleep the next second.