Page 46

Instead of finding Hakon, he saw Gunnar lounging in one of the chairs by the fireplace, asleep. Loud snores rumbled through the room as Herrick made his way over to his sleeping friend and kicked his boot off the small table in front of him.

Gunnar shot awake and reached for his axe before he realized it was only Herrick and relaxed. He sat in the chair opposite him and huffed, glaring at Gunnar.

“What’s your problem?” Gunnar asked as he stretched.

“The Heir of Flame? You couldn’t have told me that before?” Herrick spat.

“It wasn’t my story to tell; I said that,” Gunnar said as he reached for the tray of cold breakfast food that had been left in the room for Hakon.

“Sure, but the Heir of Flame ?” Herrick almost shouted.

He shouldn't have been taking out his anger on his friend. Gunnar was right, after all; it was Maude’s story to tell .

“I see your mother told you about the treaty forbidding your affections for the girl,” Gunnar said, chewing on bacon.

Herrick didn’t respond to him. Of course, Gunnar knew about the restrictions of the treaty.

His friend stood and patted Herrick on the shoulder as he walked past him to the balcony that overlooked the ocean.

Herrick followed him to the fresh morning air and sunlight, hoping the latter would banish thoughts of an Heir who had him wrapped around her little finger.

“Have you seen Hakon this morning?” Herrick asked, hanging his head as he leaned onto the railing.

Gunnar shook his head.

“That can only mean he is also breaking the treaty rules,” Herrick sighed.

“How do you figure that?” Gunnar asked.

“Eydis has air galder . If they had children, they would have three elements,” Herrick grumbled.

“It’s a silly rule that limits each person to their court. It puts too much of a divide in place,” Gunnar said, leaning on the railing.

“Power is the currency in our world; it makes sense because those in power need it to make sense.”

“That’s bullshit, and you know it. You and I both know there is a better way to rule, and it died out when the Elven did,” Gunnar said, crossing his arms and pacing the balcony.

The Elven led their kingdoms by choice of the people.

When a few candidates were chosen, they would perform in a series of trials based on logic, critical thinking skills, and combat.

The Elven who scored the highest in these trials by a panel of civilians chosen to represent the people would be crowned.

These civilians were usually elders, shamans, and seers of temples selected by the people to serve their best interests .

This was always fair because Elven of the solar courts could use all galder elements; their connection to the earth and stars allowed them to manipulate light and shadow as well as all the elements.

The Shadow Elven preferred their long nights in the cold north of Ahland, easily controlling shadows and manipulating the elements of water and wind.

The Light Elven, who preferred the bright suns and heat of the coastal south, controlled light and preferred fire and earth galder . It seemed more straightforward to Herrick to allow the people of each kingdom to choose for themselves as the Elven did, but change came slowly.

“I agree with you, Gunnar. I just don’t know how even to begin to make that a reality in our lifetime,” Herrick sighed, defeat in his voice already.

“You can start by heading down to the people’s court and listening to them,” Gunnar suggested.

“I’ve been meaning to go; I’ll make my way down after I speak with Hakon. I want to warn him of Mother's upcoming plans.”

“The Betrothal Ball? Yes, I heard. I’m thinking that it won't go over well.”

“No, I think he already knows. I ran into him last night leaving Father’s office, and he was…unwell,” Herrick said, worry creeping into his tone.

Hakon was with Eydis and had probably been so all night. He didn't need to be a seer to know what was happening.

Envy jaded his emotions quickly at the thought of them together.

Hakon had found a woman he loved in the dark alleys of Logi as they fought their way to freedom.

Eydis was lovely, and she clearly adored Hakon.

It seemed so easy for them. He was happy for his brother but couldn’t shake the jealousy that hung over him.

Herrick shook his head, disgusted with himself for being so jealous of his brother's happiness, even if it was to be short-lived. Just as Herrick was going to say he was off to find Hakon, the man himself walked through his door.

He still wore the same clothes as he had last night when Herrick had seen him, hair thoroughly ruffled as if hands had been running through it all night.

The dreamy smile on his face said enough if his hair hadn’t given him away.

Herrick made his way over to his older brother, whose face was still plastered with a faint smile.

Before Herrick could open his mouth to snarl at him or punch his brother in the mouth, Gunnar quickly intervened.

“Hakon, it seems you have a story to tell about your night. How is Eydis doing now that she has settled in her rooms?”

Hakon, having just noticed their presence, was startled for a moment but quickly recovered.

“Uh, she is well,” he stuttered.

Gunnar gave him a cheeky smile before thumping him on the back.

“What are you both doing here?” Hakon asked after chugging down cold coffee right from the spout of the carafe.

“I came to warn you that Mother is shifting into full planning mode for your Betrothal Ball. I don’t know what you’re going to do with Eydis; our parents won't allow you to be with her,” Herrick grumbled and sat in his chair again.

Hakon choked on the coffee that he had been guzzling.

“I woke up late and came to eat your food,” Gunnar said happily, ignoring the two brothers and their woes.

“When is it?” Hakon asked, ignoring Gunnar.

“Three days from now,” Herrick said.

“Gods, she really isn't going to let this rest,” Hakon huffed, ruffling his caramel hair some more.

“You have your duty, Hakon. We all do. ”

Gunnar snorted. “That’s rich coming from the one falling for the Heir of Flame.”

Herrick could only stare at his friend. Then, rage flared in Herrick. Not thinking through any of his actions that morning, Herrick lunged for Gunnar and knocked him off the armrest he had been sitting on.

They rolled a few times before they both began exchanging blows to the stomach and sides.

Gunnar landed a heavy hit on Herrick’s kidney, causing him to blow out his breath with pain, but not before he could kick Gunnar in the side.

Hakon jumped to pull them apart when they had both stood and wrapped his broad arms around Herrick’s chest. Herrick broke off from his friends and paced the room a few times.

“What have I missed?” Hakon asked Gunnar, clearly confused at the violent reaction from Herrick to the small comment.

“There is a treaty rule that forbids two royals from separate kingdoms from being together. Herrick is taking the news poorly this morning,” Gunnar said as he spat blood into an empty cup.

“Shut up, Gunnar,” Herrick growled, shaking his brother off and pacing once more.

Hakon watched the two of them stare each other down before he interjected.

“Let’s go for a walk through the city, Herrick. We could both use time away from the palace today,” Hakon said as he removed his shirt to go change into fresh clothing.

“I’ll look out for the girls today; make sure they don’t get into any trouble around the palace,” Gunnar said as he headed for the door, not looking backward over his shoulder at his friends.

“He definitely means Maude,” Hakon snorted.

Herrick couldn’t find it in himself to laugh that morning. He had been trying to force his feelings about the situation down so far that they had been breaking through as physical aggression rather than galder . Hakon was right to pull him from polite company today.

Herrick changed into some of his brother's clothing, the information he had gotten about the treaty and his brother's upcoming forced nuptials cycling through his thoughts without reprieve. Herrick knew if he stayed in the palace today, he would seek out Maude, and he wasn’t sure if he was ready for that interaction yet.

The news from his mother that barred him from forming any sort of relationship with Maude would be too present in his mind.

As they both walked to the door, Hakon threw an arm around his shoulders and said, “Let’s go get drunk.”