Page 15 of The Magic of Vanaheim

Smart boy. He suspects that I’ve seen right through him, and now he thinks I’m mocking him, Talvi realized.So, he decided to drown me in my own bath. Rude!

Talvi breathed in. He was going to exploit another one of Bergelmir’s shortcomings because he was sure that Håkon had no idea who Talvi really was. Who his mothers really were. He’d soon learn.

Diving, Talvi glided through the water fast as a seal. Before Håkon had a chance to grab the weapon he surely had concealedat the pool’s edge, or prepare himself for an attack, Talvi emerged right in front of him.

Håkon recoiled, pulling up the wet cloth to cover his face at the last second. They were almost standing chest to chest, with Håkon backed against the basin’s wall, watching him with wide eyes. Talvi’s heart raced, his sole focus on his betrothed. He was so beautiful, a predator of the icy wilderness backed into a corner. Talvi longed to touch him, to make him feel at ease.

“What do you need, princess?”

Using the nickname felt natural… and was that a blush forming on Håkon’s cheeks? He was just too precious.

“I—”

Talvi sensed a disturbance, the fabric of the worlds ripping and realigning. The door flew open, and Arngrim stormed into the room with his guards in tow. He dragged one of theJotunnwarriors with him by the lapels of his coat.

“There you have our ruler,” Arngrim growled. “Nowtellhim about Bergelmir’s plans!”

six

Betrayal

?åkon

Norns, he was doomed. He had the blasted chieftain of theVanirright in front of him, naked and vulnerable, ready to drown the man in his own bath like an unwanted puppy. Why did he have to be disturbed right now? And what was Hrungnir playing at?

Lifting his hand a little higher, Håkon obscured his face from view the best he could.

“I’m Hrungnir, Prince Rune. I’m the captain of the ship that brought yourbridehere.”

Not-Prince-Rune narrowed his eyes. Håkon had to admire the man’s confidence. It didn’t seem to bother him at all to face all these warriors while still inside his bath, naked and dripping wet. He even gallantly shielded Håkon from their gaze with his body.

Frantically, Håkon searched for a way out. But all he could think of was the graceful way the boy had moved in the water, how he had dived towards Håkon with one quick stroke. Could theVanrindeed be a son of Vellamo and Ahti? Could Gudrun’stalk about Vanaheim being ruled by powerfulvölur, ancient water goddesses, be true after all?

“Thank you for bringing my betrothed here safely,” the boy said. He sounded amicable enough, but there was something dangerous lurking behind his friendly façade that sent a shiver down Håkon’s spine.

Hrungnir didn’t seem to care about the tension suddenly filling the room. He took a step closer to the basin.

“I’m bringing greetings from my Lord, Prince Brogar,” he continued. “He has a wedding present for you. Valuable information—”

Håkon knew that he’d been betrayed before Hrungnir had finished his sentence. He reached for the dagger he’d stashed under a towel at the edge of the pool, but it was too late.

“Not so fast,” the boy interrupted. “I promised my betrothed a proper bathing ritual, not to be gawked at by a horde of strangers. Out with you.Allof you!”

“But, Talvi—” Frekegar was turning as red as his hair. “This is important.”

“No. At this particular moment, the well-being of my betrothed is of importance. Nothing else. Wait outside.”

“But—” Frekegar and Hrungnir tried to object, but they were both cut short.

“Wait. Outside.” The power the words were laced with made Håkon shudder. He wasn’t sure if he’d be able to refuse were he addressed in such a manner.

“Fine,” Frekegar gritted out. “I’ll wait right in front of these doors.”

“Suit yourself.” The boy—Talvi, Frekegar had called him—sounded unbothered.

The guards retreated, pulling Hrungnir with them, and for a moment, Håkon thought that by some strange twist of fate, he was granted another chance.

“Your princess is a traitor! You’ve Håkon Bloodaxe in your midst!”