I swallowed, shocked these words could even come out of Frey’s mouth, even if he did feel that way, as well as stunned and experiencing the weird sensation of being both heartbroken and immensely pleased that he actually did. Then, as all this hit me, I pressed my lips together as my throat started to clog.
Mother kept going. “And he shared with us that he had vowed to you to keep you safe from harm and while doing this, he told us if anything were to befall you, he would unleash the dragons as vengeance.”
I blinked, not in confusion, but in total shock.
Queen Aurora didn’t miss it, as I was guessing she didn’t miss much, and she nodded.
“Yes, my dear, that is what he said. The Drakkar promised to unleash the dragons, beasts that have not flown across this land for well over a millennia. Beasts that could cause damage and havoc the likes of which cannot be borne. Beasts that are not called upon except to defend our frost-covered land or to utilize their awesome power as service to our people. Your husband made it clear that we were to make it clear to anyone who would listen that if anything were to harm you, he would call upon his beasts to wreak vengeance. And this, my daughter, is not an idle threat to make. This, Sjofn, is extraordinary.”
Oh my God.
Oh my God.
I said nothing and she moved, uncrossing her legs and shifting to the edge of her seat, she leaned forward, elbows to knees in a casual pose the like I’d never seen her adopt.
And then she kept going. “It is my duty as queen of this land and to service my husband who rules it, but also to be a good wife, to stay quiet, listen and observe,” she said softly then even more softly, she got to the meat of the matter by saying, “I know of Viola.”
I sucked in an audible breath and she nodded.
“I know of her, Sjofn, and I saw your face when The Drakkar ordered she attend the table.”
I couldn’t stop myself from closing my eyes and looking away in an effort to hide what her words were making me feel and the intensity of it.
I opened my eyes and looked back at her when I heard her shift and then I watched her move to stand in front of me, looking down.
“My dear Sjofn,” she whispered, “we women carry many burdens. This is one of them, I’m afraid.”
Then I held my breath as she lifted her hand and tenderly cupped my cheek before she continued.
“I, too, had an arranged marriage and I, too, struggled in the beginning to build my relationship and earn the love of your Father. I was enamored with him on sight, he was the most beautiful man I ever beheld but he was also so full of life, so full of humor, it was immensely appealing,” she unusually shared these juicy morsels and I felt my eyes sting with tears as she went on. “But he was king and could do as he would. That said, even though I understood, his dalliances wounded me and they did so deeply.” She leaned slightly closer and kept whispering. “And thus, my Winter Princess, I learned to do all I could to make it so he would not need such encounters. I did this instead of making it clear they offended me, something your Father disliked.” She leaned back and smiled a smile that almost, but not quite, reached her eyes. “However, he did not dislike my efforts to make him no longer seek these relations and,” she paused, her hand shifting to my jaw, her thumb then sweeping my cheekbone, her smile finally reaching her eyes, “he still doesn’t.”
I stared up at her silent but I felt my lips twitch.
Apparently, Father got it regular.
“Do you understand me, my darling girl?” she asked softly.
I nodded. I understood her. Totally.
Her face went soft and she murmured, “Good.”
Then she dropped her hand and moved to the door while I turned to watch, her sweet, soft touch still tingling on my skin, her smiling eyes burned on my brain.
She stopped at the door and looked at me. “The dressmakers have left the undergarments they have made for you to wear under your Gales gown in your dressing chamber. You may don them now in preparation for the fitting. I will find one of your maidservants to bring the dressmakers to you so you can be done with this chore and get on with whatever other…” she paused with meaning, “pressing matters you intend to see to today.”
Not exactly a subtle hint so it wasn’t lost on me.
It was time to seek out The Drakkar.
Shit.
She waited and she did this with obvious expectation.
So I gave her what she expected.
“Okay, Mother,” I whispered.
She lifted her chin majestically and I decided I had to practice that. The way she did it was way cool.
Then she moved gracefully through the door like she floated on air rather than walked on rug-covered wood and she was gone.