Page 91 of Ties of Starlight

Nyrunn bit out, “You're a disgrace.”

“You don't understand, Your Majesty—”

“Save it.” Nyrunn lifted his hand and Olaug stepped back. “I'm not here about that.”

“I'm sorry I ruined the ceremony, but our people can last another two hundred and fifty years—”

Did he ever stop talking?

Nyrunn cut him off, voice frigid. “The wedding went on.”

Finally, Olaug was silent, just staring at Nyrunn. He blinked a few times, then straightened up with a weak, fragile laugh. “Oh. Perfect, see? You didn't need me.”

“I'm here for answers.”

Olaug glanced around the empty tavern and then out the windows, which were full of the previous occupants all peering inside. “You're not here to arrest me?”

Nyrunn crossed his arms. “Answer and we'll see.”

Olaug let out another weak laugh. “Alright, Your Majesty, ask away.”

“Why?”

“Why did I leave? I told you in my note. I couldn't marry her.” But Olaug’s eyes betrayed his honesty as they darted to the ground. There was more he wasn't saying.

Did he remember everything?

“No. I read your letter. Why does she love you?”

“Idonea?” Olaug scoffed. “I mean, I was a captain. I've always been well respected. Part of a noble family. Handsome. I make friends no matter where I go. I could go on.”

“You're vain. And selfish. Andfaithless.”

“So?”

Nyrunn could see the crowd outside the tavern window shift, everyone trying to eavesdrop on the conversation. He lowered his voice. “What hold do you have over her?”

Was it part of the magic bringing her back? Or was it all Idonea?

This visit was a gamble, but with the comet appearing in the sky the next day, Olaug was Nyrunn’s last chance to break Idonea out of this insanity and make her see reason. If they left that night, they’d reach the Constellation Pool as the comet appeared, and hopefully have enough time for Idonea to see this cycle was already broken beyond repair and to free herself.

Even if she didn’t do it to be his.

If the one she did love begged her to free him, she would.

Nyrunn hoped.

But, if he was going to bring him back to do what his letter hadn’t, he needed a few answers first.

“How should I know? Also, what does any of this matter?” Olaug’s voice pitched up. “This is what you tracked me down for?”

Nyrunn reached forward, and in a flash, he had his hand in Olaug’s shirt, jostling him. “I don't answer to you. You answer to me.”

“Don't you think if I could have gotten rid of her ages ago, I would have?” Olaug raised both his hands up to his head as he tried to stumble back, but Nyrunn wasn’t letting him go. “Her starry-eyed adoration is fun at first until her newness wears off and you actually look at her. Just standing near her made my skin crawl.”

Nyrunn's fist was about to make contact with Olaug's jaw when a hand wrapped around his wrist and a familiar voice cried out, “Nyrunn, no!”

The weight dragging him back forced Nyrunn to release Olaug, who immediately scrambled back.

---