Page 119 of Polestar
Magnus nibbled her lips one final time, whispering, “I had one hell of a dream while I was unconscious.”
Ana slipped out of his grasp, her fingers lingering in his as she moved toward the door.She slid her hand over the shoulder he’d bitten.“That wasn’t a dream.”
His eyes widened as she exited the room, closing the door behind her.
TWENTY-EIGHT
MagnusandEliashelpedthe king dress.
He was weak from his long trial under the effects of the dark sigil.
“My old friend was keeping me alive from the otherworld,” he’d said, matter of fact.
“I’ve no doubt.That was some dramatic possession he did of Father’s mate.I’ve never seen anything like it,” Elias said, awed, handing some of his grandfather’s clothing to Magnus to dress in.
“Nor have I, and I certainly have no desire to see it again if I can help it,” Magnus said, pulling on the trousers and shirt, happy to do away with the blanket.
The three men spoke with a hesitancy alien to each of them.
Three generations of polar bear royalty considered one another with uncertainty.
Finally, the king said to Magnus, “We will discuss our family matters at a later time.I revoke your banishment effective immediately.In the meantime, we must decide the fate of our prisoners.”He placed a gentle hand on Elias’ shoulder.“We will handle your mother’s judgment ourselves.As a citizen of the polar bear community in Barentian territory.”
“Before we go downstairs, I want to return something.It will only take a few minutes,” Magnus said.Triggering the secret door, he slipped into the dark passageway to retrieve the objects he’d hidden there for safe-keeping.
As the bookshelf slid back into place, he handed the stone and the wrapped book to Bjorn.“I would have ensured that Elias received these if anything had happened.”
Bjorn nodded, staring at the objects in his hands.“I know you would have.”He unwrapped the book, smoothing a palm over the etched leather surface, then rolled the chunk of jet between his fingers.
“What are they?”Elias asked.
“These are the reason for our being here, Elias,” Bjorn said, looking at Magnus.“The keys to something precious and sacred, and so dangerous we must protect it with our lives.They should have gone to your father for safekeeping on my death, along with the crown.But I know his destiny is elsewhere.”
Magnus nodded.“It is.Since I’m no longer banished and intended for execution, I will continue to do all I can to uphold our family’s duty from outside of Barentia.”
Bjorn sighed.“We should have done things differently, perhaps.”
“Perhaps.Or perhaps things went exactly as they were meant to.”
Elias looked perplexed by the exchange.
“No matter, we have guests to see to.”Bjorn laughed as he and Magnus replaced the items in their hiding places.“We will discuss these artifacts later.”
Magnus opened the door to the antechamber to find the head guard still at his post.
Despite the other guards’ insistence that Havard go to the infirmary, he stubbornly remained outside the King’s chamber.
Battered and bruised from his battle with Magnus, who looked equally so, he also looked at the king with haunted eyes.“Sire, I—.”
“I know,” Bjorn Thornsson said to his chief guardsman.
It seemed to be enough.
Havard nodded his head and stepped aside to allow the King to continue on his way.
As they entered the throne room, the king signaled that they should move into the meeting room.
Relief flooded Magnus on seeing his entire team present, hale and whole.Ana laced her fingers through his as he stepped next to her.
