Page 60 of Polestar
They expect a confrontation.
Magnus decided it was time to push inward.“I demand to see my father.”
Havard tilted his head up to meet Magnus’ direct gaze.“You no longer have a father.”
With his head up, Havard’s beard was also lifted, exposing the black mark on his throat.
Magnus’ gut tightened as he stepped forward, towering over him.The other guards tensed.
Were they all marked?The Barentian’s propensity toward full beards obscured their throats.
He stared Havard in the face for a long moment.Ana hovered at his periphery with their backpacks in hand.
Although his stance was one of intimidation, he hesitated out of concern for Ana’s safety.
“Doesn’t he have a right to see his father once more?”Ana asked Havard.
“He is banished and has no rights at all,” he spat.
“Blood is still blood,” Magnus said.
Something flickered in Havard’s eyes, but it was so brief, Magnus wasn’t sure as they continued to stare at one another.
It was something Havard would often say to Magnus in their youth.
Havard scowled.To the men, he said, “Escort them out.”
One of the men grabbed Ana’s arm, shoving her toward the exit so hard she stumbled into the wall, dropping their bags.
“Don’t touch her,” Magnus snarled at the guard.He bent to help her to her feet and retrieve the packs.When he turned back to the guards, they’d all moved into defensive positions in the narrow space.
He stepped toward the men, ensuring Ana was behind him.He looked each man in the face then said, “if any of you touch my mate again, I will rip your fucking arms off.”
“Looking for a fight, Magnus?”Havard smirked.“Come on, shift.”
Magnus’ growl reverberated off of the stone walls and floor of the corridor as he dipped into a loose crouch, both shielding Ana and preparing to launch himself forward should he need to.
The other Barentians growled back, gripping their weapons tighter.
The stink of their fear as they faced him stained his nostrils.
A figure appeared at the end of the hall behind the guards.
Magnus’ heart stumbled.
“Stop!”A high voice cut across the deafening growls.
The others stopped immediately.
Magnus let his bass growl roll out, giving himself a few extra seconds to compose his reaction to the appearance of his son.
Still fully aware of Ana’s rapid breathing behind him, he didn’t ease his stance.
Elias strode forward.
The multiple guards surrounding Magnus hadn’t phased his heart rate.
The approach of his son sent it into a wild staccato.
