Page 61 of Polestar
Ana’s small hand slipped into his palm, soothing him.
By the time Elias stood just beyond the wall of Barentian guards, Magnus had eased his posture and controlled his emotions.
Despite her gesture to calm him, her fingers trembled within his grasp and her breath remained shallow.
Elias moved between the guards.
“Your Highness—” Havard stepped between Magnus and the boy.
No, not quite a boy, or not for much longer, anyway.
Elias’ throat was unmarred.
With some relief, Magnus drank in his son’s features.
Hair the same as his own.He stood at a level height with Havard.He would be as tall as Magnus, if not taller.
There was little of Ulla in Elias—physically, at least.
Gods, I hope he doesn’t favor her in character.My heart would truly break.
The odds were much higher, with his absence.
After a long moment, Elias turned to Havard.“I would speak with my father in the library.”
“Sire, it is forbidden—.”
“Iwillspeak to my father,” Elias spoke over Havard, making his command clear.
Magnus struggled to maintain his impassive expression.
Did Elias remember him?He hadn’t thought he would, since he was so young when Magnus left.
No, more likely that he’d heard Magnus had returned for the signing and was curious.
Elias strode through the Registrar’s office, acknowledging her with a dip of his head.“Madam Gailensdotter.”
Movement drew Magnus’ attention to the far end of the hall that connected to a cross corridor where Elias had come from.Several figures hovered and ducked behind the corners.
Ignoring Havard, Magnus pressed Ana’s fingers, pulling her ahead of himself to follow Elias back into the library.
As much as he’d dreamed of seeing Elias again, he never thought it would happen.
Magnus wasn’t sure if he was ready for this.
He released her hand so that she wouldn’t detect the tremble that shook his own hands now.
Shock,delight,andfearswept through Ana on seeing Elias.
That was all layered on the instinctive terror that had ripped through her when the snarling echo-chamber had engulfed her senses.
She was so wide open, trying to read every little bit she could, anything that might help Magnus in some way.
The guards’ fear of Magnus assaulted her.
Magnus’ refusal to back down shored up her courage.
Even the librarian’s distress over the confrontation was palpable.
