Page 78 of Polestar
Magnus nodded.
Execution then.
“By rights of the condemned, I claim my entitlement to a final interview with the clan shaman.”
“You do not observe the clan ways,” Ulla blurted.
“Hm,” Magnus grunted, looking at his ex-wife.“Perhaps in my last moments, I’ll make my final statements.One of whichmayindicate which facility Aksel is in, where they’re working to keep him alive.”
“You bast—.”
“Tradition dictates that I have three days before the allotted execution date, doesn’t it?Plenty of confinement time to consider my last words.”
Ulla’s fingers curled into fists as she struggled to control herself.
“Three days.The sooner you bring the shaman to me, the sooner I may relieve my conscience and set my soul right.So that I might not haunt my executioners.”
Bjorn’s glassy eyes found Magnus’ face, frowning as he regarded him.
Magnus couldn’t read him.He never could.
What happened to this family?
What has Ulla been filling his head with, all this time?
Before her arrival at Barentia, Magnus’ relationship with his father wasn’t exactly loving, but it was mutually respectful and healthy despite their differences of opinion on certain matters.
Ulla had always wanted control.She had it.In his absence, she’d gained control as regent, bridging the rulership between his still-living father and too-young son.
She was threatened by Magnus’ appearance to sign the register, recording his impending union.
Insecure in her position?
“Summon the clan shaman,” Bjorn wheezed, then waved Magnus away.
The guards’ expressions were uncertain as they exchanged glances before they moved to fulfill their order.
Magnus looked at Elias one last time.“You will be a fine king someday.”
He turned and left the Great Hall his ancestors had ruled for centuries.Probably for the last time.
Three days.
Magnus had three days to figure out an escape, or he’d fail Ana, Elias, and Barentia.
NINETEEN
Clangingandbangingprecededthe opening of the cargo box door.Everyone squinted against the sudden splash of light filling the room.
“Breakfast,” Antony said.
Two goons stood on either side of the door, holding automatic rifles, while two more distributed food.
Emilio shoved a bowl of gruel with a chunk of bread into Ana’s hands.“Yummy,” she muttered, staring at the gray slop.
The pounding and spinning in her head had gone away after a few hours of sleep, making it easier to focus and think.
Emilio and the other crew members settled around Ana before the doors closed, throwing them back into darkness.
