Page 90 of Polestar
He didn’t stop until he was in the privacy of his bedroom, where he leaned back against the wall, chest heaving, both from the run and the shock of Magnus roaring full-bear in his face.
‘Ulla gave my Ana to those traffickers.’
Would Mother do that?
Elias thought they just ignored the human world.It was of no consequence to Barentia.Except for entertainment.Yvan entertained his mother.Elias had satellite television to keep him entertained.
Entertained or distracted?
He’d noticed how easy it was to lose hours watching nonsense.
Nonsense that his grandfather would never allow.
Grandfather.
Elias felt the sudden urge to visit the old man.Guilt panged in his chest, realizing he had not visited him much since he fell ill.
He immediately left his room, striding toward his grandfather’s.As he approached, Havard stepped away from the wall, blocking Elias’ access.
“Havard?Step aside, I’m here to visit with my grandfather.”
“He rests.You may come back later.”He said, toneless.
“I won’t disturb him.I just want to sit with him for a little while.”
“Come back later when he’s awake.”
“But I—.”
“No, your highness.He is not to be disturbed.”
Elias blinked at Havard’s denial of his order, refusing to move out of his path.
Havard had never refused him access to his grandfather before.Ever.
He stared at Elias as though he were just another servant.He didn’t lower his gaze to meet Elias’, as he used to do.Instead, he stood so that his body blocked the path, chin lifted.
Elias noted the black marking partially obscured by Havard’s beard.“What new tattoo is that, Havard?”He gestured toward his own throat.
Havard glanced down at Elias then.Uncertainty glimmered in his eyes.“All of my sigils are representations of my lineages, or for my position.”
“Huh, I’ve never seen that particular one.What is it for?It’s new since the shaman left us.Who did the ceremony for it?”
Havard frowned.“It is a mark of my unfailing duty to my king.The regent had her trusted servant perform the ritual.”
“I see.”Elias said, swallowing.His shoulders twitched against the sudden tightening in his muscles.
Sacrilegious.A human outsider performing shamanic rites?
“Havard, has my grandfather mentioned when a new shaman will be chosen from our priests?”
The older man jerked his head in the negative.
“Are you sure I can’t just slip in and sit with him?I promise not to disturb his rest.”
“No.”The scowl deepened.
If Havard won’t let me in, I’ll just go around him.
