Page 74 of Of Thorns and Beauty

Sure enough, we follow the overgrown trail a few more meters and spill out into a small clearing with a narrow river running alongside it.

The king and Gunnar stand in front of it, their two hestrinn lapping up the water rapidly. Both men are facing me, weapons drawn.

The barest hint of relief washes over me, but I ignore it. I refuse to entertain the idea that I am relieved either to find him here safe or to find him in a man's company rather than Helga’s. Or any other woman’s. With everything at stake, it isn’t something that should matter at all.

But with all the secrets he keeps, hadn't I wondered more than once if that was one of them? And who would he trust to make this journey with him when he so clearly did not trust me?

My reluctant relief is short-lived in the face of Einar’s anger. He throws his axe to the ground, where it lodges itself in the frozen earth. Jaw clenched, he brings his fingers to the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut like he can will me away just by wishing it.

I tug on Gideon's reins, a little surprised and grateful when he actually stops. Despite Sarah’s lessons, I struggle to dismount him with my stiff legs.

I know mounting him again will be even more difficult, but it’s worth it to give my body a break. Once I convince him to drink alongside the other hestrinn, I finally look up at Einar.

The king's glance travels from my frustrated hestrinn to my chalyx, who is calmly removing debris from one of her paws, and finally to my face, which I have ensured holds not the slightest sign of remorse.

For all the times I have thought that his expression was inscrutable or difficult to read, I have no problem discerning it now. White-hot fury paints every single line of his face. From the corner of my eye, I can see that his companion is more flummoxed than anything, but I have eyes only for my husband.

The seconds tick by with only the whistling of the icy wind interrupting our standoff. Along with his rage, disbelief and what I could even swear is disappointment make appearances in his kaleidoscope of emotions.

But I don't back down.

After what feels like a lifetime, he runs a hand over his braided silver hair, acting for all the world as if I am nothing but an annoyance to him.

"Gunnar," he addresses the guard without turning his head. "Please ride ahead to the ambassador, let him know that I will be delayed --” He looks at me irritably. “For an indeterminate period of time."

"Right away, Your Majesty."

The man mounts his steed with a frustrating ease and gives a polite nod in my direction before he rides away at full speed.

I'm sure my husband would be thrilled if I would address him with the same level of easy acquiescence, but I'm afraid he has another thing coming.

Once Gunnar is well on his way, Einar begins pacing back and forth. The tension is rolling off of him in waves as he scratches his beard and shakes his head.

I roll my eyes before noticing that Gideon has stopped drinking and is staring at Einar’s movements. His ears are flicking back and forth, and his lip curls up. I follow his gaze toward my husband’s stomping feet making deep tracks in the snow and shake my head.

I remember what Sarah said about his disposition.

“You’re making him nervous. You need to calm down,” I say while stroking Gideon’s mane, making gentle shushing noises.

Einar stops and stares at me, righteous indignation clear on his features.

“Ineed to calm down?” He laughs, and the sound is wholly without humor. “What do you think you're doing here?"

"I told you I was coming with you." I inject a little extra nonchalance into my tone, because he may be furious, but he is not the only one.

"And I told you that you were doing no such thing."

I have already been forced to give the control in my life over to one person, and I will be damned if I give a shred of what I have left to him, even temporarily.

Gideon continues to huff, and even Khijha moves to stand between us.

"You may command your subjects, but you do not command me." My voice is quiet, with a lethal timbre I rarely let anyone hear.

But then, he pushes my buttons in a way few people do, and I am already standing on an edge.

Einar only shakes his head.

"And we're back to this.” He has the nerve to sigh. "Does everything come down to power with you?"

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