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Valgertha was strong, but so was Ravenrath. Were we strong enough to defeat them?
“The Brotherhood offers their full support,” Aric added quietly.
“And what would be the price of that support?” I asked carefully. I watched him closely, wanting to ensure that he was being entirely honest with me. The bond between us gave me a window into his emotions, but I still would trust seeing that truth with my own eyes.
“Your loyalty. If ever needed, the Brotherhood might call on the assistance of your warriors. King Vageir was one of our supporters and we would like to continue calling Valgertha one of our strongholds as it has been for a very long time. We just want to ensure that it doesn’t fall to the nefarious clutches of the cult,” he answered. “I want to warn you. If the cult takes control of your city, it will mean that your people’s lives would be at stake. They don’t care if children and women are sacrificed. They would sell off those they deemed profitable, force those they didn’t into battle and use your forces for their own gain, over and over until there was little left of what Valgertha once was. Your traditions, your honor and loyalty to one another, that would all be destroyed.”
Everything about his words was sincere. He was genuinely concerned and afraid for me and my city but what touched me the most was his worry for my people. There wasn’t any mention of taking power for the Brotherhood, simply the protection of those who couldn’t protect themselves.
My people. The ones who roamed the streets of my city. The ones I’d fought with side by side all my life.
I stared into his eyes.
“Can I trust the Brotherhood to protect my people? They won’t do the very same thing as the cult would to them?”
“You can trust my word, Freya. The Brotherhood don’t engage in any sale of human individuals or needless death and we won’t ask for your support in battle unless it’s absolutely necessary,” he answered.
He didn’t look away. His tone didn’t waver. His body remained still. I reached for the connection between us, testing him and finding nothing that made me think that he was lying. Every single word out of his mouth was true. I could feel it deep in my bones.
“I believe you,” I said softly, and he took my hand in his. He pressed his lips to the backs of my knuckles, kissing me softly. I sucked in a heated breath at his touch, feeling the first tentative flames of desire deep within my core since I had awakened.
I did believe him. I trusted in the bond between us. Our link opened a line of communication that only an omega and alpha pair were privy to, allowing us to become one in the most complete sense.
“I will remain by you side however you wish me to. No matter what you need, I will support you,” he reassured me. I shook my head, coming to a swift decision on my next move.
“As soon as I am able, my people will prepare for a great feast like they’ve never seen. At that celebration, I am going to announce two very important things. One, that the city of Valgertha is to begin to ready themselves to go to war. Second, that their queen has chosen to crown a king to rule by her side,” I replied brazenly.
Aric stared at me, trying to hide the surprise in his eyes, but I saw it anyway.
“Will you accept the title of King of Valgertha, Aric? Would you protect its people like you would me?” I pressed.
“I would be honored, Queen Freya. You have my vow,” he answered. His fingers squeezed my own and I smiled.
“I’m glad, because soon, the two of us are going to war.”
* * *
In the next two weeks, Aric ensured that I had everything that I needed to heal properly. For pressing issues, my advisors came to me and he sat by my side. He didn’t make any effort to take over my role as I gave them instructions to begin storing as much excess water and food as possible or to ramp up weapon production. I adored him for it. He simply let me lead as I saw fit and it made me respect him all the more.
Once I had healed enough to get back to normal life, I started to direct for the preparation of the war feast. Massive amounts of food were brought in and orders for mead and ale were put in. In no time at all, the kitchen had begun their own preparations.
When the night of the celebration finally came, I dressed in my best red battle leathers, ensuring that the still pink scar of Thranar’s attack was clearly visible on my chest. The bruising at the side of my head had faded, but I braided my hair in a way that exposed the place where he’d hit me. By now, my people were more than aware that he had attacked me, and they would be looking to the feast to learn what my command would be. I painted my face with dark black paint. A dark line bisected my eyes, giving me an ominous look that would inspire fear in my enemies. I added an additional streak that painted the center of my lips that dropped to my chin. Lastly, I added a vertical line at the center of my forehead, completing the fearsome look. Once I was satisfied, I left my bathroom. I opened my armoire and lifted my sword from its hooks. I slid it into its scabbard at my waist and then slid my battle axe into place on my back.
I was ready to come forth as the ruler of Valgertha once more.
My people expected to be given the right to defend their queen. It was the way of the city. I was going to give it to them.
I emerged from my bedroom and walked down the stairs to where Aric was waiting. He was dressed in simple dark gray leather armor that looked regal on him. He looked up at me as I descended, his gaze one of awe.
“You look beautiful, Freya, like a magnificent flame of beauty,” he murmured. With my red hair and the dark burgundy of my leathers, I understood. “A fiercely beautiful and powerful queen.”
He offered his hand and I took it.
“A queen worthy of a king,” I said with a smirk.
“Indeed,” he grinned in return.
The two of us emerged from my chambers and descended into the depths of my castle. There was a pair of horses waiting for us just outside the entrance, dressed in their best battle regalia. I climbed on top of a black warhorse and he climbed on a dappled gray one of his own. The two of us rode into the massive gathering center in the city, where countless long tables and a royal stage was prepared for us all. I rode up to the platform and dismounted with grace, before climbing the stairs and taking a seat in the magnificent throne of human bones that had been prepared for such a special occasion.
