Torn

“What is that about, by the way?” Loki asked, giving me a confused look. “Why are these trackers telling you what to do all the time? You’re almost Queen. You have dominion over everything. ”

  “I suggest you keep your mouth shut before I shut it for you, Vittra. ” Finn glared at Loki, and his eyes burned. Loki, for his part, didn’t appear even mildly threatened, and he yawned.

  “Finn—” I sighed, but I left the room anyway. I couldn’t talk to Loki in front of Finn, and I didn’t want to fight with Finn in front of Loki.

  “Not now, Princess,” Finn said through gritted teeth.

  As soon as I came out of the room, Finn grabbed the door and slammed it shut. I faced him, preparing to yell at him for overreacting, but he grabbed my arm and started yanking me down the hall.

  “Knock it off, Finn!” I tried to pull my arm from him, but physically he was still stronger than me. “Loki is right. You are my tracker. You need to stop dragging me around and telling me what to do. ”

  “Loki?” Finn stopped so he could glare suspiciously at me. “You’re on a first-name basis with the Vittra prisoner who kidnapped you? And you’re lecturing me on propriety?”

  “I’m not lecturing you on anything!” I shouted, and I finally got my arm free from him. “But if I were to lecture you, it would be about how you’re being such a jerk. ”

  “Hey, maybe you should just calm—” Duncan tried to interject. He’d been standing a few feet away from us, looking sheepish and worried.

  “Duncan, don’t you dare tell me how to do my job!” Finn stabbed a finger at him. “You are the most useless, incompetent tracker I have ever met, and first chance I get, I’m going to recommend that the Queen dismiss you. And trust me, I’m doing you a favor. She should have you banished!”

  Duncan’s entire face crumpled, and for a horrible moment I was certain he would cry. Instead, he just gaped at us, then lowered his eyes and nodded.

  “Finn!” I yelled, wanting to slap him. “Duncan did nothing wrong!” Duncan turned to walk away, and I tried to stop him. “Duncan, no. You don’t need to go anywhere. ”

  He kept walking, and I didn’t go after him. Maybe I should have, but I wanted to yell at Finn some more.

  “He repeatedly left you alone with the Vittra!” Finn shouted. “I know you have a death wish, but it’s Duncan’s job to prevent you from acting on it. ”

  “I am finding out more about the Vittra so I can stop this ridiculous fighting!” I shot back. “So I’ve been interviewing a prisoner. It’s not that unusual, and I’ve been perfectly safe. ”

  “Oh, yeah, ‘interviewing,’” Finn scoffed. “You were flirting with him. ”

  “Flirting?” I repeated and rolled my eyes. “You’re being a dick because you think I was flirting? I wasn’t, but even if I was, that doesn’t give you the right to treat me or Duncan or anybody this way. ”

  “I’m not being a dick,” Finn insisted. “I am doing my job, and fraternizing with the enemy is looked down on, Princess. If he doesn’t hurt you, the Vittra or Trylle will. ”

  “We were only talking, Finn!”

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  “I saw you, Wendy,” Finn snapped. “You were flirting. You even wore your hair down when you snuck off to see him. ”

  “My hair?” I touched it. “I wore it down because I had a headache from training, and I wasn’t sneaking. I was … No, you know what? I don’t have to explain anything to you. I didn’t do anything wrong, and I don’t have to answer to you. ”

  “Princess—”

  “No, I don’t want to hear it!” I shook my head. “I really don’t want to do this right now. Just go away, Finn!”

  I turned my back on him so I could catch my breath. I could feel him, standing behind me, but eventually he walked away. I wrapped my arms around myself to keep from shaking. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this angry, and I couldn’t believe the way Finn had talked to Duncan and me.

  Elora’s bedroom door creaked open at the end of the hall, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up to see her opening the massive doors, but I didn’t even bother to hide.

  The woman with the cloak stepped out, and she had her hood pushed down so I could see her face. She smiled at Elora, that same dazzling, saccharine smile she always had. When she saw me, the smile never changed.

  It was Aurora, and I had no idea why she’d be sneaking around with my mother.

  NINETEEN

  arrangements

  It took some convincing, but I finally managed to talk Duncan into staying. I’d found him practicing his resignation speech. He was terrified of letting the Queen or me down, but once I got him to see that he wasn’t, he agreed not to leave.

  I spent the rest of the day going along with every one of his suggestions, including that I relax quietly. Which meant, even though my mind raced a mile a minute, I had to lie still in bed and watch a marathon of Who’s the Boss? on the Hallmark Channel with Duncan.

  But the break was good for me. When I got up the next day, I still didn’t feel like I had all my energy back, but I looked refreshed enough for Tove to resume training.

  During our session, I told Tove about how I’d done mind-speak on Duncan, but it only worked when I was irritated. Using that logic, Tove spent most of the morning trying to irritate me into using it. Sometimes it worked, but most of the time I just got pointlessly annoyed.

  We were getting ready to break for lunch when Thomas came down. Since coming back to the palace, he’d been guarding Elora, and she had sent him to retrieve me.

  “So…” I began, filling the silence with small talk as we walked to her drawing room. “How is being back in the palace?”

  I looked up at him. His brown hair had been slicked down, making him look more like Finn, but there was something much softer about his features. The oddest thing crossed my mind just then, that he looked like a kept man.

  “It looked different when I lived here,” Thomas replied in the same cool way Finn always answered my questions.

  “Did it?” I asked.

  “The Queen likes to redecorate,” Thomas said.

  “She never seemed much like a decorator to me,” I said honestly.

  “People aren’t always what they seem. ”

  I didn’t have a response to that, so we walked the rest of the way to the parlor in silence. Thomas held open the door for me, and when I entered the room, I found Elora lying on a chaise lounge.

  “Thank you, Thomas. ” Elora smiled at him, and it might have been the most sincere I’d ever seen her look.

  Thomas bowed before leaving, but he didn’t say anything. I found something almost sad in that. Or would’ve, if I’d approved of my mother having an affair with a married man.

  “You needed to see me?” I asked Elora and sat down on the couch nearest to her.

  “Yes. I’d hoped to meet you in my study, but…” She shook her head and trailed off, as if I’d know what that meant. She looked worn, but not as bad as I’d seen her the other day. She seemed to be on the mend.

  “Have you made any progress with the Vittra?” I asked.

  “Yes, actually. ” Elora had been lying back, but she moved so she was sitting up a bit. “I’ve been in contact with the Vittra Queen. She’s quite fond of the Markis Staad for reasons that remain a complete mystery to me, but she’s willing to do an exchange for him. ”

  “That’s great news,” I said, but my cheer felt a bit forced. I was happy that Loki wouldn’t be executed, but I was surprised to find that I felt a bit sad to see him go.

  “Yes, it is,” Elora agreed, but she didn’t sound happy. She only sounded tired and melancholy.

  “Is something the matter?” I asked gently, and she shook her head.

  “No, actually, everything’s … as it should be. ” She smoothed out her dress and forced a thin smile. “The Vittra agreed to no more attacks until after the coronation. ”

 
“The coronation?” I asked.

  “The coronation where you become Queen,” Elora elaborated.

  “I’m not going to be Queen for a while, am I?” I asked, feeling nervous at the prospect. Even with as much training as I’d done lately, I still felt completely unprepared to rule. “Like a long while, right?”

  “Not for a while, no. ” Elora smiled wanly. “But time has a way of creeping up on you. ”

  “Well, I’m in no rush. ” I leaned back on the couch. “You can keep the crown as long as you’d like. ”

  “I will. ” Elora actually laughed at that, but it sounded hollow and sad.

  “Wait. I don’t understand. The King agreed to peace until after I’m Queen?” I asked. “Won’t that be too late to kidnap me?”

  “Oren’s always believed he can take anything he wants,” Elora said. “But he wants valuable things, and you’re far more valuable as a Queen. I imagine that he thinks you’ll be an even greater ally then. ”

  “Why would I be his ally?” I asked.

  “You are his daughter,” she said, almost regretfully. “He sees no reason that you won’t come around to his way of thinking. ” She looked up at me, her dark eyes distant. “You must protect yourself, Princess. Rely on the people around you, and defend yourself by any means you can. ”

  “I’m trying,” I reassured her. “Tove and I have been training all morning, and he says I’m doing quite well. ”

  “Tove is very powerful. ” Elora nodded in agreement. “That’s why it’s essential to keep him close to you. ”

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  “Well, he’s staying down the hall from me,” I said.

  “He is powerful,” Elora reiterated. “But he’s not strong enough to lead. ”

  “I don’t know. ” I shrugged. “He has good insight. ”

  “He’s scatterbrained and often irrational. ” She stared off at nothing for a moment. “But he is loyal, and he will stand by your side. ”

  “Yeah…” I didn’t understand what she was getting at. “Tove’s a great guy. ”

  “I am relieved to hear you say that. ” Elora exhaled and rubbed her temple. “I didn’t have it in me to fight with you today. ”

  “Fight with me about what?” I asked.

  “Tove. ” She looked at me like it should be obvious. “I didn’t tell you?”

  “Tell me what?” I leaned forward, totally confused.

  “I thought I just told you. A moment ago. ” Her brow furrowed, showing even more wrinkles. “It’s all going so fast. ”

  “What is?” I stood up, feeling real concern for her. “What are you talking about?”

  “You only just got here, and I thought I’d have more time. ” She shook her head. “Well, anyway, it’s all been arranged. ”

  “What?” I repeated.

  “Your marriage. ” Elora looked up at me, wondering why I didn’t understand what she meant already. “You and Tove are to be married as soon as you turn eighteen. ”

  “Whoa. ” I held up my hands and took a step back, as if that would defend me somehow. “What?”

  “It’s the only way. ” Elora lowered her eyes and shook her head, as if she’d done everything she could to prevent it. And considering how much she loathed Aurora, she probably had done everything she could. “To protect the kingdom and to protect the crown. ”

  “What?” I repeated. “But I turn eighteen in three months. ”

  “At least Aurora will be planning it all,” Elora said wearily. “She’ll have the wedding of the century ready by then. ”

  “No, Elora. ” I waved my hands. “I can’t marry Tove!”

  “Why ever not?” She batted her dark lashes at me.

  “Because I don’t love him!”

  “Love is a fairy tale that mänks tell their children so they’ll have grandchildren,” Elora said, brushing me off. “Love has nothing to do with marriage. ”

  “I … You can’t really expect me…” I sighed and shook my head. “I can’t. ”

  “You must. ” Elora stood up, pushing herself up with her arm. She steadied herself on the chaise for a moment, as if she might fall. When she was certain she was steady, she stepped toward me. “Princess, it is the only way. ”

  “The only way to what?” I asked. “No. I’d rather not be Queen than marry someone I don’t love. ”

  “Don’t say that!” Elora snapped, and the familiar venom returned to her words. “A Princess must never say that!”

  “Well … I can’t do it! I refuse to marry him! Or anyone, unless I want to!”

  “Princess, listen to me. ” Elora gripped my arms and looked directly in my eyes. “The Trylle already think you should be shipped to the Vittra because of who your father is, and that is all the ammo Aurora needs to get you overthrown. ”

  “I don’t care about the crown,” I insisted. “I never did. ”

  “Once you’re overthrown, you’ll be exiled to live with the Vittra, and I know that you don’t think the Markis Staad seems that bad,” Elora went on. “Maybe he isn’t. But the King is. I lived with him for three years, but when you were born, I left him, knowing what that would mean for our kingdom. But I had to leave him, that’s how bad a man he is. ”

  “I won’t go back to the Vittra,” I said. “I’ll move to Canada or Europe or something. ”

  “He will find you,” Elora said. “And even if he doesn’t, if you left, it would be the end of our people. Tove is powerful, but he is not strong enough to run a kingdom or stand up to Oren. The Vittra would attack and destroy the Trylle. He would kill everyone, especially the ones you love. ”

  “You don’t know that. ” I backed away so she wasn’t touching me.

  “Princess, yes, I do. ” Her eyes locked with mine, her sincerity unmistakable.

  “You saw it?” I asked and looked around the room for a painting. One that would show me the devastation that she’d seen.

  “I saw that they need you,” Elora said. “They need you to survive. ”

  I’d never seen her look desperate before, and it scared the hell out of me. I liked Tove, but not romantically, and I didn’t want to marry someone I didn’t love. Especially when I might love someone else.

  But Elora was pleading with me to do this. She believed everything she was saying, and I hated to admit it, but she had a compelling argument.

  “Elora…” My mouth felt dry, and it was hard to swallow. “I don’t know what to say. ”

  “Marry him, Princess,” Elora commanded. “He’ll protect you. ”

  “I can’t marry someone so he’ll be my bodyguard,” I told her quietly. “Tove deserves to be happy. And I would like a chance at it too. ”

  “Princess, I’m not…” She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her fingers to her temple. “Princess. ”

  “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to argue with you,” I said.

  “No, Princess, I…” She reached out, grabbing the back of the couch to catch herself.

  “Elora?” I rushed over to her and put my hand on her back. “Elora, what’s wrong?”

  Blood seeped from her nose, but it was no simple nosebleed. It was like an artery had opened up. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and her body went limp. She collapsed, and I barely caught her in my arms.

  “Help me!” I shouted. “Somebody! Help!”

  TWENTY

  dynasty

  Thomas rushed in first. I’d already lowered Elora to the floor, where she twitched like she was having a small seizure.

  I’d crouched down next to her, but Thomas pushed me out of the way to tend to her. I leaned against the couch while he attempted to revive her, praying my mother would be okay.

  “Wendy,” Finn said.

  I hadn’t even heard him come in. I looked up at him with tears blurring my vision, and he held out his hand to me. I took it, and let him pull me to my feet.

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  “Get Aur
ora Kroner,” Thomas told Finn. “Now. ”

  “Yes, sir. ” Finn nodded.

  He still had my hand, and he pulled me out of the room. He walked fast because time was of the essence. My legs felt numb and rubbery, but I pushed them to hurry.

  “Go find Tove or Willa. Even Duncan,” Finn said when we reached the main hall. “I’ll come and get you later. ”

  “What’s wrong with Elora?” I asked.

  “I don’t have time, Wendy. ” Finn shook his head, his eyes pained. “I’ll get you when there’s anything to tell you. ”

  “Go,” I said, nodding to hurry him along.

  Finn raced out the front door, leaving me in the hall, alone and scared.

  Duncan found me exactly as Finn had left me. He’d heard about Elora’s collapse from the other trackers, who’d gone into lockdown mode. I heard them bustling about the palace, but that was secondary. My mother might be dying.

  Duncan suggested we go up to my room, but I didn’t want to be that far away. I needed to be close in case something happened. We sat in the living room, and he tried to comfort me, but it was futile.

  Finn came back a few minutes later with Aurora, and they rushed down the hall. Her dress billowed out behind her, and her hair had come loose from its bun, blowing back as she ran.

  Garrett and Willa came shortly after. Garrett went down to check on Elora’s progress while Willa sat with me. She put her arm around my shoulders and kept reminding me how strong Elora was. Nothing could stop her.

  “But … what if she dies?” I asked, staring blankly at the unlit fireplace in front of me.

  The living room had a horrible chill from the icy wind beating against the windows. Duncan knelt in front of the fireplace. He had been trying to light a fire for the past few minutes.

  “She won’t die. ” Willa squeezed me tighter.

  “No, Willa, I’m being honest,” I said. “What happens if the Queen dies?”

  “She’s not going to die. ” Willa forced a smile. “We don’t need to worry about that right now. ”

  “I’ve almost got this fire lit,” Duncan lied to change the subject.

  “It’s gas, Duncan,” Willa told him. “You just turn a knob. ”

  “Oh. ” Duncan did as she said, and a bright flame roared up through the fireplace.

  Staring down at Elora’s blood that had gotten on my shirt, I was surprised to find how scared I felt. I didn’t want her to die.

  She always seemed so strong, so composed, and it made me wonder how much pain she was in. We’d met in the drawing room today, and she’d wanted to meet me in the study. She wasn’t well enough to move, I realized. She shouldn’t have been standing or exerting herself at all, let alone arguing with me. I’d made her already frail condition even worse.

  Why hadn’t she told me about how debilitated she was? But I already knew the answer. Her sense of duty came before everything else.

  “Princess,” Finn said, pulling me from my thoughts. He stood at the entrance to the living room, his face drawn.

  “Is she okay?” I jumped up at the sight of him, pulling away from Willa.

  “She’s asked to see you. ” Finn pointed toward her drawing room and wouldn’t meet my eyes.

  “So she’s awake? She’s alive? Is she okay? Does she know what happened? Did Aurora fix her?” I asked. My questions came out too rapidly for him to answer, but I couldn’t seem to slow myself.