A Queen Named Victory

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ingrid recognized my calls, yet she ignored them. She pretended to be entirely consumed by the flickering flames as if it had her under its spell. Her beau (the Icy-Shit-King) sat beside her, oblivious of our one-sided argument.

"She's not taking the hint," I observed.

"Because she does not want to take it."

A fox Vanatyr, named Tillie, joined us. She glimmered herself to look like the fairy I knocked out while Lupa took on the appearance of the second guard. They adorned the fairies' white cloaks and ivory crossbows. Lupa disapproved of the fairy attire. She stretched the ends of the willowy cloaks with her hands then said, "Decorative self-sabotage. No wonder they're so weak."

"It's our lucky day," Tillie said as she admired the crossbow's mechanics.

They guided me back to the center of the group. Ingrid's smile reached me first, followed by a glance from Ivar. "Ready to feed the fire?" Ingrid asked as she readjusted my fur cloak. She tousled my hair, which was normal for Ulf. I pulled myself away from her affections.

"I heard the pipit singing."

"Oh? They have lovely songs, don't they?"

"Did you hear it too?" I laced my question with an accusation. "Or are you purposely ignoring it?" I glared at my sister, then at Ivar. The fairy king looked back with sharp, pearly eyes enveloped by silken lashes. He looked creepy.

Ingrid answered, "What put you in a sour mood, Ulf? You were happy a moment ago."

"I had time to reflect while I was taking a piss," I waved my hands to our present company. "One minute we're home having dinner with Grandma, then out of nowhere this afi," I pointed at Ivar, "arrives to steal us away? I don't have a good feeling about this. I mean, Iggy, they hurt the guards in Geriset." She stared, horrified by my sudden claims while Ivar raised an eyebrow at his new nickname. I bet that was a first for him.

"What is wrong with you?! Stop being rude. I will not have you being so disrespectful to these kind people."

"Kind? Kind people?" I laughed at her. "They're uptight prudes who think fancy robes are appropriate for combat." I spoke louder for the rest to hear, "These are ugly and useless!" I tugged on Lupa's cloak, ripping it in the process. "Good people don't severely injure guards. Especially soldiers who were protecting us. Are you blind? We are captives. I can't wait until Sigrid-"

"Ulf!" Ingrid shrieked abruptly. She rose with shaking hands and effortlessly dragged me by my wrists to the forest. What kind of captors allows their victims to move about freely? I bit my tongue, but the tart taste did not go away. "I don't know what has gotten into you, but this...whatever this is ends here now. Do you understand?" she chided.

"Who are you to tell me what I can and cannot say? I don't listen to liars."

"Why are you acting like this?! You never say such things."

"You lied. Sigrid did not send us on a pleasant journey. Why are they stealing us away? Don't tell me you're doing this for that man?" I held her wrist to stop her from slapping me.

"You think he loves you?"

"Shut up!"

I rolled my eyes and wondered aloud, "But why did you drag Ulf–I mean–me into this? I was happy in Geriset."

"Happy?" Her harsh laugh stung more than a slap in the face. Were they unhappy? They had everything. Ulf tasted foods from magical lands far away. Ingrid had an entire estate to do with as she pleased. She had free roamed under our protection in Geriset.

"This is the best way out for the both of us."

"Siggy protects us," I argued. My sister yanked her hand away from my grasp and rubbed her wrist. She eyed the reddened claw prints on her skin. Tillie joined us.

"That was easier than I expected."

"Ulf?" Ingrid questioned. "What? What's going on?"

"This is for your own good," I answered as I motioned Tillie to take my sister. She covered Ingrid's mouth as she forced her back into the fog's cover. Ivar may not be the wisest, but he was not a fool. He will suspect foul play, and by then we would be long gone. I returned to fetch Lupa. My muscles pained from the third illusion spell in a row.

"I'm sorry for my brother's harsh words," I apologized meekly. "He...he wants to go back." Ivar sat in silence. How did she interact with him if he acted this...distant? After some consideration, he nodded.

"Thank goodness, may I take a guard to guide us back?"

"No."

"But he's too young to go alone. There could be bears out there, or monsters," I protested. "Please let me make sure he gets there safely." No response. Sitting next to him chilled me.

"I'm afraid he'll freeze to death. It's so cold out."

"May I ask you a question?"

"Of course," I said through chattering teeth with a prompt reassuring nod to Lupa. That was the distraction she needed to get out. I focused on the flames to avoid Ivar's icy gaze. He stared for an unnatural amount of time. His touch made my stomach twist in disgust, and for a moment, I yearned for Grendel. I missed the way he grazed my shoulders or rested his hand on my thigh. Uncertainty cast a heavy shadow. He overlooked my deformed eye the first time.

Would he do the same for the rest of my body?

"You're too distracted," Ivar's cold voice sliced into my worries.

He gripped my face as if he were going to kiss me. I naturally pushed away but his hands remained on my chin.

"You said you had a question?" I reminded.

The urge to claw out his eyes threatened my thoughts. How dare he lay a finger on Ingrid? She was lucky I took her place. His cold touch traveled down my neck. Don't kill him. Don't kill him. Don't kill him. His hand gripped my neck with incredible strength. He used one hand alone and managed to completely constrict my airways.

"Where is she?"