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CHAPTER FIFTEEN - LEDA
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Queen CHAPTER SIXTEEN – CARLOTTA
That lazy fucking bitch. I swirled my index finger round the rim of my glass. I wasn’t sure if it had blood or wine in it anymore. Whatever it was, it wasn’t enough. And Sebastien had killed my favourite toy. Bastard. It’s been almost three months now. Adelaide doesn’t seem to have found a single thing. Every update I get, I’m told what it isn’t. I can’t placate my people on negatives! She is so fucking inconsiderate. So much for a ‘Chosen One’. Maybe this is all a ruse? Perhaps it was put in place by Bragi? Some infinite double bluff to make me doubt myself? She’s the first person to go into that library in decades and she can’t find whatever it is that’s killing my people?! I looked up as a warrior entered the throne room. He stopped mid-way across the room, a few feet from the edge of the dais where I sat. Then he knelt on his left knee, right fist across his chest. “My Queen” he stated, looking down. “Speak” I answered him He removed his helmet, and I would recognise th
Queen CHAPTER SEVENTEEN – LEDA
“Hello?” I stopped in the entryway to the library. Mathias just about fit in behind me, but he didn’t seem bothered by the huge boulder of a man perched on the chair by my desk. Boulder-man looked up at me and grinned. Well, I assume he grinned; most of his face was covered in a huge flame-coloured beard. But his cheeks went up, along with his moustache; his beard inching up his barrelled chest. His eyes seemed to twinkle as they took me in. He stood to greet me, bowing his head and I saw his hair, tied back in a French braid, was just as long and orange as his beard. “Hello” His baritone voice blasted across the room, despite his evident attempt to whisper. “It is an honour to finally meet you, Miss Leda.” “This.” Announced Mathias, striding across the room to meet the stranger, “is Lars Grimmor” he finished, just an eye-blink before two hearty slaps on the back rung out across the still room as the two men greeted each other. I smiled, Lise spoke highly of this Lars, and Ma
Queen CHAPTER EIGHTEEN – LEDA
“The library is far more impressive.” Rasmus’ voice cracked through the heavy silence. I couldn’t help it – the sob ripped from my throat; Lars opened his arms and I flung myself into them. There was a pregnant pause, then, a perplexed Rasmus spoke once more “I’ll...give you two a moment.” My face was buried in Lars’ barrel chest; his beard tickling my face, but I didn’t care. I’d immediately felt at ease in his presence. Now that made sense. I couldn’t see Rasmus; he’d sounded confused, but still, no footsteps indicated that he had left. “She is... Leda is... my niece” Lars managed to choke out as he stroked my hair with his spade-like hands. There was a sharp intake of breath. Then, silence. After a few minutes, I managed to retrieve my face from its hirsute harbour. Pulling myself away, I gave Lars a watery smile. He wiped the tears from my cheeks. “Neither of us are alone.” he whispered, poking my cheek gently upwards in an attempt to make me smile. I glanced ove
Queen CHAPTER NINETEEN – RASMUS
Pie. She said she loves pie. None of this shy, retiring, daintiness. No watching what you eat or being afraid of what others think of you. I suppose that was the curse of women from my youth. Things are different now. But pie. Such a simple food. A woman after my own heart. I smiled to myself. I’d asked Lise to bring her back here. Ostensibly there were some new documents in the library but having flicked through them I doubted they’d be of any use. I was determined to ensure Lars had ample opportunity to get to know Leda and build a familial relationship with her. And that was my only motivation, so I would keep telling myself. I wasn’t interested in Leda. Her being with Brandt was unnatural. I definitely wasn’t looking to take his place, that wouldn’t make any sense. That wouldn’t change, no matter how many times Lars or Lise teased me. “Boss.” Torstein was at the door; it was open, and I waved him in. He entered and sat down opposite me. I shuffled the various maps and pape
Queen CHAPTER TWENTY – LEDA
“What?!” “Yeah, so, his mother and my mother look almost identical. I thought they were taking the piss” I’d paused to look at Seb, who looked...angry? I wasn’t sure. “Are you ok?” I asked. He shook his head, as if to clear it “Yes. I – uh. Sorry, this is just a bit...well, a bit of a shock. I suppose I don’t need to tell you.” I nodded and Seb cupped my cheek, rubbing my scar softly with his thumb. Unlike when Rasmus did it, I wished he wouldn’t - every time Seb did, I remembered it was there. I’d had to tell my colleagues at the conference that I’d had an unfortunate run in with a rabid dog. I’m no good at lying, but I’d rationalised that one as not being too far from the truth. He’d smiled down at me and pecked me on the lips. He could be quite sweet. “Will you go to the library? I have some things I want to check out and then I will meet you there. I’m convinced you’re onto something, but I want to make sure before we make accusations of this magnitude.” I nodded, l
Queen CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE – RASMUS
“He’s up to something” I rolled my eyes, well thank you Captain Obvious. “Yes.” I answered, “But what?” “We still don’t know. But it seems Carlotta has softened.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Leda goes almost everywhere with Brandt. It would seem she’s allowed to leave the castle now – if he goes with her.” “Fucking hell.” I pushed the heels of my hands into my eye sockets. Then pulled them away sharply. Blinding myself won’t get rid of the sickening mental image of them being together. “If it helps” Torstein’s cautious voice came “I don’t think she’s in danger with him. He seems genuinely quite taken with her.” I scoffed, then gritted my teeth. “It doesn’t.” There was silence from Torstein’s end, and I sighed. “Find a way to accompany them. We need to know what he’s up to.” “Yes Boss.” I ended the call, just as Lars walked into my office. “You noticed Skytte lately?” He asked as he plonked himself down in the seat opposite me. “Should I have?” I asked, lookin
Queen CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO – CARLOTTA
“Uncle?!” “She accused them of playing her; apparently their mothers are the spitting image of each other. Her mother was, apparently mad” “Apparently?” “She was convinced Adelaide was special. Destined for something.” “She is.” I bit my lip. Magnus didn’t seem to recognise what this means, but if he’d got this from Seb then I’m sure he’s worked it out too. Poor, dear, dense Magnus. Fucking Adelaide Knox had resisted my attempts to befriend her. If she’s born from scorn and untouched by madness, then she needed me to bless her with death. But noooo. She knows best, little bitch. I’ll just kill her once she’s found the cure. She’ll soon learn the pitfalls of having a superiority complex. My plotting was interrupted as Seb crashed through the doors to the throne room, hauling a giant rag ball with him. He threw the ball at my feet where it unravelled into a snivelling wreck. He looked up at me; face covered in tears, bruises everywhere, including his hands, which he grasp
Queen CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE - LEDA
I should never have gone on that damned Berlin conference. Ever since I got back, things between Seb and I have changed. He was so supportive and gentle when I first told him. He held me for hours, only broken by him killing that man...I’m still not convinced that was necessary. Surely, he’d have had information we could use? Not all the victims had that poison in their systems, or, at least, not that the experts could find. Seb told me. But now, he pulls away from me. I can’t believe someone over 100 years old can’t deal with the prospect of death. I’m at a loss. Dr Vanum was so sure it wasn’t cancer. He’d run it twice because he was so shocked. I’m the first in my family to get this. Great. I should go see Lars. Maybe he would be better company, but I feel awful for getting this. He felt
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