TOVA It took most of the rest of the day to get Erik down the mountain. Despite his jocularity, he was sore and tired, and we had to take it slow. No one complained. We all knew how close we had come to losing our king. Some of the warriors had ridden ahead to make sure that the accommodations were ready for Erik when he arrived. When we finally made it off from the mountain and out of the trees, we were greeted with hundreds of warriors gathered around, cheering for their king. Erik sat straight upright in his saddle, waving and thanking them. I followed, a smile plastered on my face. Someone came to take Troi’s bridle and help Erik off his mount. Another warrior came to my side, but I waved him away. “I will take care of my steed myself, but thank you,” I said with a smile. He bowed deeply and disappeared. I watched to make sure Erik was being helped into his tent and relaxed when I saw Garth hurrying towards him, ready to settle him into his bed. I took my time wash

ERIKI dreamed last night. I dreamed of being hit over the head and dragged out of my tent. I dreamed of being back in the barn, afraid for my Realm, sure I was going to die. I thrashed around in my sleep, finding a soft body in my bed. In my blind panic I felt the need to be in control, to dominate. I climbed on top of the body and ruthlessly jammed my rod inside, pounding in and out, finding a release for all the fear and anxiety that was riddling my body. When I opened my eyes and my senses returned, I saw that Tova was under me, looking up at me with wide eyes, silent. I rolled off her in horror.Neither of us said anything for a moment and then I asked quietly, “Did I hurt you?”She paused a moment before answering. “No.” I could hear something else in her voice, but I was too far gone in my emotions to worry about hers in this moment. She lay very still next to me, barely breathing, waiting for me to make the first move or to break the silence. I considered things I c

TOVA The night was long. I spent it in Erik’s bed, but we didn’t talk nor did we touch. I spent most of it afraid he was going to roll on top of me like he did the previous night. He seemed calmer than when he left the tent, but he wasn’t back to normal. I didn’t know what was wrong. I was gathering chamomile for the sleipnirs when I saw Leila’s battalion heading to a nearby ravine to train again. I looked for Leila and didn’t see her, so I called out to one of her mates. “Where’s Leila?” I stood, holding the basket on my hip and shielding my eyes from the sun. “Interrogation,” he shouted back. “Who is she interrogating?” I asked. “No, she’s being interrogated,” was his reply. My blood froze. “Do you know why?” I asked. “The High King thinks she had something to do with him being taken,” was his reply. I dropped my basket and raced back to camp. I had to ask two warriors where the interrogation was taking place, but the second one was able to lead me to the tent. I wa

TOVAI wrapped my arms around myself and hurried to the river. I held my tears in; I wasn’t going to let Erik be the reason they fell. I climbed down the bank and took off my clothing, slipping into the cold water. I gingerly sat down, letting the cool water soothe my aching skin and body. I scooted deeper where the current was faster and let the rushing water gently massage my body. I lay back and relaxed.I realized that I was no longer scared of Erik or of my future. I was angry and I was tired. I was angry at Arne for putting suspicions into Erik’s head that didn’t belong there. I was angry at myself for putting myself in the position I was in tonight. And I was mostly angry at Erik for allowing the trauma of what he went through overwhelm him so much that he turned abusive towards me, the person who was trying to help him. And I was so tired. I was tired of being treated as an object to be loved or thrown away at a moment’s whim. I was tired of the damn prophesy being

ERIK I had sent the guard after Tova hours ago and he still hadn’t returned.  I felt a brief moment of fear, thinking that she had fled, but then that fear turned to anger.  The more I thought about it, the more convinced I was that she had left and the angrier I became.  I knew that the guards feared me too much to bring me the news, so I assumed they were hunting her down.  They would get her.  If she was teaching warriors to swim this afternoon, she couldn’t have gone far. The guard finally came back, nervously shifting his weight between his feet.  I sat back, waiting for a report. “Sir, we had trouble finding the Queen.  We were finally able to locate her.” I was curious where they finally apprehended her.  “Where was she?” “In the latrines, sir.” That was not the answer I was expecting.  I looked at him with raised eyebrows, waiting for him to explain.  He swallowed nervously but