The giant beneath the mountain has awakened after three centuries' slumber and devours some of my fathers' best men every morning. He will continue taking lives, one for every giant our ancient ruler killed to steal his land. But I know this ice gia...
Quinn snorts, waving her hand at me as she straps bandages over wounds and armor over the bandages. "How did you sneak past your nursemaids and chaperones, princess?"
"I told them Drago got out. And I told Drago there was a magic egg in the kitchens." She raises an eyebrow at that. "And I know about you and Zoya."
Quinn swivels on her heel, glowering at me. "What are you going to do? Have me arrested and flogged? Hate to tell you this, princess, but the kingdom's a bit too busy with the monster at their gates to focus on your haughty morals and hierarchies."
"No, it's not like that. I don't want—."
"Why are you here, princess?" Quinn towers over me, armor fully equipped. It's then I realize that I'm the one standing in a legionnaire's quarters while the rest of her squad is in the mess hall. Even worse, I'm in a courageous squad leader's quarters, the best of our fighters. Sure, she'd be executed eventually, but not without ending me first.
I take a deep breath. Alarica protect me. I pause a moment, remembering what Alarica had told me in that strange vision I had. How mortals always pray for justice and retribution before they go for the pacifist gods. And Mother Metis and Father Ardo too.
"I told you. I want to see the giant."
Quinn shakes her head, raising her eyes to the ceiling. "I knew they said you were fanciful, always telling fairy stories about the old gods that only our grandparents remember. But I didn't think you were this foolish. I won't help in your death wish."
"I'll tell the Faegar family of your intentions. They'll marry Zoya off right away. You'll never see her again."
Quinn tugs her loose chestnut hair back, pulling so tight that the plaits seem to stretch her skull. "Blackmail. You really are like your father."
"Otherwise, I'll negotiate so Lord Kazmer marries Zoya. I can do that, if you just help me speak to the jötunn."
"I'm sorry, how is arranging Zoya's marriage to someone who isn't me going to help?"
I cross my arms over my chest with a smirk, mimicking Leif when he knows he's won. "Because Leif Kazmer is my lover. Everybody wins. I'll even arrange for Zoya to adopt a newborn from a struggling village family so the Faegar family leaves her alone about consummating the marriage."
Quinn's eyes widen in understanding. "You'd do that for us?"
"If you do this one thing for me."
The legionnaire takes a long, agonizing moment to look me over and consider my offer. Eventually, she holds out her arm and I clasp it to mine, wincing at how strong her grip is.
"Fine. I'll give you armor to borrow. But, first sign of danger, and I get you out of there. And you don't rat me out. This was entirely done on your own, understand?"
"Ad mortem." I reply, "to death."
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Like and comment if you want to visit the Idriolan gods in Valhalla.
So. What are we thinking of this tentative truce between Quinn and the princess. Yay or nay?
