Freya's POV
Our swords clashed harshly and I couldn't withstand the force, my weapon falling to the grass-carpeted floor with a dull thud. Breathing heavily, I picked it up.
"You have to make it an extension of your arm." Ishmael cautioned. "Not two parts, just one."
Nodding, I got into stance again. Apart from administrative roles, I planned to be a master of the sword and other forms of fighting as well, all things I needed to hold onto Adrien's spot until he was found. The locator spell was the same, with Adrien's location still unknown and I knew I was running out of time with the council members.
"Focus, Freya." Ishmael warned as he knocked my sword from my hand again. And who better to reach me than Ishmael who was excellent at it.
It was harder than I had imagined, I was a lady and I had never wielded a sword before but it was a task I was determined to overcome. So every day, I woke up and I went at it.
"Let's take a break." I panted out. He looked like he wanted to disagree but didn't.
We sat on a stump of a formerly large tree, drinking water and letting the cool breeze blow on our perspiration-drenched skins. In the distance, Ana and Cara played games with Killian while they waited for us. I focused my gaze on Ana who was casting glances at us now and then.
"I could forbid you from continuing your relationship with her." I stated firmly I still wasn't ok with the idea of Ishmael being with Ana.
"You could." He answered casually.
"Why her?"
"I do not know why, Freya."
"Ishmael, it could be anyone else, so why her?" He didn't answer me immediately, instead, he stared at the girl whose future I was trying to secure.
"Do you love her?" I asked directly, he had not told me exactly what I was looking to hear last time. "Is there a marriage in her future, as well as yours?" Ishmael remained quiet and his continued silence was grating on my nerves.
"Ishmael!"
"I do not know, Freya!" Ishmael's voice rose sharply, startling me. His eyebrow twitched uncontrollably and his mouth was pressed into a thin white line. I had never seen this side of him and it left me feeling unsettled.
"I don't know if I'm in love with her or if I wish to marry and spend the rest of my days with her." His voice was hushed but his tone spoke volumes. "What I do know is that she is a spark in this darkness that has become my life and I'm willing to keep and nurture it. So you could forbid our relationship, but that would not stop me." He vowed solemnly.
I sighed wearily. This still wasn't what I wanted to hear, I wanted a confession of love, of happiness, and a fairytale ending for my Ana. This was the beginning of a series of events that could either go very well or very badly.
Theirs would not be the first romance between a handmaiden and a man of status and I knew all too well how those ended; a broken heart for Ana, and Ishmael moving on to the next woman.
"Ana is dear to me Ishmael," I said softly. "Like a little sister and she is absolutely smitten with you. I really want to see her unhurt by this. Promise me that she will not be."
"There's no need to worry. I will be hurting whoever dares to hurt her, even if it's me." His earlier anger had left his face. "Now, let's make that blade an extension of your arm."
The entire afternoon was spent with me panting around the field, while Ishmael tailored my movements till I got good at it. After my noon session, we made our way back to the castle, with me, the maids, and Killian riding in the carriage, and Ishmael riding outside on horseback with the guards that had accompanied us.
Our arrival at the castle was met with the presence of an unexpected guest. After freshening up and switching my dress for another, I headed to the lounge closest to the gardens, Ishmael following closely at my side to receive Lord Lucian.
The floor-to-ceiling glass windows were sealed shut with the curtains pulled aside, their transparency offering a glimpse of the almost barren gardens just outside the lounge. We were almost in winter so it wasn't much of a sight and only a faint glimmer of life clung to the skeletal branches, a feeble attempt to defy the approaching cold. There was a slight chill in the air.
Lord Lucian lounged in one of the plush armchairs, his posture exuding an air of calculated relaxation. He was sipping tea with practiced grace from a kettle placed before him. Steam danced from the tiny cup as he placed it back on its saucer.
He stood immediately when he noticed my presence in the room. "Freya…" He drawled in his usual calm way, and I was immediately irritated.
"It is Queen Freya to you." I said sharply and sat. It had been a long while, but I had not forgotten the stunt he pulled at the last council meeting. Ishmael took his spot behind my chair.
Green eyes widened for a second before Lord Lucian contained that emotion.
"Queen Freya, it is." He smiled, taking his seat as well. The beautiful smile I used to be so pleased to see just irritated me some more.
I didn't want to play games with Lord Lucian. I knew he was here for something and the man I was finding out was as cunning as a nine-tailed fox. I had to be careful while tangling with him.
Remembering that I did need him on my side, to keep the council in cheek for a while, I forced my face and body to relax. Two could play.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Lord Lucian?" I asked politely, making sure that my words did not pass through gritted teeth.
"There's an important matter I would like to discuss with you," Lord Lucian paused for a second, looking at Ishmael. "And I would like for us to be alone for that conversation."
"Ishmael is my right hand, I would prefer for him to be present for whatever discussion we would have."
"Not for this one, Queen Freya. Please grant this request."
I weighed my options; nothing could happen that Lord Lucian would get away with and he was way smarter than that. If anything were to occur, Ishmael would be just on the other side of the door. There was no harm in doing things his way.
"Give us the room for a moment please." I communicated to Ishmael through our telepathic link—he had us create one so he could get through to me and me to him at any time. It was hardly ever used though.
"Freya, I do not think that it's a good idea." He replied.
"You'll be out in front the whole time, you would know if I need you." I sent back.
"I do not trust this demon; he is the hardest to read among them all."
"I do not trust him as well but we need him. For now at least." I answered glancing at the green-eyed demon, I understood all too well what Ishmael was concerned about.
"Alright, do not hesitate to call me immediately if you see the need for it."
The whole time, Lord Lucian waited for me to make my decision, feeling very much at home in my lounge. And without any word spoken out loud, Ishmael left the room.
"You may speak." I tried to force a casual tone, though tension coiled in the pit of my stomach.
"Have you made headway in finding the king?" He asked. I could not predict where this was leading.
"Efforts are being made, but there has yet to be any results."
"What if the king is dead?" His questions were getting me annoyed but I pushed it aside.
"The king is not dead." I answered calmly.
"Perhaps he isn't dead, but what about the possibility of him never being found?"
"Lord Lucian!"
"You still feel connected to him, I presume?" He questioned, sipping from his cup and ignoring my reaction.
"Yes, my husband is alive in my mind."
"Perhaps you only feel that way because you cannot let go."
"Lord Lucian, please state clearly where you're headed with this conversation." I cut in, I was quickly losing my patience.
"I propose a marriage," Ha announced. "I propose that you marry me, Freya."
I was rendered absolutely speechless. What did he think of that?
"Excuse me?" I uttered when I was finally able to speak.
"It is a good proposal, Freya, I hold a lot of sway on the council and I'm the only unmarried one as well. You still get to be queen, you'll keep your place, and I get mine." He leaned forward as he brought up more points about why this was a good idea. "Your son would be cared for too. I've been making arrangements, Freya, and taking care of some of the king's duties. If a new king were to be chosen, I am the most viable warlord. Marry me, my lady and It'll be a win-win for everyone." He finished.
I forced down the anger that was boiling inside of me. Was I just a trophy to be passed from one man to another? And it had barely been a year since Adrien went missing.
Though I understood that usually, power would have shifted long before this time but I was extremely pissed anyways.
"I have a husband, Lucian." I pushed through gritted teeth.
"No offense, Freya but I doubt that. The underworld needs this stability; the stability of a king and you have been given more than enough time. I am not the only one who thinks this." Lord Lucian parried.
If I thought of it logically, it was a very good deal. I didn't have a claim to the throne with Adrien missing and Killian being too young but I knew my husband was out there. I just needed to buy time for him.
"It is too early for this, Lucian and it is very abrupt. Give me time to make my decision." I whispered. The only way was to deflect and delay them.
"Of course, Queen. I do look forward to your response though." He murmured, his voice low and ominous. I responded with a stiff smile, masking the unease I felt within me.
Adrien was out there, but what if Lucian was right and he was never found? What if Lucian was actually the enemy I should be wary of and had made sure that Adrien would never be found? I had no way of knowing. I could only hope to reach my king sooner than later.
Where was Adrien when I needed him the most I cried in my mind while I tried to remain composed on the outside. Where was he?