The king’s eyebrows arched. “Lay a hand on what is mine”—he nodded at Anya—“and a price must be paid.”

“She is not yours.” I stared at him as levelly as I could, squared my shoulders, and spoke as I wished I could have in my own defense so many weeks ago. “Her people had the good fortune to reach Asgard, to seek protection from the Shield of the North, and you were gifted your only daughter in the process.”

Alfödr’s eyes narrowed. “And this is her rightful duty and obligation.”

I swallowed. “So say you.”

“Yes.” He stalked forward. “So say I, and in Norge, my word is law.”

We stood closer than was decorous or diplomatic, the king towering a foot overhead. His voice was low when he spoke again. “The Imperiya never ceases to feast, Seneschal-elect. It only grows quieter in the hunt. Was it only last week”—he glanced at Huginn, who nodded in assent—“last week, we received word that the Imperiya is moving from Varsinais-Suomi into the Åland Islands. They will use it as a beachhead, to gain inroads into Svealand to the west, and from there into Norrland and Götaland, and thence to our very gates.” His eyes were stern. “As long as the North is mine to guard, I can never forget, or grow complacent. Alliances must be maintained. Our strength must be gathered and waiting.”

“Anya is not an alliance. She is a person,” I said softly. “She loves you like a father, and she loves Skop. You can’t force them apart. You can’t force her to marry for this.”

“And yet, Seneschal-elect,” said Alfödr, “here you stand.”

I pressed my lips together.

Perhaps he was right. Perhaps Peter had been pressured into turning me down, so I could be sent away.

That didn’t change the fact that I was here, choosing his son, of my own accord. It didn’t change the fact that Anya had the right to do the same thing.

“I am not infrastructure. I am not a tool,” I said tightly. “I am a girl, and if my Council is backward enough to believe I cannot lead without a guide, at least I am neither a bridge nor a wall. And I will make my own choices, their mandates aside.”

“I am sorry to have offended your delicate sensibilities,” said the king, not looking sorry at all. “But in time, you will understand how things must be at Asgard.”

“That’s unlikely.” My voice was crisp. The king crossed his arms. I glanced at Torden and the other boys behind him and found them watching me, as pale and wide-eyed as if they’d found a wounded animal in the woods and it had begun to spit and snarl with no warning. But I couldn’t quit now.