Another bid for attention, I imagine, Torden had said that one night, when Aleksei had shown up in the Imperiya uniform.

He’s determined to shock, if that’s what it takes to get Pappa to notice him.

What else would Aleksei do to make Alfödr see him? Who else would he betray for his approval? And what would Aleksei do if, despite all his best efforts, Alfödr never looked at him the way he looked at his blood sons? If he never belonged?

Would he seek to belong somewhere else?

Torden swallowed, looking troubled. “I wish you had stayed in the woods.”

“I wish you had said something!” I put a hand to my forehead. “How could you just stand there while your father spoke to Anya that way?”

“What would I have said?” Torden asked, bewildered. “I did what I could. I warned them. But our konge is not to be questioned. He commands, and we obey.” He cleared his throat, lowering his eyes. “Like Pappa said, you’ll understand, someday.”

I blinked at him, thinking of Daddy. He hardly ever raised his voice, and even at his angriest, I’d never seen him lay a hand on anyone. I’d envied these boys their powerful father.

Now, I just wanted to see mine.

“I don’t think a lifetime here could convince me,” I finally answered, “let alone a few more days.”

Torden stilled. “A few more—” He seized my shoulders, and my pulse sparked. “Selah, I am falling in love with you.”

Despite the night’s disaster, his words were a firework in my heart. “I’m falling for you, too,” I whispered. “I want you to come to Potomac with me.”

“Of course.” Torden gathered me into his arms, his heart hammering beneath my palms. “Of course we can go to Potomac for a little while before we—before anything happens. I have to meet your family.”

I wanted to melt in his arms when he bent to kiss me, but I held up a hand, and he paused. “Go to Potomac—for a little while?”

He wet his lips. “If we get married, it could be there, even.”

I met his anxious eyes and shook my head, hardly hearing his tacit proposal. “Torden, I have to live in Potomac. Permanently. You know that, right?”

Torden paled, freckles stark against his bloodless cheeks. “What are you talking about?”

“My father’s sick, and I’m worried about him. I don’t trust my stepmother. Besides, I’m seneschal-elect. I’ll be seneschal of Potomac someday.” When he didn’t reply, I kept babbling. “I got lucky. I thought it was lucky you took Týr’s place, because you’re only fifth in line, you’re not— Torden, what is it?”

“Daughters are not heirs to the throne in Norge.” Torden sounded strangled. He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I had no idea.”