That evening the great hall of Ashford was shut once more. Torches burned low against the stone walls. Shadows crawled over carved pillars. The long table was crowded again with the Kenwools, but unlike the earlier council, laughter was gone. Even the servants had been dismissed.
Only family. Only conspiracy. Lord Fabio stood at the head of the table with Robert's sealed note in his hand. He did not sit.
He let the silence ripen..Then he dropped the parchment on the table. It slid across the polished wood. Every eye followed it. Fabio looked from one face to another. "How," he asked slowly, "does King Robert expect us to convince Drexo's brother to betray Drexo?"
No one answered. The question hung there like a blade. Impossible, absurd, and even dangerous.
Festus folded his arms. Fen stared into the torchlight. Felicia drummed her fingers. Even Friya, who usually met tension with iron, looked uncertain.
Then Felix rose. His chair scraped the stone. "There is only one of us he can listen to."
Heads turned.
Fabio narrowed his eyes. "Who?"
Felix lifted a hand and pointed at Frida. She looked up, and met his gaze. A faint smile touched Felix's lips. "He likes her." The room shifted. Felix pressed on. "If Frida befriends him…"
He paused.
"…she may be able to move him."
Fabio turned to his daughter. A father, a strategist, a gambler.
All at once. "Get to it immediately."
Frida bowed, not flustered, not surprised..As though she had already considered it. That evening the corridors of Ashford were quiet when she moved.
Soft steps. No wasted motion. She stopped before Theon's chamber, and knocked. Once, then twice. Inside, silence stretched. Then his voice echoed. "Who is there?"
Frida smiled before answering. "Lady Frida, my lord."
Silence stretched: a long one. Then the lock clicked. The door opened. Theon stood there in loose evening robes. His eyes widened. He looked genuinely caught off guard. "You would not speak to me yesterday." He leaned against the frame. "And today you stand at my door?"
Frida only smiled. It was a dangerous smile, yet light, and harmless looking. The kind that concealed teeth. "I wondered…" She tilted her head. "…if you would like to watch the stars with me."
Theon stared. His first instinct was refusal. She had mocked him. Dismissed him, and walked away from him yesterday.
Now this? His pride resisted. But another voice stirred. A softer, hungrier voice.
Come on man… this is your chance.
He nodded. "I will." Then he added with a crooked smile, "If you won't be rude like yesterday."
Frida did not answer. She only smiled again. Theon stepped back inside, and changed into a finer robe. His pulse had quickened. He hated that, yet loved it too.
When he emerged, Frida waited. Moonlight touched her face. For a second he forgot speech. They walked through the royal gardens in silence. Night insects sang..Sea wind moved through the trees. Then they sat beneath the open sky. Stars spilled above them.
Frida lifted her face to them.
Still, and almost sacred. But Theon was not watching the stars. His eyes remained on her.
Too long, too openly. She did not turn. Yet she spoke. "I can feel your eyes on me."
She paused. "Why are you staring?"
Theon looked away, then back. "You are beautiful." His voice lowered. "Which man in his right senses would not look?"
Frida smiled. Softly, and almost shy. "You are handsome too."
That startled him. She turned toward him. "One I would have desired to love." The words hit him hard.
He stiffened. "You would have?" His brow furrowed. "What stops you from loving a man like me?"
Frida lowered her gaze. Then raised it slowly. "The Kenwools only marry kings."
She paused for a beat. "Or wardens." She held his eyes. "It is unfortunate…"
She paused again.
"…that you are neither." The words landed clean. Like a knife with no flourish.
Theon froze.
Something old and hidden stirred in him. A wound, an emptiness.
Frida saw it. Pressed no further. Instead she softened. "I am sorry if I offend you." Her voice was almost tender. "I am only honest." She touched the grass lightly. "I want titles for my children."
A whisper. "A castle for them to live in." Theon's jaw tightened. For a long time he said nothing. Then suddenly he stood. Too abruptly. As if remaining seated would expose too much.
"I enjoyed the evening." His voice had changed. "But I should retire."
Frida nodded: graceful, and controlled. "Thank you for sitting with me." He turned and walked back toward the castle. Never once looking behind.
But Frida watched him go, and smiled. A cold little smile. "He is emotionally weak." She whispered it. Almost amused. "I will get the job done."
She rose, and returned to her chambers.
That night Theon did not sleep. He turned, rose, and sat. Then paced. He repeated the routine multiple times. Frida's words stalked him.
Neither king nor a warden.
Again, again, and again.
His fists clenched. He stared into darkness. "I have no title to leave my children." The thought disgusted him. He had always lived beside greatness, served greatness, protected greatness. But owned none.
Drexo had a crown, Kingdom, and legacy to pass on. What did he have?"
A sword. A borrowed name. Loyalty to a brother. Suddenly those things felt small, very small. His teeth ground. For the first time in his life ambition rose inside him. Not as a thought, but as hunger.
By dawn he had not slept.
Morning light spilled over the gardens. He stepped outside. And there she was, Frida again stretching beneath the sun like the first time he approached her. As if fate had placed her there. He walked straight to her. No greeting, no hesitation, but words rushed out. "I will become a Warden."
Frida turned. Her brows lifted. He stepped closer. "And I will come back for you."
Her smile widened. She looked delighted. "I love that." Her tone was silk, then softer. "But be fast." She stepped near enough for him to smell her perfume. "Beautiful women like me…" She leaned in. "…do not stay single long."
Theon nodded, almost fiercely. As if swearing an oath. Then he turned and walked away. But every step felt changed. He knew he held no claim, no province, no seat. To become Warden would require ruthlessness. But he believes if he beg Drexo enough, he might give it.
Frida watched him disappear beyond the hedges. Then smiled, slowly. Triumph sat in her eyes. "The job is done."
She rose at once, and moved towards her father's chambers.
When she got there, she knocked.
From inside Fabio's voice came. "Who is there?"
"Father, it is Frida."
"Come in."
She entered, and closed the door. Then bowed.
Fabio watched her closely. "Well?" Frida lifted her chin. "I have played my part." She moved closer. "Give him the offer now." Her smile deepened. "He will find it difficult to resist."
Fabio leaned forward. Interest sharpened. "What did you do to him?"
Frida laughed softly. A dangerous sound. "I have my ways."
Fabio stared at his daughter. Then smiled too. Slow, knowing, Predatory. Outside, the sea crashed against Ashford's cliffs. But inside, a betrayal had begun to breathe.