The warmth of the solar was a welcome contrast to the lingering chill that still clung to the halls of the keep. Soft golden light from the hearth spilled across the stone floor, mingling with the muted hues of tapestries that told stories older than memory. Aya stood by the long table, nursing a cup of wine in her hand, when the door suddenly crashed open.
"Aya!" Juno burst into the room, nearly tripping over his own boots. His arms were laden with books and scrolls, half of them threatening to tumble to the floor.
Aya caught one before it fell and raised a brow at him, hiding a smile. "By the spirits, Juno. Are you running from the scholars again?"
"They wanted me to recite the lineage of the Third Age from memory!" he cried dramatically, dropping his burden onto a chair. "All of it!"
From behind him, Elex's amused voice drifted in. "The horrors of education."
"Have mercy on me, Sister," Juno pleaded, giving her his most pitiful look.
Aya ruffled his hair, to his loud protest. "Go, little raven. Finish your lessons, and I'll steal you away to the stables later."
"Promise?" he asked, bright-eyed.
"Promise," she said.
Grinning widely, Juno scooped up his books and darted off, nearly colliding with Asta as he entered the room. Asta caught him by the collar and gently shoved him toward the door, muttering, "Mind your feet, princeling."
The door thudded shut behind Juno, leaving the three older Northerners in a moment of easy silence.
Aya exhaled a long breath. "He's growing too fast."
"He has time yet," Elex said, moving to pour himself a cup of wine. "We do not."
Asta leaned against the table, arms folded, waiting for Elex to continue speaking.
"We should speak plainly, Aya," Elex said, after a short drink.
Aya set her cup down with a soft clink. "About the South."
Elex nodded. "Their King — Killan — has asked for an audience. He rides himself instead of sending envoys. That speaks of either desperation, respect, or... ambition."
Aya sipped her wine, then muttered, almost to herself, "I've met them."
Both men turned sharply to her.
"You what?" Asta asked, pushing off from the table.
Aya gave a shrug, nonchalant but unable to hide the faint irritation coloring her cheeks. "I met them on the road to Vetasta. They got lost on their way trying to find shorter routes to the capital. They didn't know who I was, of course. Nor did I intend to meet anyone important — I was only... wandering."
"Wandering," Asta repeated dryly.
"And now I regret it," Aya said, setting down her cup harder than necessary. "Had I known their business would involve me, I would have turned the other way."
Elex leaned back in his chair, a small, almost proud smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "By chance or fate, it is well you crossed paths with them. It gives us the advantage of knowing their faces before they know yours."
"And you were able to see what kind of men they are," Asta added, though he still looked half a breath away from dragging her into the nearest tower and locking her up.
Aya sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I saw them, yes. I spoke with them briefly. Nothing that would betray who I am."
"Good," Elex said, the satisfaction clear in his voice.
"And if nothing else," Asta muttered, "at least we know they aren't beasts in men's skins."
Aya gave a low chuckle. "Yet."
The flicker of humor between them softened the room's heavier air, but the lull was brief.
Elex leaned forward again, resting his forearms on the table, the casual lightness draining from his expression. "Still, their arrival changes much. Especially for you, Aya."
Aya arched a brow. "Me?"
"It is time we speak plainly," Elex said, casting a glance at Asta, who gave a reluctant nod. "Their King has not come to admire the northern snows. He comes with purpose — and part of that purpose is you."
Aya groaned, reaching for the wine again. "Here we go."
Elex chuckled under his breath. "You are the Head and Ruler of House Svedana. It is time to consider marriage, little Sister."
"He's right, you know," Asta said reluctantly. "If it were a—"
Aya turned her head to glare at them, effectively putting a stop to Asta's words, one hand already gripping the wine bottle. "You both know that in my heart I love you, but right now I want to throw this wine bottle at you."
Asta shrugged. "By all means. But you should know, I've gotten better at dodging."
Elex chuckled. "He has."
Aya rolled her eyes and refilled her cup.
Elex's smile faded a touch. "I have tried marriage, Sister. It didn't end quite well for me."
Her expression softened. "I'm sorry."
Elex waved it off, though his eyes carried old sorrow.
Aya drank her fill before replying. "Still... have my brothers marry and have children before me. Maybe you should do that too, Asta. Give me joy to look after your sons and daughters."
"We are not talking about—" Asta started, but Aya cut him off with a raised hand.
"My brothers would sit on the Northern Throne before I even consider marriage, so do not waste your time."
Elex's voice was low, but firm. "We, the men, are only Wardens. The rulers of the North have always been the women of our House. And there's only you, Aya. No one else."
Aya pressed her lips together tightly. "Is there really no one else? Is it just me left?"
Asta's jaw tightened. "Mistakes have been made when a man sat as our Ruler. We do not wish to see it happen again."
"With marriage, we know what they want, don't we?" Aya said bitterly.
"Yes," Elex said without hesitation. "On top of our military and gold, we all know what else there is."
Aya set her cup down, the wine inside trembling slightly with her hand. "My powers are sealed, and I cannot have children. You both know why. I don't see the point in marrying someone under false pretenses."
A heavy silence fell.
Finally, Asta spoke, his voice quieter. "Maybe it will be good if we hear them out. Let them decide after you tell them the truth."
Aya looked between her brother and cousin. The firelight flickered against their faces — loyal, steady, bound to her in blood and oath.
"Alright. I'll listen," Aya said at last, though a knot twisted in her chest. "But I make no promises."
"That's all we ask," Elex said, relief barely touching his features.
Outside, the day continued, and the North — proud, fierce, and ancient — held its breath.