Tove woke feeling groggy, as though she hadn’t really slept at all. Her neck was sore and bandaged tight, and the instant she began to sit up in bed a figure dashed out of the room, leaving the door wide open. She heard a knock at a neighboring door, and a few seconds later Hrollief came strolling into her room, looking as though he had a rough night, but with an uncharacteristic grin on his face. Tove saw the figure of the maid behind him before the door closed, leaving them alone together again. He sat down in a chair beside her, looking almost too happy to sit still. His uncharacteristic joy made Tove uneasy, but it was also endearing; she had never seen him express so much emotion, and it made him less intimidating to see him like this. She opened her mouth to speak, but felt her throat seize up almost immediately. Hrollief’s grin faltered for a moment.

“Your throat will take some time to heal, but the physician has a mix of herbs that should help with the pain and swelling.” He grasped her hand in both of his. His hands were rough and warm, and made her realize just how cold she was. “You did a brave thing taking that collar off, not to mention trying to fight the demon by yourself. I had no idea you were so skilled with a sword.” He laughed, and she giggled silently. “I suppose you were sent to kill me though, no doubt your father ensured you knew what you were doing.” They both stopped laughing, Tove’s thoughts roaming to her father and sisters. She knew how to free them now, but she also knew that they had to be willing to part from their demons. All of her sisters had been following along with her father’s plans for years, long before she had been born even, and parting from their demons would be no easy task. She met Hrollief’s gaze, and knew he understood her thoughts. “I promise you I will help you do everything we can to help your family, but some may be too far gone to help. Freeing a soul from a demon is no easy feat, especially for those who have been under their influence for such a long time.” Tove nodded.

They sat and listened to the fire crackling merrily in the fireplace, enjoying each other’s company. Her head felt clear, her body light, and her life peaceful. Finally, Hrollief broke the silence.

“I suppose I should go retrieve some food, and then there are a few things I must attend to. You must rest, and I will come see you when I can.” He rose, hesitated a moment, then kissed her hand, his lips lingering there. He released her and gently set her hand back down beside her. She looked up at him, an odd feeling rising in her chest when she looked into his pale blue eyes, and acted on a whim. She grabbed hold of his arm, pulled him closer, and kissed his lips. He seemed shocked for a moment, but then leaned into her, kissing her deeply.

They held the kiss for a long and tender moment, each of them enjoying it. Hrollief pulled away first, a loving look in his eyes. He stroked her face, kissed her forehead, then turned and left the room, a spring in his step. He smiled at her before he went through the door, then disappeared. Tove’s whole body was warm and she couldn’t stop smiling. A few minutes later the cook came bustling in, a hearty tray of food in her arms and a broad grin on her face.

“So glad to see you up and awake ma’am,” she set the tray down in Tove’s lap and coaxed her to eat. “I know you won’t be able to speak for some time, but that does not mean you can’t eat. You need to get your strength up after that ordeal.” She gave Tove a motherly look and sat down beside her, watching as Tove ate her warm stew and bread slowly, easing her throat back into its normal routine.

* * *

The next few weeks passed without incident. Tove continued to heal, making slow but steady progress, while Hrollief made several trips out to his strongholds along his border with Tove’s father, and King Hagen picked as many fights as he dared. After Hagen had a few close calls with Hrollief, the old king gave way and stopped trespassing on Hrollief’s land, though he did keep heavy patrols along their border. Three days after Hagen gave up on pressuring Hrollief, one of his carriages wound its way up the mountain and to the front gates of Hrollief’s castle, Tove’s father’s banner waving in the wind. Hrollief strolled out into the courtyard and spoke with the driver, noticing that the man wore a thin band of gold about his neck, and a thick darkness was wrapped around him.

“Greetings King Hrollief, my lord has sent me to bring his daughter, Princess Tove, home, as no peace arrangements have been made she has no need to remain here any longer.” The man gave a crooked smile, and Hrollief grimaced. He didn’t like the look of this man, or his way of speaking. It was far too oily for his taste.

“She may leave whenever she wishes.” Hrollief folded his arms and stood staring at the man, waiting for his next move. The driver met Hrollief’s eyes for as long as he could bear, then looked nervously towards the entrance hall. Hrollief glanced towards the doors and saw Tove descending the steps and coming toward the carriage. She was fully healed now, and had only faint scars left on her neck as a reminder of what she had been through. Hrollief noticed that the snow piled up in the courtyard was almost taller than she was, and it made him smile.

“Greetings Titus, so wonderful to see you again.” Tove said as she approached them. The man called Titus smiled at Tove, and Hrollief watched him closely. “I assume my father sent you to take me back?” Titus nodded and jumped down from his seat and into the snow, opening the door to the carriage while motioning for her to enter inside. Tove merely smiled at him and took hold of Hrollief’s arm. “I am sorry to say that I am not going back to my father’s kingdom, I am staying here.”

“Surely you are mistaken my lady, your father insists that you come home.” There was a dangerous tone to his voice that set Hrollief on edge, and his hand strayed to the hilt of his sword. Hagen must have been counting on controlling Tove using her demon.

“I am not mistaken, I have no intention of returning to my father’s kingdom. I have renounced his way of life, so let him know I intend on staying here.” Titus look bewildered, but after a long pause he seemed to realize that Tove wasn’t leaving with him, so he shut the carriage door and climbed back up into the driver’s seat. With a last bewildered look at Tove and Hrollief, Titus flicked the reins and the horses took off, flicking snow back on the path as he disappeared beyond the gates of Hrollief’s courtyard.