Frigga

Doris informed Frigga the next morning that Razi had been reassigned to hard labour outside. Razi had mentioned during their morning in town that her workload had increased a lot and that she’d would be shocked if she still had a job in a week. It was her aunt’s doing and it was being done to keep Razi away, but Frigga was going to figure out a plan and end this if it was the last thing she did.

She’d have to face the penalty and she had an approximate idea what it was; it was going to affect her cognition in some way. Losing her ability to think or remember wasn’t something she was willing to risk, so she would have to find a way to make that threat less likely or less lethal.

How to do that, however, was easier hoped for than done. Frigga spent the next day in the library, but every tome she opened dug her into a deeper and deeper pit. With every glyph, every sigil she came across, it was abundantly clear there was no tampering with this contract once it was struck, not by her anyway, her aunt had made sure of it.

Frigga had three options: she might fulfill her promise and then run, but that was months down the road and Sapphire might force her into another arranged engagement by then or send Razi away; she could run with the mark still burned into her skin, but her aunt would activate the contract’s penalty the second she was missed; or she could break the contract and then run. The last was the only viable option, and she needed to do it as soon as she could. Every day she was in the house made her suffer, especially because her mind was made up.

After hours of flipping through arcane texts, Frigga decided she would try and appeal to her aunt. Sapphire was the only one who could alter the contract’s terms, after all. It wasn’t likely to work, but maybe her aunt didn’t understand just how much this was damaging her? If Frigga worded her appeal properly, perhaps there was a way they could come to an understanding. 

She looked to the door that led to Sapphire’s office as she put her argument together. Every time she’d brought the topic of not being Heir up before, her opinion had been brushed aside without consideration. She needed to have a solid case for this to have any chance of working at all. Her aunt was proud, intelligent, and a natural leader, but she was also Frigga’s family. She could try appealing to that, point out how her own distaste for leadership would harm the coven long-term. Or she could even try and convince Auntie Sapphire the contract was no longer necessary, pretend to have warmed up to the idea, and have her aunt dissolve it which would allow her to run off afterwards. She could even feign interest in one of the other coven members to solidify the ruse. Would her aunt believe that? Maybe, if she led with it. The only person she’d visited over the last three weeks had been Rosalind. Not a great option considering how much her aunt distrusted their family, but their recent aid at the meet might have soothed some of her distaste. It being so unexpected could even make the ruse more credible. Frigga and Rosalind had never spent time together privately, so suddenly connecting after doing so made sense, more sense than suddenly developing feelings for someone she already knew well. It would be so very awkward if Rosalind ever learned of this, but if it afforded Frigga the ability to run, they would understand.

She inhaled deeply, stood from her seat, and walked to the door. She wasn’t ready, but she couldn’t delay so she knocked and was immediately invited in. Frigga put on her sweetest face; if she was going to do this, she would do it perfectly. “Sorry to interrupt you, Auntie.” Frigga stepped in as quietly as possible, looking in her aunt’s direction.

Sapphire sat at her desk, books and documents scattered around the large surface along with her drafting tools. There were order forms from town, a diagram of a circle or two, and other such sorts of important things. “Nonsense! How are you feeling today?” she replied, shuffling the knitted shawl around her shoulders. Her tone and expression were filled with such genuine concern, Frigga’s heart swelled with hope.

“Much better, thank you. I nearly feel back to myself today.” She sat in the chair across from her aunt, and kept her posture immaculate, her eyes on Sapphire’s. “I had hoped to discuss something with you, if possible.”

Sapphire nodded as she replaced her pen in its holder. “Of course, Dear.”

Frigga cleared her throat to try and appear a bit nervous, not that the nerves weren’t real. “You might know I visited Rosalind Bloodswell yesterday?”

Her brows hiked in surprise. “Did you?”

“I did. I wanted to consult them about the effect that the current retrograde is having on energy flow, which is something I’ve come across in my texts but couldn’t find the details of.”

Sapphire’s surprise tempered and she gave a polite nod. "I hope it was a productive visit?” That tone was exactly what Frigga had predicted: syrupy sweet, overly cautious, sanitized.

“It was. They clarified a lot for me, and I was surprised how helpful they were.” She paused and bit her lower lip with a small smile. “And I was also surprised… oh this might be silly.” Sapphire’s smile hollowed. “But we got along very well. They were much warmer to me than I’d ever seen them.”

The Head of Household let a beat of silence pass, but her polite smile was gone. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re trying to imply.”

Frigga looked down at the floor. Gods, this was difficult, almost excruciating to say. “I thought, seeing as my engagement fell through, I might get to know other Heirs of the coven, and Rosalind-.”

“Let me stop you, Dear,” Sapphire cut Frigga off, walked to Frigga’s side, and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I know you were not happy about your betrothal to Marcus, and I commend you in this endeavour, I do. I’m glad that you’re finally embracing your responsibilities.”

“I-” Frigga tried to pile on that thought, but Sapphire interrupted her.

“And of course, marriage within our coven is ideal, but I have to say that Rosalind is not someone I can, in good conscience, approve of.”

“Why not? They’re from the second family, they’re a good match for me magically, they’re-“

“I’m still not convinced they’re unlike their mother, Frigga. If anything, their involvement in her downfall convinces me they’re more like her than they let on.” Sapphire motioned for Frigga to sit with her in the plush chairs by the fireplace. “What is this really about?”

Frigga took a deep breath and followed her aunt while trying to maintain her positive affect. It was time to ask. “I’ve been doing some soul-searching, and I realized you’ve been right this whole time. I was being selfish and ungrateful and… and I think being Coven Leader would suit me. Actually, I think I’m even looking forward to it! I don’t even think this,” she motioned to her contract seal, “is necessary anymore. And, if I’m going to be leader, then I’d better do it well, right? I can’t think of a better way to show my commitment than resolving the differences between our families. I wouldn’t want people to think I’m doing it merely because I’ve been threatened into it.”

Her aunt’s eyes narrowed. “Is that so? That’s quite the change of heart.”

“I’ve had a lot of time to think.”

Sapphire stood and rang the bell for tea, apparently anticipating a long conversation, and Frigga’s heart sank when she saw her aunt was unconvinced. “So what would you have me do? Allow you to marry someone who may have had a hand in harming your brother? Someone who is uninterested in any form of socializing and wouldn’t be capable of continuing our family line?”

Frigga’s stomach twisted. “But they would be capable of strengthening the coven’s arcane resources and magical understanding, and think of all we could accomplish if our two families’ magic were to come together? And why must I be solely responsible for the family line? I could adopt an Heir as you have.”

Sapphire sat back in her seat. “Perhaps.” she paused. Frigga’s heart pounded in her chest. “I am glad you’ve come around, Dear.”

She was redirecting the conversation and Frigga had the sickening inclination Sapphire still wasn’t swayed. She hesitated, her mind grasped for something to say, something that would earn her aunt’s trust. “Just like you said I would. You know best, as always.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Frigga winced internally. Flattery? Really? Her aunt was too cunning for such crude manipulation methods.

Sapphire frowned, nearly imperceptibly, but it was enough to pierce Frigga’s courage. “What are you doing?”

Frigga tilted her head. “What?”

The woman stood and walked to the window silently, her hands gripped together in front of her. The breath in Frigga’s chest froze, the air in the room began to hum, and the tick of a clock rang out much too loud. “Frigga, I don’t like being lied to.”

“Auntie, I’m not lying to you, I really do-“

“Frigga.” The older witch’s tone was sharp and icy, and Frigga had never been on the receiving end of it before. “What are you doing?”

Frigga tried to grasp at some kind of cover, something to say to persuade her aunt. She’d been figured out, but she had to keep trying. “I told you, I’m trying to fulfil my duty,” she squeaked out.

The light orbs flickered, the room’s intensity grew, and Sapphire stared out the window at something outside. Her Heir Apparent remained frozen in her seat. “Frigga,” finally she turned from her spot to look at her niece with violently angry blue eyes. “You have one more opportunity to tell me what’s going on voluntarily before I make you.” The locks on the door clicked shut.

Time for plan B: begging.

Frigga looked away from her aunt into the fireplace and gripped her hands together. “I’m… I’m so unhappy, Auntie. I can’t do this and it will never make me happy.” Her voice softened, barely louder than a whisper. 

Sapphire stayed where she was and Frigga did not look at her. “And so you thought you’d trick me into dissolving your contract? To what end?” She received no reply. Frigga would not answer that question and her aunt was clearly not going to be fooled. Instead, a long pause followed, broken when Sapphire calmly walked back to her niece to stand in front of her. “Well?”

Frigga stared at the floor. Sapphire would wait all day and Frigga was pinned to her chair, intimidated by the weight of her aunt staring her down. She had to say something, but what? “Do you think the coven would thrive under a leader like me?”

“You were raised for this.” Her volume increased and Frigga’s heart pounded so loud she could hear its banging.

“I don’t want it, Auntie.”

“You agreed to it.”

“I didn’t have a choice.”

“Correct.”

Frigga’s eyes started to burn, threatening tears. “But I do have a choice.”

“And what is your other option? To run off and leave your family and coven, without you? You wouldn’t last a week out there, you don’t know how the world works. This is your home, this is your life, and you’d give all that up for what? They’d tear you to pieces, and you’d let them do it, would thank them for it after because that’s who you are. You need my direction, Frigga, because you just can’t understand that the world will use you until you shrivel. Stop entertaining such nonsense.”

“There is no way I can lead this coven.”

“And you would put Leland in your position?”

“It would be his decision, as it is mine.” Sapphire was silent. Frigga continued staring at the floor, though the anger radiating from her aunt was still immense. She would try her final approach. “Auntie, I… I know you want what’s best for me.”

More silence, but the tension softened. “Yes, but I can’t throw out all our hard work over some cold feet and some sort of idealized delusion. I have your future to think about as well as the future of our coven.”

Frigga nodded. “I know you have a lot to consider when it comes to the coven, and I know you’re not trying to hurt me.” She looked up at Sapphire. The woman’s expression was guarded but not as harsh as it had been a minute ago. “I love you, Auntie. I’ve only ever wanted to make you proud.”

Sapphire sighed and her guard visibly lowered. “I love you too, Dear. Of course I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “I know it’s unconventional, but can we postpone everything? It’s better to delay than cancel, just to be sure it’s the right fit?”

Sapphire glanced back towards the window. “It’s not unheard of, and I want do you to take on the role of Heir when you’re ready.”

Frigga’s heart skipped a beat. Did this work? Had she done it? “And perhaps Leland might show up to be an even better option in that time? Or he’ll even decide he wants to be the Heir? Better to have a leader that actually wants the position, right?”

Sapphire did not reply right away, and the hesitation made Frigga nervous. She seemed to be considering Frigga’s words carefully. “It would, I suppose, be only fair to give him a chance as well.” She paused and looked back at her niece softly. “Do you still wish to pursue a courtship with Rosalind Bloodswell?”

Frigga wasn’t sure how to reply, she hadn’t anticipated the topic coming up again. “Oh, um… I suppose not. I would still like our families to resolve our differences but… well, they seemed more interested in the seal on my arm than actually conversing, so perhaps we keep it professional for now?”

“You spoke about the contract with them?”

The ice in her tone returned, and Frigga realized she had misspoke. With Sapphire’s deep knowledge of the contract’s energy-based roots, it wouldn’t be difficult to discern why Frigga might consult with Rosalind on the matter of contracts if she were trying to escape. The floor of her stomach disappeared as the room’s temperature dropped again. “Oh, um, n-no, they just happened to see it, I think?”

Sapphire’s eyes narrowed and her lips thinned into a tight frown. Her hands glowed a faint light blue. The air shivered. “They were interested in it, were they? In what way?”

“Oh, i-its components and-“

“And a way to dispel it, perhaps?”

Frigga’s skin blanched and she held her breath. The clock’s ticking sounded again, the air was thick with fury and the promise of retaliation. A memory flashed through Frigga’s mind: Her aunt had dealt with a suitor of Gina Crestfall’s, and he had been found out to be using her to abuse the coven’s resources. Sapphire hadn’t hurt him herself, but nobody saw or heard from him once he’d left the manor until a week later. Her aunt had merely said those types of problems hung themselves out to dry eventually. 

He had been found dead in his basement a week later, hanging by the neck.

In Frigga’s silence, Sapphire regained her composure, her face returned to neutral and the glow of her magic receded. “Well, Frigga, if you think you’ve cracked how to dissolve our contract, you’re welcome to try seeing as you’d rather sneak around behind my back than discuss these matters with me.”

“No, Auntie, of course no-“

“And,” she leaned in a bit closer, the lights flickered again, her rage nearly visible around her, “if you’d like to run off with that vampiric parasite, or anyone else, I suggest they never show their face here again. It’d be a shame if someone went missing.”

“Auntie, please, don-“

The lights dimmed and Sapphire’s rage began to manifest as electric blue static peeling off her in waves. “This coven depends on me and my decision is final. You’re going to respect that.” She roughly clamped Frigga’s right arm with a faintly glowing hand, her nails digging into the faint brand that lit up blue at the touch. “This isn’t going anywhere and you are going to follow through with it. If I hear any more about this foolishness, if you put one more toe out of line, I will lock you in your room and bind your magic until the day of the Heir ceremony, understand?”

Tears ran down Frigga’s cheeks as her body shook with her terror. She desperately searched her mind for something to say but came up empty. It was all she could do to try and steady her breath, which was rapid and shallow, and repress the whimpering as nails dug painfully into her arm.

There was a knock at the door and Stephan’s voice asked to come in. Sapphire released her Heir Apparent and straightened, the remnants of her aggression gone in a heartbeat. A click came from the doors’ locks and the lights flickered back to life. “Yes, come in.”

Frigga stayed silent, tried to recompose herself, but when the door opened and Stephan came in with the tea Sapphire had ordered not ten minutes earlier, she bolted out the door to her room. What had she been thinking, mentioning anything about Rosalind’s assistance? Of course she would figure it out, and now Frigga had just made everything worse! Judging by Sapphire’s words, Razi was now in serious danger and it was all Frigga’s fault for being so careless.

She crumpled onto the bed and curled into herself, hyperventilating while her heart beat like a rainstorm. Never had she experienced wrath like this. Frigga always did her best to keep peace, to compromise, but in this there was no compromise. Not only would Sapphire force her to follow through with the contract, but should Frigga actually try and run, Razi could be killed. Hell, Razi could be killed now. They needed to leave as soon as possible then, but how? There wasn’t time, there wasn’t a lead, she had nothing!

She focussed on slowing her breath: in through her nose, out through her mouth. She tried to feel something soft, to ground her consciousness, and her racing pulse gradually calmed. Her breathing slowed, and she focussed on the silkiness of her comforter. Somewhere outside she heard birds chirping. Her body still trembled, she felt like she’d run into town and back, but her thoughts became readable again. She’d failed. Badly. And she was out of ideas, but there was no way she was going to give up now.

The day after her attempt to beg Sapphire out, Frigga locked herself in the library and her search continued. Before she could make much progress however, there was a knock on the library door. Gertrude poked her head in. “Excuse me, Miss Thorneheart, you have a visitor.”

Strange, she hadn’t received a notice someone would be by today. Frigga didn’t want to see anyone, but she needed to draw as little attention to herself as possible and declining a visitor would definitely attract Sapphire’s attention. “Fine, bring them here.” She’d have a single cup of tea and then make up some excuse to cut the visit short.

Except that plan flew out the window because Rosalind had come to call.