Roar did not seem worried. Rather, his smug smile grew. “I want more.”
“More than your freedom when I have called for your treasonous head?”
“Indeed. I will keep my lands and title. I will also hold an advisory position to the Crown.”
The skin on the back of the king’s neck tightened. Only information about the rebels—the location of where they stayed—could be so valuable to him.
“Lastly, I wish for a formal betrothal and quick wedding to your daughter—Princess Saga. Within a moon, I’d like to be wed.”
Ire stirred in the king’s chest. The day Saga had been born, many debated over who she’d wed. It didnot matter if she turned out to be the most powerful of his younglings and hence, the heir, or not. A princess was always a valuable piece of a king’s power.
House Lisika, the only surviving member of which was young Lord Roar, was a natural suggestion, but King Magnus had never cared for the great house of the west. He used them, oh yes he did. Any king worth his crown would leverage their mines and large army. But trust and admiration never struck his cold heart when he thought of House Lisika. So the White Bear had spurned Lord Roar as a husband for his only daughter, despite the Snow Leopard Heir being a reasonable choice.
“Ifit is important enough, I will entertain your requests.”
The warden sipped again, unbothered by the fact that he should not be here. That the king should have already killed him. “Well, Majesty, I bring the gossip of the century. After all, it’s not every day one learns that Isolde Falk is alive and well.”
Chapter 5
VALE
DAYS LATER
My thighs ached, and snow pushed down into my boots as I plowed through the deep drifts.
It should be right around the next curve of the mountain.I craned my neck and stared up the mountainside.Or was it the next?
I cursed myself. Had I paid better attention in classes as a youngling, I’d remember precisely where the entrance to the old Mining Kingdom of Dergia was located. But I’d always been more preoccupied with current threats to Winter’s Realm over long forgotten and dead kingdoms. Particularly long-forgotten kingdoms, which were so far away from Avaldenn, the beating heart of Winter’s Realm.
However, through my many frustrations, I allowed myself to take a small measure of heart. Ihadmanaged to get us this far. With Caelo’s help, and a bit of luck, we’d found the ancient, unmarked road cutting through the forest and leading deep into the mountains, to the place where theRed Mist Range and the Ice Tooth Range intersected. To the guest entrance of Dergia, or so it was said.
The Doors of Eitriod have to be coming up soon . . .
Caelo approached, careful to walk close to me and within my footsteps. The pathway into the mountain range had clearly deteriorated with the passing turns. On one side, a steep cliff promised certain doom to anyone who was not vigilant with their footing.
“Animals walk the peaks above,” Caelo said. “Goats, I think, though I can’t be sure. They were far away.”
“Good.” At this small mention, relief bloomed inside. “That means there’s food somewhere, and the humans can hunt.”
“And water is near too.” My friend angled his head back to the crowd. “Should we rest? Some are lagging. Neve and Anna are having difficulty keeping them motivated.”
I twisted to take in the group. Since the nøkken attack six days back, we’d lost five more souls, all to the cold.
The humans had not been conditioned to walk across Winter’s Realm. Nor had they possessed the best attire. For one hundred and forty three people to have survived the cold alone was a miracle. That gave me hope for them, that they truly could live out here alone and safe and free. Maybe, if they survived for a while on their own, I could send aid. I’d already been considering whom among the earth fae I knew would be skilled enough to make this journey and would be trustworthy enough to keep the humans a secret. The list was short—consisting only of a soldier I’d fought alongside many times, and a fae living in the Tower of the Living and the Dead.
“They can stop, but I’ll keep going,” I said to Caelo. “I wish to see around the next bend.”
“What happened to being extra careful?”
I knew precisely what he meant. The risk of other creatures in this area was slight, but present. We worried, particularly, about the dwarves.
Some dwarves had refused to integrate into the greater Kingdom of Winter. Those small clans roamed the mountains nomadically, like orcs, trolls, and giants, though they were not a nuisance, so the Crown of Winter did not bother trying to subjugate or fight them. However, it was not out of the question that they’d reclaim old mines to use as temporary camps. Stepping into their territory would be an aggression.
“What happened to following your prince’s orders?” I retorted and immediately cringed. Days of travel, periods of hunger, and constant peril had me on edge, but that was no reason to talk to my best friend, a brother of my heart, in such a manner.
A testament to our brotherly bond, Caelo didn’t apologize, but arched a brow. “You can’t bring up the prince card when it suits you, while also lamenting privately that you’re not good enough for Neve. That you’re only suited to be a part of her guard.”
“I know,” I whispered, which seemed good enough for him because Caelo turned around and held up a hand.
