“Ice spiders can get quite big, can’t they?” Anna asked, her voice wobbly.
“They can,” Caelo replied. “They start as small as frostflies but over the course of their lives, which can be hundreds of turns long, they can grow as large as white bears.” He cleared his throat.
“Can you talk to them, Caelo?” Anna asked. “Reason with them if we find one?”
The knight gave her a sympathetic smile. “You could speak with an ice spider yourself. They’re not normal animals, however, so I doubt any of us could reason with them.”
“Which is why we best get moving.” Vale turned his horse forward.
Our foursome continued on our way, but not before I cast another glance behind us. Though the sensation of bone deep, bitter cold leaving a void in me was gone, I couldn’t help but think there was a different vibration coming off the rocks, something dark and powerful in the air.
I hoped I was wrong, and if I wasn’t, I prayed that it didn’t follow us.
Amidst the trees and creatures of the dense forest, somehow the coldness of the rock lingered, if only within me. Everyone else seemed to have forgotten the experience within minutes of it happening. Finally, sick to death of thinking about it, I decided to make the announcement I’d been holding close to my heart.
“So,” I began, thankful for the cover of pine boughs, which somehow felt like a comforting blanket, “I’ve been doing some thinking and have an announcement.”
The road through the trees was large enough for us all to ride side by side, so the others glanced over.
“Such an important tone! Should we roll out a golden carpet to hear it?” Anna teased, and as I’d done so often in childhood, I stuck my tongue out at her.
Vale and Caelo chuckled, and Anna grinned.
“No carpet necessary,” I retorted, secretly glad her jest had loosened me up a little. “Soon I’ll officially claim my name—Isolde.” It still felt odd coming off my tongue, but the moniker, more regal and powerful than the one given to me by a vampire, was growing on me.
“Shall we call you that from now on?” Caelo asked.
“No!” I blurted. “Not yet. Maybe when we reach Riis Tower, I can send out a proclamation and the Riis brothers can secretly distribute it in Avaldenn? I don’t want to rush it in case we need to return to Avaldenn for some unforeseen reason. I might also like to wait until I have the Scepter. Though I’ve been considering when the best time to do so will be for days, I’m still not sure. All I know is the timing has to be right, or we’ll be in danger.”
Luccan’s gateways meant we’d be able to speak to theRiis brothers more often. I looked forward to it, and to seeing Clem again.
Vale hadn’t looked at all surprised at my talk of me claiming my name, and thus a crown. He’d known of the war waging within me, just like before our mate bond snapped into place, I’d been sure he’d been battling feelings of unworthiness. We’d both allowed the other space to work through their thoughts and feelings.
“I’d ask, when I make things public, that you three be my council.”
Though it had been many days since I fantasized over living a simple, free life, deep inside me remained some lingering nostalgia for that dream. Once I announced to the world who I was and what I intended to do, I’d never be free in the way that I’d once dreamed. I’d be royal, a queen—that was, if I defeated King Magnus, who I was certain would not step down without a fight.
“At Gersemi Mine, I said I’d be in your queensguard,” Vale spoke first. “I meant that.”
“I know you did. And I appreciate that, but you’re my husband, my mate, and it is only fitting that you will be my king consort. That’s quite enough, don’t you think?”
He laughed. “I suppose so. I’ll defend you with my life, anyway. I meant it when I said until the stars fall.”
A lump rose in my throat, and I reached out a gloved hand, taking his and squeezing it before letting go.
“Caelo?” I asked.
“I’m more suited to a queensguard than an advisory position.”
“I’m not sure I agree,” I replied. “But isn’t the head ofthe Clawsguard an advisor? Aren’t they on the Royal Council?”
Sir Caelo could be more than a sworn knight. Heshouldbe more, for his many gifts were too valuable to waste and they would be shunted aside if he were to be merely a guard.
“The head Clawsguard is an advisor,” Vale affirmed. “And Caelo would be perfect for such a position.”
A blush crept over Caelo’s dark skin. “You two honor me.”
“Accepted?” I asked.
