“Because she’s a dreamer,” Saga said.
“No,” Thyra hissed. “Get out! Get out!”
“Do I say something?” I whispered.
“Wait,” Saga replied. “You’ll know if it getsreallybad.”
I thanked the stars that I wasn’t a natural-born seer. My winter magic might have been volatile to start, but it seemed far more straightforward than Saga’s powers.
“By the gods, get out!” Thyra shrieked loudly enough for others to turn our way. “I will not let my mate die!”
“She’s found him,” I said. “I think it’s enough. That’s what she wanted.”
“Agreed. She’ll need time to calm down. Get her out.”
I removed the Crown from Thyra’s head, passing it to Saga before grabbing both of my sister’s hands. I wanted her to know someone was there when she emerged from the vision.
Her ice-blue eyes found mine. “He was in a cabin, and it was flooding, but he wouldn’t move. He was going to let the sea take him, and I had to watch!”
“Rhistel,” I put the pieces we’d seen together. “He must send Vale out to fight but kept Thantrel tucked away. It’s brilliant because it splits us up.”
“Rhistelisbrilliant.” Saga looked at her boots, spattered with mud that the melted snow had left behind. “He’s many other things too, most of them awful, but don’t underestimate his intelligence. Did you see anything else? Guards? Traps?”
“I was in the room right away. It worked so quickly. I didn’t think to look outside.”
“On the same ship as Magnus and Rhistel, if I had to guess,” I said. “I doubt they’ll be difficult to find.”
My sister stood, determination mixed with the faintest glint of murder in expression. “Well, once we find Thantrel and rip him out of the trouble he’s in, the king and prince had better watch their backs because I’m coming for them.”
Chapter 48
ISOLDE
The tang of salt teased my nostrils, quickening my pulse. On foot we would hit the coast within a half hour. Far less time if we flew. Which meant, our march under the cover of spruce trees was over. It was time to rise. I held up a hand.
Movement ceased, and when I turned, I found five hundred pairs of eyes watching me.
Exhaling, I removed my white fur cloak, a luxurious item that indicated my station. Thyra did the same and together we lay the furs on the ground. They’d kept us warm and protected from the wind while flying, but a heavy cloak would only help drag us to the depths if we were tossed in the sea. If we survived, we’d return for them.
I mounted Arava as Thyra got on Lasvin’s back. Together we rose in the air, still covered by the thick trees and the illusion, but high enough so those in the back could see me.
“From here we fly,” I said loud and clear as the pegasi made circles above the small army. My voice carried on the sea breeze, and my silver wings unfolded behind me. Thyra flew at my side. “This may be the only battle we face against House Aaberg and their mage allies.”
Stars, I prayed it was.
“This day may keep your families safe. Keep battles from your doorstep. Keep your pantries plentiful. All we need to do is win—and we have the advantage.” I pointed in the direction of the ships. “They don’t know we’re coming.”
“They believe Isolde and I will march to Avaldenn,” Thyra’s voice joined mine. “They think we’ll play bytheirrules.” She snorted. “Don’t they realize we’ve been making our own all our lives?”
Rebel fists filled the air.
“Don’t they know that when King Magnus killed our families and took the throne of Winter’s Realm, he damned so many? For decades he did not control winter, and thousands suffered. All for his pride. His egotistical desire.” Thyra’s chin lifted. “Don’t let the melted snow fool you. If King Magnus thought bringing it back would suit his purposes, he would. But we, my sister and I and all our people, will suffer no longer. We’ll take down the White Bear and bring justice back to this land. Together we’llallmake Winter’s Realm a place of dreams. A land that thrives alongside its people.”
Fists raised, and my heart lifted. While Thyra and I had the support of many lords, it wasn’t like we’d spoken to each and every person. That was an impossible feat.
Now, however, we could see the support on so many faces. See the disdain for the current monarch. In the rebel’s faces, I also saw a love for Thyra. And while I didn’t think they loved me yet, they respected me. I caught the same respect in the eyes of many others and marveled.
Maybe the fact we wielded shadows was not such a horrible thing? The news had been released and these people didn’t seem to care. Others like Geiravor and Yrsa had not either. But were they the rare ones? Or the many?
