“I don’t know what I was thinking, letting you bring me here,” I say, my tone gone as brittle as the ice chips beneath my feet. “I hope you’re happy. You’ve just proved how much of a fraud you truly are, and now we’re at the end of the world for no reason.”
My anger runs frigid and cold.
“This isn’t my heart’s desire,” I say again, spinning around to gesture to the ruins. “Why did you bring me here? This is a shattered and severed land that has no hope of ever becoming what it once was.”
Just as I have no hope of ever becoming what I once was.
A throat clears behind me, making me go rigid. “Actually, Your Majesty, that’s where you’re wrong.”
I whirl around at the new voice, eyes flaring wide at the two men standing before me.
The first thing that stands out to me is how thoroughly ill-fitting they are in this forsaken detritus, because both of them are impeccably dressed. As if they aren’t in the middle of ruins but ready to step into some sort of royal celebration.
The second thing I notice is the men are nearly identical. A thick curtain of hair down to their shoulders, the same height, even the same stance. The only difference I can pick out between them is they each have moles dead center in the middle of their cheeks, yet on opposite sides of their faces.
“Who are you?” I ask, taking a startled step back. That sensation of being watched comes back full force, making the mist in the air seem denser as it curls near my side.
“I am Friano, and this is my twin brother, Fassa,” the man on the left says, the corresponding mole on his left cheek. “We are pleased to make your acquaintance, Queen Malina Colier.”
I glance warily at Pruinn, but he’s simply watching me with an encouraging look I wish I could slap right off his face.
“How do you know who I am, and what are you doing here?”
Friano grins, showing a row of perfectly even teeth. “You are the queen of Sixth Kingdom. Of course we know who you are. Tales of the beauty of the Cold Queen have stretched even here.”
My brows lift in surprise. “Are you saying that youlivehere?”
They both nod in unison, and this time, Fassa answers. “We do, Your Majesty.”
“How is that possible? No one can live here. This place is utterly desolate.”
“Ah, yes,” Fassa replies brightly. “Brother, if you could...?”
“Of course.” With a nod, Friano lifts a finger in the air and spins it around, and like a wave rippling through our surroundings, the castletransforms.
Within moments, gone are the ruins, and in its place is Seventh Kingdom’s castle restored. Slick gray walls, dazzling blue windows, and black marble that’s whole and polished beneath our feet. What was the stripped off bones of a cavern is now a revived and elegant entry hall.
It’s like a timepiece turned backwards, reversing all the damage that had been done and returning this place to its rightful glory.
All I can do is gape as I try to take it all in, my mind not quite believing my eyes. “How...?”
“We have been waiting for you, Your Majesty.”
I rear back, looking between the two of them before my gaze hooks into Pruinn. “Did you know they were here? That this would happen?”
“I knew that we would findsomething,” he says before tapping on the pocket of his coat where I can see a hint of the rolled-up map. “I always trust my magic.”
Bewildered, I look back at the twins. My hands automatically run down my wrinkled, stained dress. They’re standing here looking fresh, while I’m begrimed and sloppy, my normally perfect hair a tangled twist at the back of my head. “Why were you waiting for me?”
They share a look, matching grins gathering on their faces. “Because we have prayed to the gods for a rightful heir of Orea to help us restore Seventh Kingdom to glory, and they brought us you.”
My mind snags on his words, a jolt of hope burgeoning from my weary limbs. “What are you talking about?”
Fassa comes forward and gently takes hold of my palm, like a noble would just before kissing it for good graces. He doesn’t raise my hand to his mouth though, and instead holds it, his own hands feeling far too warm.
Or perhaps I’m far too cold.
“You are the answer to our prayers, Your Majesty. You are the queen this land needs. You coming here proves it.”
