Her eyes darkened. ‘It’s about time.’
‘Prepare the soldiers,’ he said, stepping back from the window. ‘We depart in two days’ time.’
The following morning, Alarik woke early and went straight to his war room to look over his final battle plans.
He was still half asleep when he stepped inside, and so, for the briefest moment, he thought he was hallucinating the figure waiting for him at the head of the table.
Clad in a high-collared black velvet gown and with her crimson hair glimmering like fresh blood, Anika Felsing reclined in the king’s chair, wearing a smile made for war. ‘Hello, brother.’
‘Anika?’ Alarik blinked, to make sure he was awake. ‘I thought you were in Eana.’
‘What can I say? I was craving a little war.’ She flashed her teeth. ‘You hardly thought I’d let you have all the fun without me?’
Alarik returned his sister’s wolfish grin,his heart soaring at the sudden realness of her, here in his war room. Home, at last. ‘Your timing is impeccable,’ he said, striding towards her. ‘Queen Regna will be quaking in her helmet.’
‘Good,’ she said, rising to embrace him. ‘That bitch’s skull is mine.’
‘Welcome home, Anika,’ he said, with a dark chuckle. ‘You have been missed.’
III
War
CHAPTER 28
Greta
The Blackspires were like a mouth on the horizon, an endless row of jagged teeth taking a bite out of the sky. Greta couldn’t tear her gaze from them as she sat bundled in the back of her sled. They were travelling so fast the wind nipped her cheeks and stole the feeling from her nose, but she had graver matters to worry about.
They had been riding north for two days. The king’s spymaster, Elias, had gone on ahead to act as a scout, while the king himself rode at the head of his army alongside his sister, Princess Anika, who had returned from the southern isles just in time for war. They were followed closely by Captain Vine and the First Regiment – seasoned soldiers that had fought more wars than years Greta had been alive. Next were the regiment of beasts and war birds, overseen by the king’s wrangler and falconer, who rode together in the same sled. Greta was glad of Aren’s company, though secretly, she wished she was back at Grinstad, singing lullabies to Saga and her cubs, and tossing snowballs with Princess Elva.
Coward, she scolded herself whenever the thought crossed her mind.
She owed it to her brother to be brave.She owed it to her family, and her king, too.
The Second Regiment carted the fire lances and cannons under the command of General Vesper Hale, while the third and final troop guarded the rear, the soldiers there riding mainly on stags and horseback. All together they made for an impressive procession, thousands of soldiers and beasts marching ceaselessly across the vast frozen tundra of northern Gevra.
At night, Greta slept fitfully in the sled, her face turned to Aren’s as they curled up across the narrow benches, whispering to each other of half-forgotten tales from their childhoods to keep their mind off what was to come.
But war lurked along the horizon, and soon it would sweep its greedy fist across the Blackspires, scattering soldiers and beasts alike. It was a knot in Greta’s chest, tightening with each passing hour. She feared for her beloved animals just as fiercely as she feared for her fellow soldiers, but most of all – though she dared not utter it aloud – she feared for the life of her king, for the wild-hearted man who was so much more than his brutal reputation. As the spill of those black mountains loomed ever closer, she found herself hoping that that fearsome reputation would help Alarik in his quest for victory, inspiring fear into the heart of the ruthless queen who sought to rip open his mountains and topple him from his throne.
When they were several miles south of the Blackspires, they stopped at the Valewood, a pale birch forest that hugged the banks of a glassy lake. Here, they were instructed to change into their battle armour,drink their fill of water and eat what little food their nervous stomachs could handle. After a quick lunch of bread and cured meat, Greta and Aren washed up and went to check on the animals. Clanging awkwardly in her unwieldy silver battle armour and with her helmet cradled in the crook of her arm, Greta wandered among her beasts.
Overhead, the morning sun climbed up the seam of the sky. The snow had held off for two nights, and despite the chill in the wind, there were no clouds lying in wait, threatening to thwart them. It might have been a beautiful day if they weren’t marching into battle.
Greta lingered awhile with the ice bears, seeking out Baldur and Nel, the sisters having seen more battle than most of the soldiers in their midst. They were sitting at the far edge of the lake, their heads bent together like they were sharing a secret. As she approached, Greta sensed the steady thrum of their heartbeats beating in perfect harmony.
‘At least you’re not frightened,’ she said, sitting between them on the frosted grass. ‘I wish I could say the same for myself.’
They blinked their big brown eyes at her, and Greta felt the sudden well of their empathy. She wished she could curl up across their laps, but she couldn’t afford to look frightened or weak in front of the other soldiers. There were thousands of them clustered around the lake, and yet she could pick out the king at once. He was standing all the way across the water, dressed head to toe in shining black armour. Even from here, she could sense he was calm, steel-eyed, ready for the horrors to come. He cradled his helmet in one hand, the other gripping the pommel of his sword as he spoke with Captain Vine and Princess Anika,both of whom had yet to change into their armour.
Greta swallowed back the fear in her throat, but it rose again, thick as an apple.
Nel snuffled, laying a large paw on her knee to comfort her.
But Greta couldn’t shake the storm in her heart. She was so frightened about what was coming. She hated that her last conversation with Alarik had been about battle tactics and beast formations rather than, well … somethingreal. She had never thanked him for what he had done for her family, hadn’t told him how precious his friendship had become to her, how walking with him in the forest or sharing a muffin in the courtyard was always the best part of her day.
What if she never got that chance?
