“Thank you, Your Evilness! May you rule in darkness and torment forever.”
“You are most welcome.” Krav snaps his fingers to get Alkarvi’s attention. “Give this one atyrleeas well. And, little one, don't forget your white juice andkoo-keys.” The child toddles along behind Alkarvi, juggling the cup of what I assume containswhite juice, and a plate of tarts.
I glance over my shoulder at Kim. “White juice?”
She shrugs. “Maybe the closest thing on Ulfaria to our milk back home? I told Aurus about the milk and cookie tradition. He must have gotten it mixed up, because the kids are getting them, not leaving them out.”
“And Krav’s playing Santa,” Emma says. “Look, he’s in red and… um, black. With… tinsel on his horns. I mean, he looks kind of like a Santa.”
“From hell,” Kim adds.
A Santa from hell. Beyond Krav’s throne, a few of the villagers are hoisting up a giant, twisted tree with a blackened trunk and branches. Once they’ve secured it, the children rush to decorate the lower boughs with silver and gold strands—their idea of tinsel—and tiny carvings of Plutus spinning on thread.
“This is because of me.” My hand slides to my neck. “Because of the snow.”
Emma and Kim give me puzzled looks.
“It was snowing, and I got so excited. I told him all about Christmas, and other holiday traditions. He must have been paying attention after all.” At least enough to get the gist, and then ask Aurus to pump Kim for more details.
“And now he’s recreating it,” Emma says. “But why?”
“That’s the million-dollar question. I don’t have a freaking clue.” I wish I did.
My mind whirling, I sink back into the couch. Just seeing Krav made me ache with longing—hearing his voice was excruciating. The way he spoke to those kids… the fact that he was there in the first place, giving his people gifts instead of terrorizing them…
Why recreate Christmas? It couldn’t be for my benefit—he didn’t know I was watching.
“You can turn it off,” I tell Kim, gesturing to the orb. “Thanks so much for making that happen.”
“Anytime. Remind me to show you how to do it before I leave. You know, just in case you want to… check in again.”
“I appreciate that,” I say. “So much.”
“It makes a nice change to see you smiling,” Emma says.
“Now we know: all it takes to make her happy is a shitload of margaritas and a spy cam,” Kim adds with a grin.
“Shuddurp, you two,” I pretend to scold them. But for the first time since I stepped through the portal, the bond is humming a faint but sweet melody.
And there’s a flicker of something in my chest that I didn’t expect to feel again anytime soon.
Hope.
Eighteen
Krav
I usedto think all settlements in Pyreda looked the same. From above, they all consist of huts around a village square. But in my quest to bring Renee’s Hoo-man holiday joy to my kingdom, I have become familiar with the unique features of each one.
This settlement is a long way from my castle but close to Mount Vracor. Above us, the volcano spews thick smoke into the frosty air. The earthquakes are more frequent—a bad sign. I’ve spent hours flying around it, searching for a way to quench the raging inferno in its core. But while I can feel the volcano’s turmoil, I’m not strong enough to soothe it. I can only plan and prepare for the day when it erupts.
In the meantime, I have a mission to fulfil.
It’s strangely rewarding to be welcomed joyfully by my people. They surge around my throne until I order elders to press them back. Children and their parents form a queue, and I beckon the first eager family forward to give them their gifts.
One by one, I grant wishes, gratified by the smiles I’m putting on bright young faces. It reminds me of the way my pet would beam whenever she found something especially pleasing.
What I wouldn’t give to be the reason she smiles again.
