Heliconia wanted Aurelia to see destruction caused by her own gift.
Eirnan halted near what had once been a well. He crouched, touching the rim, then the ice that had filled it solid. “Why bother expelling so much power to freeze it all when her soldiers have already destroyed the life here?”
Aurelia joined him, crouching beside the frozen stone. The surface shimmered faintly under her reflection. She pressed her palm to the ice, and I watched as it gave way slowly to liquid. “She wants us to know how powerful she is.”
Eirnan nodded grimly. His skin was pale as bone, eyes sunk deep from years of magic starvation. “This is why she waited years to come for us. She was gathering more power.”
I didn’t miss the way Aurelia’s jaw tightened. She straightened, her breath rising in pale curls. “Let’s refill our water supply here. Then we find the tunnels before her soldiers find us. I don’t want her knowing we’re coming until we get there.”
We drank, refilled, and moved on. The mountains loomed closer with each hour—great white spines tearing at the clouds.
Later, when we stopped to rest for lunch, Keres challenged Aurelia to spar. I was surprised by it but glad. Keres had been the least convinced of us that Aurelia would be what we needed. I still wasn’t entirely sure what had transpired between them at the cabin, but every day since, Keres had warmed a little more.
I wondered if Aurelia knew a challenge like this one meant acceptance—and respect. Keres only challenged those she considered a worthy opponent. Or a true ally.
The clearing rang with the clash of steel, the crackle of Aurelia’s faint heat against Keres’s shadow-threaded strikes.
I watched from a distance, arms folded, pretending disinterest.
Aurelia moved like flame given form—grace and precision and fury all at once. Every swing of her sword was measured, deliberate. She had Aine training to thank for it. But Keres was relentless, driving Aurelia back until sparks scattered in the frost. Aurelia laughed once, sharp and breathless. It was the first real sound of enjoyment I’d heard from her in ages.
When she disarmed Keres with a twist of her wrist, I couldn’t stop the surge of pride. Or wanting.
“You’re staring again,” Slade muttered beside me. I hadn’t heard him approach.
“I’m watching my commander,” I said flatly.
He smirked. “Sure you are.”
Before I could respond, a low whistle came from the edge of camp. Eirnan’s scouts were back, cloaks heavy with snow. One of them—Leif, the younger—hesitated before stepping forward. Vanya appeared almost instantly at his side, handing him water but lingering a heartbeat too long. Leif flushed red to the tips of his pointed ears at her attention.
Slade leaned closer, elbowing me. “Young love. Isn’t it adorable?”
I ignored him as Leif and Eirnan approached us. Aurelia and Keres followed, all of us forming a loose circle.
Eirnan nodded at us then gestured for Leif to speak.
“The base of Nygard is another few hours’ march, but the way looks clear. If we keep moving, we’ll make it before nightfall.”
“You’ll continue to scout ahead,” Aurelia said to him. She glanced at me before adding, “We can’t afford to be spotted.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Leif said, offering a slight bow.
“Thank you,” she said. “Please rest and eat something before you head back out.”
Leif bowed again and then headed for the fire where Vanya was already heating food for the scouts. Eirnan followed them. Keres and Slade walked off, both heading for the bank of trees where I knew Thorne and Daegel were keeping watch at our backs.
Aurelia remained, though she looked like she’d rather be anywhere else.
“I’m goingto—” she began.
“What changed?” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Last night, I told you… You seem different after our conversation. Not what I expected.”
Her brow lifted. “Did you think I’d be heartbroken and crying? Too devastated to remember what we marched for today?”
