They bowed to the King and said in unison, “Your Majesty.”
“Very nice to meet you both,” King Rianvar said. “Don't expect Galin back till late.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” they said again.
“Have a good day, you two,” I said. “I checked the stock and you should be fine.”
“Don't worry about us, Boss,” Raef said. “You just have fun.”
The King escorted me outside, going out first, then holding the door open to draw me forth. Our boots crunched in the snow as we went to his carriage. I paused just before climbing in to examine the wooden slats that had been fitted to the carriage wheels. They were polished smooth and curved up at either end, allowing the carriage to ride atop the snow instead of plowing through it.
Instead of being annoyed by my interest, Rian waved at the wooden pieces and said, “They transform the carriage into a sleigh. I contemplated bringing a sleigh instead, but it's such a cold day, I thought it better to have the comforts of a carriage and the ease of a sleigh.”
“A sleigh?”
“Yes. A sleigh. A very large sled drawn by horses.”
I shook my head.
“You've never been sledding?”
“No.” I lifted my face to the falling snow, then stuck out my hand to catch a snowflake. “Great Gods, it's true. They really do look like little lacy stars. How magical.”
“You've never seen a sleigh or a snowflake?”
“No.” I looked back at the King. “Vix is closer to the equator than Sken, and Nuri is especially far up. We never got snow. It would get chilly, but never cold enough for that. Moving here isn't just a new beginning for me, it's a new world. A new culture. From the clothes to the food to the weather. Everything is fresh.”
“How marvelous.”
“Yes. Andcold.” I took his hand and climbed into the carriage, sighing as the warmth surrounded me. “Thank you for bringing the warmer vehicle.”
“You need a fur-lined cloak,” Rian said as he settled on the bench beside me. “That velvet isn't thick enough.”
“Yes, I think you're right,” I said. “I'll look for one the next time I go shopping.”
“Hold on.” Rian drew back to widen his eyes at me. “So the other night, that was your first sight of snow?”
“Yes.”
A look of pure joy spread across the King's face. “And you experienced it with me.”
“Yes.” I grinned.
“Then today shall be even more special than I'd hoped.”
“Oh? Are we having a snow adventure?”
“Breakfast first. Then you'll see.”
“A surprise?” I grinned. “It's been a long time since someone has thought to surprise me with something.”
The image of the collar Rontor gave me popped into my head, but I pushed it away. That was a surprise gift, not a surprise outing. Two totally different things. Come to think of it, Rontor had never taken me on a date. My stomach clenched. Even in that life-changing relationship, I hadn't been treated as I should have been. But at least it had brought me here and to the revelation of the way I should be treated. Even the best path has a few bad steps along it. But bad or good, they all lead forward.
The Dragon King's carriage/sleigh glided over the packed snow, bells on the t jingling. The curtains were back and the glass panes down, but the heat stones kept the cold at bay. I found myself leaning out the window to enjoy the white landscape.
“It's so beautiful,” I said. “I didn't get a chance to enjoy it yesterday. I was busy in the shop.”
“I was busy as well,” he said. “I moved that meeting to yesterday.”
