‘Now, don’t be getting any ideas, Peacock,’ Blayze says, shrugging off his furs and curling into his chair. ‘I know I’m a prime specimen and just swore an oath to render you any service you so desire, but try to resist me, eh? I wasn’t joking when I said you’re not my type.’
I groan. If he keeps this up, it’s going to be a long night.
‘Best set off at first light,’ Blayze says, closing his eyes. ‘You know what they say about early birds… though I doubt even worms are in plentiful supply on these wretched peaks.’
The moment I rest my head against the mildewed chair, exhaustion floods my body. Carving our way through that snowdrift was no joke; my arms feel like they’ve been half-wrenched from their sockets. But though I’m bone-tired, sleep evades me. It seems to evade the Clanschief too. He lies tossing in his chair for what seems like hours before snores confirm he’s finally slumbering.
It’s not just the musty room or fusty chair keeping me awake. It’s Leilani, and Orthriel’s parting words to me.
Perhaps a hunting expedition is exactly what I need tomorrow.
Anything to keep my mind off the promise I made the cielsylph.
*
BLAYZEJERKSTHEarrow free from the hare, hands it back to me, then hauls the carcass up by its ears, adding it to the one we caught more than three hours ago.
‘Barely worth coming out for,’ he grumbles, scanning the mountain for the umpteenth time. Jumpier than ever out here on the peaks.
I replace the arrow in its quiver and draw my furs closer to keep the chill off my neck. ‘At least we’ll go back with something. Tansy can rustle up a stew, stretch them out.’
‘It’s the cragstalkers’ fault.’ He jerks his head to where the pack are busy stripping sinew from bone. ‘Left us with next to nothing while they bagged a frostfang.’
Serafine joins them at their bloody feast, the remains already picked almost clean.
‘I don’t begrudge them. They saved us in that avalanche. It’s not their fault quarry’s so thin on the ground.’
Blayze grunts. Despite the cold, sweat glints on his brow. He really must carry some kind of forge within him.
‘We can keep going if you want. Try for another hare.’ But my eyes are already searching through the sparse trees, seeking the palace domes. I thought a hunt might distract me, but I can’t put Leilani from my mind. I must get back before she wakes. I promised Orthriel I’d keep close watch over her.
Blayze follows my gaze and slings the hares over his shoulder with a sigh. ‘Come on, Loverboy, let’s get you back to her.’
As we turn to trudge through the snow, a mournful howl pierces the air. Then another. My spine prickles. Frostfangs. Many this time. The lone beast the cragstalkers caught must have become separated from its pack. We both stop. Blayze places a finger to his lips, motions his head towards the trees. Soundlessly, I follow him into the thicket. Shielded by the branches, I lift my gaze up the mountain, blinking back memories of the hoarclaw attack in Lulana. Frostfangs are smaller, less armoured, but they’re faster. And while hoarclaws are solitary creatures, frostfang packs can be large. Blayze is searching through the trees too, already palming his mace. I take a deep, steadying breath, inhaling the crisp resin of the pines, for once glad to have the Clanschief beside me.
Something streaks along the ridge overhead, darting across the mountain like a fast-moving silver stream. There’s a clenching in my chest as the frostfangs pause, lifting their snouts to scent the air. Even at this distance I can see ribs through their matted fur. My hand moves to my sword too; sweat-slicked palm slipping against the pommel. Hungry wolves are dangerous wolves. The cragstalkers raise their heads from their gory spoils. Hackles rise, tufted ears twitch. If the frostfangs attack, we’ll be hard-pressed to defend against so many, even with the cats’ support.
We wait. We watch. More whines, some snuffling, and several lowered heads, but then something scampers in the higher territory, sending scree waterfalling down the ridge. Another hare? Whatever it is, it captures the pack’s attention. They surge after it, sleek-footed, as one.
I release another slow breath.
‘Dodged an arrow ourselves there, Peacock,’ Blayze whispers, as the last frostfang fades from view.
I relax my grip on my sword and wait for my pulse to slow to its normal rhythm before following Blayze down the mountain, the cragstalkers and Serafine at our heels.
That was close. Too close for my liking. It’s possible they’ve been tracking us for some time. Now we know frostfangs are near, have likely already caught our scent, we’ll have to be more careful.
Once we cross through Talini’s lolling gates, Blayze peers through the windows of every abandoned building we pass. ‘I told Mar we should search the city for anything that might come in useful. Candles, blankets, rope… We could start now?’
I look to the palace domes again.
‘Can’t keep away?’ Blayze scoffs. ‘For what it’s worth, I think Orthriel’s wrong. She’ll weather this. Curse aside, she’s brave. Strong too.’ The fierce glint that sparks in his eyes as he says this takes me aback.
Blayze is still talking as we make our way back to the palace, but I’m only half-listening. My insides are churning. I don’t like the way his face lit up when he spoke about Leilani. The way he casually mentioned her powers like a blemish irks me too. It’s how I always felt about her brandmagic myself, but something’s changed. Maybe it was watching her face down the hoarclaw… Her powers are fearsome, yes, but they’re also breathtaking. What’s a star to do, if not shine? Blayze would have her dimmed, her powers curtailed – as Hyperion kept her shrouded. As Hyperion kept her small. That’s not what I want for her. But what’s the alternative? I think of the way she brought down that mountain. Of the guards lying buried beneath it. Orthriel’s parting words echo my mind like the doleful refrain of plague horns.
Stars are only visible thanks to the darkness of the Veil. There’s comfort in that thought. Balance must be maintained, in this as in all things. I have to trust – to hope – Leilani finds that balance. That she doesn’t slip so deep into Shadow that we lose her forever.
‘… it might be better to wait,’ Blayze says.
