“Same for me,” I mutter, reminding us all why we are on this quest to begin with.
“You are foretold to die?” he asks. “How do you feel about that?”
“We all die. It’s just the matter of where, when, and how that I’m trying to control.”
“No one can control fate.”
“I beg to differ,” I counter.
“If anyone can, it’s you,” Gwyneth says. Warmth swells in my chest at her confidence in my abilities.
The next turn is spent in almost complete silence as we delve deeper into the forest. Our cloaks become heavier, dragging across the ground as snow piles on the fur. The tip of my nose tingles, and I can’t feel my lips any longer. Snowflakes cling to my eyelashes, making me blink to keep my focus.
“This weather is becoming treacherous,” Hart grumbles. “If it gets any worse, we will need to find shelter.”
“Almost to the lake,” Mr. Yak says from up ahead.
Lake? Like a gigantic body of icy water? A shudder runs over my shoulders. Will there be problems because of the whole Lady of the Lake situation? And won’t we perish if we try to swim in it?
Theo and Nash share a look before glancing at me. They aren’t keen on me going anywhere near a lake, either. Good to know we are on the same page. Perhaps this portal is tucked inside a cozy, heated cottage at the edge of the lake? Nobody could accuse me of being a pessimist.
The trees thin, and the huge frozen lake appears in front of us. Forget swimming—we’re about to make a death-defyingdash across an ice rink. This has disaster written all over it. The nightmare lingers on the edges of my mind. I’ve never had prophetic dreams before. I’m sure it is just my subconscious putting together a scenario that is highly likely.
Theo isn’t even in his dragon form. This is fine. Everything is fine.
“Now what?” Gwyneth asks as she eyeballs the lake with concern.
Everything is not fine.
“It’s thick enough to take our weight, I assure you,” Mr. Yak declares as he trots onto the ice and spins to face us. Oh, his sausage has made a retreat. Nope, wait.
“Stop looking at it, for Idol’s sake,” Hart growls. “If you keep doing that, I can’t be held responsible for my actions.”
Nash steps forward, and the creak of the huge glistening ice echoes around us. There aren’t any cracks, at least. But if one of us is making it groan, perhaps we should take this one person at a time?
Malachi jumps on. Everyone sucks in a breath, but he stays upright and unswallowed by the dark water lurking beneath.
“See? Nothing to fear,” he declares.
Gwyneth puts one graceful foot forward and takes a few tentative steps onto the lake. Her shoulders relax, and she turns to nod at us. “I think with how thick this ice is, it will easily hold us and many more.”
“Holding me isn’t my issue,” I point out as Theo and Hart flank me. “It’s staying upright.”
The knights loop my arms with theirs as we step onto the ice. Look at that. I’m walking on ice and not falling over.Ha. Take that, Idols.It’s like I’m walking on air. Wait. I glance down, finding my feet moving but not touching the ground. I huff at the two burly knights who are holding me up in the air.
“You didn’t even let me try,” I snap. “I could have gained a new appreciation for less calamity.”
“You have been less prone lately,” Theo acknowledges. “But let’s not test it now.”
“Gwyneth, do you need assistance?” Charming queries. Wait, he’s behind us?
I glance over my shoulder. He’s still dancing around the edge, clearly troubled by the ice.
“To do that, Charming, you will need to be brave and get your shit together,” Hart calls out. “I know it’s a struggle. Don’t fret, though. I’m sure Malachi can help Gwyneth.”
My lips twitch as a string of curses erupts from behind us. Prince Poopfloof rushes past us and barrels into Gwyneth, tackling her to the ground and making her yelp as her ass bounces on the ice.
“Real smooth,” Malachi comments.
