The short guard made a choking noise somewhere behind Rakel, but he silenced himself when Koray peered in his direction.
Aleifr blinked. “Lies.”
Rakel shook her head.
Aleifr licked his lips and glanced from Rakel to Farrin much like a cornered rabbit. “But I tried to kill you.”
“That may be so, but I forgive you,” Rakel said.
The skeletal prisoner laughed. “This is a trick. You’re trying to get my hopes up, and then you’ll kill me.”
“No, it is quite the contrary. I, Princess Rakel, monarch of winter and sister to King Steinar of Verglas, formally pardon you, Aleifr. You are forgiven for your crimes and are a free man.”
Aleifr took in a rattling breath, but he did not move.
Rakel glanced over her shoulder. “Guard, if you would please remove his shackles?”
The short soldier wore a pinched expression. “This don’t seem right, Princess. Are you sure you aren’t being too kind?”
She smiled. “No, but I thank you for your concern.”
“You can’t pardon me,” Aleifr said. “You don’t have the power. You said it yourself: yourbrotheris the king.”
“Yes, but my brother has given me his royal word: I may do with you what I will. I choose to forgive you.”
“Why are you doing this?” Aleifr whimpered. “You can’t like me.”
Rakel raised an eyebrow. “I never said I did. Rather, I dislike you, in all honesty.”
“Then why?” he croaked.
She hesitated. She felt Farrin take a step closer to her, and Koray nosed her hand, strengthening her resolve. “Because forgiveness is the stronger option. No amount of pain I put you through will take back that moment of your attack. Years spent in imprisonment cannot reverse time. But mercy frees everyone who hears of it. Forgiveness brings hope.”
“You won the war. No one needs hope anymore,” Aleifr whispered.
Rakel shook her head. “Now Verglas, its people, andIneed hope more than ever. In the brightness of everyday life, it is easy to forget the darkness and become placid and petty. But if I really wish to be a person of honor and mercy, I must continue to forgive and release any hatred I encounter.” Rakel waited until he met her gaze. “So I forgive you, Aleifr. You might not care, or even want it, but I will grant it regardless.”
Silence thickened the air of the cell.
Aleifr stared unblinking at her, his expression unreadable.
Koray licked Rakel’s fingers, making her breathe deeper. She cleared her throat. “Guard, his shackles.”
The short guard saluted. “Yes, Princess.” He knelt at Aleifr’s feet and unlocked the leg irons. He frowned at Aleifr after casting the shackles away. “We must process your pardon, but in accordance with the princess’s will, you are free.”
Aleifr didn’t seem to notice the soldier. He continued to stare at Rakel. “You’re still a monster,” he whispered.
The insult was depressingly familiar, for before Verglas was retaken, she had heard it often enough. But it did not affect her the way it used to. She knew the true face of darkness and evil—she hadfacedit. That was why she had to forgive him. “No, I’m not a monster,” she said. “But I don’t care if you accept that or not as I am doing this for my sake. But you have been given a second chance. I hope you use it wisely.”
Rakel left the cell, fleeing before he took the opportunity to further insult her. Koray trotted at her side, and Farrin, instead of ghosting along in her trail, walked shoulder-to-shoulder with her. He held out his hand in an invitation. When she placed her palm against his, warmth flooded her heart.
“You did well, my love,” he murmured.
She exhaled deeply. “Thank you.”
She smiled when they passed the other guard on duty, but she paused at the base of the stairs when the shorter guard shouted. “A moment, Princess!” He jogged down the aisle, leaving Aleifr to stumble towards the other guard on his own.
The guard stopped just short of Rakel and Farrin, then bowed low. “Thank you, Snow Queen. Thoughhemight not understand the greatness of your act, I do. Thank you,” he repeated.
