Mauro merely snorted at this.
“Come on, Snow.” Frisk set off along the narrow, winding path that led uphill. Wrapping my scarf tighter around my face, I hurried after him.
It was slow work. The ground was icy, and the wind threatened to knock me over. I had to pause frequently to adjust my footing. Though my boots were equipped for snowand ice, I’d never worn them in such hazardous conditions before.
When we reached a small plateau at the top of the first hill, I paused to catch my breath and snack on a sparkwood apple from my pack, squinting against the darkness descending around us. Frisk’s eyesight was better than mine in the dark, so I had to trust he knew where he was going.
“Tell me something,” Frisk said, his tail swishing as he paced in front of me.
“What?” I asked between bites, enjoying the way the sweet juice trickled down my throat. It distracted me from the bitter cold.
“You say it was always your plan to go back to Taerin and take back the crown,” he said slowly, “so, why haven’t you gone yet?”
I scowled. “You know why. We didn’t have the funds for mercenaries. We still don’t.”
“You can turn invisible, Snow. And you know that castle better than anyone. Getting inside wouldn’t have been an issue for you.”
I clenched my teeth, prepared for the automatic response I usually gave people when they assumed my invisibility was foolproof. Before I could, Frisk jumped in.
“And don’t bother telling me that a soldier would notice you. You’re cleverer than that.”
My nostrils flared, my anger rising. “What are you getting at, Frisk?”
“I just think Mauro and I aren’t the only ones who feel like you belong in the forest.”
“I want my father’s crown,” I said sharply. “This court isn’t safe in Calista’s hands.”
“I know that. But I think if you really wanted this, youwould have found a way by now. It’s been five years, Snow. And you haven’t gone back once, not even to scope out the area.”
I stilled, clenching my free hand into a tight fist and exhaling through my teeth. I knew Frisk’s secret. Perhaps it was time I shared mine.
At least… part of it.
Stalling, I took another bite of my apple. When Frisk only stared at me expectantly, I heaved a sigh and said, “Just before I left Taerin, I encountered a Demon Fae. I barely escaped with my life. I’m worried it will hunt me if I return.”
None of this was a lie. I just wasn’t ready to tell him it was Calista I was afraid of. And that the farther away I was from her, the less power she had over my blood.
Frisk was silent for a long moment. “Ah,” he finally said.
I waited for him to go on, but he didn’t. “What?”
“That explains why you were so crazed when you found out about me and Mauro.”
“I was notcrazed.”
“And it explains your reluctance to return. But, Snow, youneverback down from a fight. What about this Demon Fae has you so spooked?”
“You know what they are!” I argued. “You know what they can do. I wouldn’t have survived that attack without Theron there to distract it.”
“No, you wouldn’t have survived without yourinvisibility. That’s what saved you. The Demon Fae can’t see through your magic.”
I shook my head, refusing to delve deeper into my confession. “I’m shaken from that experience, Frisk. I was young. And I know Demon Fae have an impeccable sense of smell. It’ll scent me the second I return.”
“Maybe.” Frisk sounded doubtful.
“Weren’t you just chiding me about diving into dangerous missions?” I snapped. “Where’s that worry for my safety? Or are you no longer concerned?”
Frisk barked a laugh. “Don’t try to turn this on me, Snow. I know there’s more to your story, but if you aren’t ready to share it, I’ll respect that. I know what it’s like to keep things to yourself—whether for your own protection or for others’.”
