“There’s nothing there,” Isabel says with a frown. “But… why are the edges of the paper glimmering in such a way?”
“It’s enchanted. The Winter King often spells the missives he sends, protecting them so only the intended recipient can read them. Don’t worry, little moth. I will read it aloud.”
“Oh. Thank you.” She leans closer. “Please, I am becoming quite anxious. Does he mention Helena at all?”
I clear my throat and lift the letter a bit higher.
“Commander Ashvale,” I begin. “I am pleased to learn that you have Isabel in your possession and that you have determined the whereabouts of her father, as well as the reason they fled Braemar before Tribute Day. Human mates, eh? They have a tendency to run. In any case, I am pleased to learn Isabel is your fated mate. You deserve happiness, and I wish you a joyous mating union. Speaking of mates, I feel that I should inform you that Helena is my mate. In fact, she is Elssandra reincarnated. She is also part-fae. It is a long story that I hope to share with you in person soon.”
“Oh, my gods,” Isabel interrupts. “I can’t believe it. I had no idea Helena was part-fae… and to think she is also a reincarnated soul who knew King Theron in her previous life. Well, I can scarcely wrap my mind around it. I can’t wait to discuss this with her in person. Oh, do you think she possesses any magic?”
I chuckle and lean over to place a quick kiss atop my little moth’s head. “It is an astounding development, though as I already told you, I’d heard whispers among the soldiers that perhaps Helena was King Theron’s reincarnated mate, for she looks exactly like Elssandra. As for whether she possesses any magic, I suppose you’ll have to wait and ask her yourself. The letter doesn’t mention it.”
Isabel nudges me with her elbow and peers down at the letter even though to her it appears as a blank page. “Go on. Please continue. What else does the king say?”
“I hope this letter finds you before you depart Hollins, though if it doesn’t, you are ordered to return to the human town and await the arrival of the Winter Court army. We just received word that a group of faefolk from Frostfall were attacked as they traveled through the area several days ago. Lord Blackthorne was in the vicinity, searching for another missing human female from Braemar by the name of Gwen Whitmore who happensto be an acquaintance of my mate, when he came upon the gruesome scene in the forest. There were no survivors, but he verified that the arrows used to kill the faefolk are the same style used by soldiers from Hollins. I am sorry for the loss of your constituents, Gideon. I truly am.”
I pause my reading. Isabel places a hand on my arm, a touch that’s meant to be comforting, yet it does little to soothe the rage that’s suddenly building in my psyche.
Not faefolk from Frostfall.
Gods, anyone but my people.
“Oh, Gideon,” Isabel says. “I am so sorry.”
“Thank you.” I sigh and try to focus on the letter. “Thirty-two adult faefolk and six children were killed during the attack.”
I pause again.
Six children. Holy fires.
Among my people, despite an average life that spans thousands of years, most mated couples only have one or two children. We simply do not reproduce as often as humans and orcs. Losing six children from Frostfall is possibly the greatest tragedy to affect the people from my province, and the urgent need for revenge sweeps through me, a wave of bloodlust that causes my body to go rigid.
Isabel remains quiet next to me, though I know she feels every bit of my grief, my shock, and my building rage.
“Though I am sure it will provide little comfort, Lord Blackthorne doesn’t believe the faefolk suffered for long. It appears to have been a quick ambush. He used his magic to freeze the bodies for later transport back to Frostfall, as we assume that is where you will wish to bury your people. As you might imagine, the soldiers from Hollins, as well as any other citizens who would dare to defy us, must answer for their transgressions. The Winter Court army will arrive in a week, give or take a day, and justice will be served. Blood for blood. I willsend another letter when we are two days out from Hollins. King Theron.”
The letter falls from my hands, drifting to the ground near the fire. Frostfall isn’t a large province. I think of the frozen bodies of my constituents lying in the forest somewhere near Hollins. I have no doubt that I will recognize most of their faces. My heart breaks for the families who departed Frostfall as they followed the spread of ussha, compelled to chase after the lifeforce of our magic. To be away from high concentrations of ussha for too long causes even the strongest highborn fae among my people to feel weak.
Isabel leans into me, wrapping an arm around my waist. She rests her head on my shoulder. Through the bond, I feel her grief. Grief for my people and hers. She regrets that my people died, particularly the children. While she doesn’t sanction the violence the soldiers from Hollins committed, she still wishes there were another way forward. A way that didn’t involve more violence.
But there will be violence.
More than her gentle heart could ever imagine.
Blood for blood.
The soldiers from Hollins will pay, every last one of them, even those who didn’t take part in the ambush on the Frostfall faefolk. And once the soldiers are dead, the citizens of Hollins who put up a fight will also be slain. Any resistance will be met with death.
“Gideon,” Isabel whispers, her voice trembling.
I close my eyes as the rage inside me meets the warmth she keeps sending me, the waves of her affection that are helping to keep me somewhat grounded.
But many of her people will die. Surely she must realize that war is coming and there’s no stopping it.
I pull her close and press my face into the crown of her head, taking comfort in her familiar lilac scent. For a long moment, neither of us speaks. The cave is quiet, save for the crackling fire and the distant howl of the wind outside. As I hold her close, I consider what I must do, and my resolve firms. During the battle against Hollins, I will maim and slaughter. I will show no mercy.
Eventually, I take a deep breath and ease myself away from Isabel. I rise to my feet and start gathering my things. I don my weapons belt and add additional knives from the reserves in the cave.
