The king studies me, his hands clasped behind his back, as the winter wind sweeps through the trees, prompting snow to swirl off the branches.
“You intend to resign from the Winter Court army,” he says. A statement. Not a question. Somehow, he has guessed my plans.
“Yes,” I say, standing tall. “I don’t just plan to help the Frostfall faefolk establish a new settlement here, but I plan to live among them and offer my protection. I hope you will accept my resignation. I will, of course, remain with the army untilHollins is conquered. The soldiers from Hollins shot my people in the back with arrows, killing them as they tried to flee. I want vengeance.”
“Though I will be sorry to see you go, Gideon, I will accept your resignation. And I’m glad we’ll be able to fight one last battle together. However, there is something you should know.” He draws in a weary breath, then slowly exhales. He casts a glance at the camp, peering toward his warded tent.
“What is it?” I ask, growing tense.
He meets my eyes. “I have promised my mate that we will only kill the soldiers and the mayor of Hollins.”
Stunned speechless, I lift my eyebrows at him in question. I always believed he was colder than I am, and far crueler, too. Yet he’s decided to show the people of Hollins the very mercy that Isabel has been begging me to show them, mercy I steadfastly refused.
A growl builds in my throat, but I swallow it back. One simply does not growl at the Winter King.
“My mate will be pleased by your decision,” I say slowly.
“Yes, well, I hope you understand. I was worried you would disagree with my order.” His expression abruptly darkens. “Especially after I learned that Maelissa Ashvale was among the dead,” he adds. “One of the soldiers from Frostfall identified the bodies and compiled a list. I saw her name and… gods, Gideon, I am sorry.”
“I understand your order more than you might know,” I confess with a glance back at the tent where our mates are enjoying their reunion. “I am pleased that all the soldiers will be fair game, as well as the mayor. Since we’ll have fewer human males to kill, perhaps we can take our time with them. Make them suffer.”
“Agreed. Yes, we will certainly make them suffer.” King Theron pauses and appears uncomfortable. “Does the lord regent of Frostfall know about his mate?” he asks.
“I sent my brother a letter. I haven’t yet received a reply, though that is nothing unusual, since he doesn’t possess the ability to send messenger birds.” I draw in a deep breath. “I would assume that even if he didn’t receive my letter for some reason, he will know that Maelissa has departed this realm. Mating bonds, especially once consummated, are enduring. Surely he felt the absence… the silence… the moment her heart stopped beating.”
“May the gods watch over her soul,” King Theron murmurs, a faraway look entering his eyes. He keeps glancing back at the tent, no doubt contemplating the agony he would endure if something happened to Helena.
It’s a sentiment I share. Isabel has become precious to me in ways I never imagined possible. Until feeling the tug of our bond, I never realized just how strong the tether that binds mates could be. Yes, I witnessed the affection my parents shared, but it never truly clicked until the night I first dreamed of Isabel. My little moth.
“Maelissa’s death, as well as all the others, will be avenged tonight,” King Theron announces.
“Tonight?”
“Yes. I am eager to resume our travels north,” he says. “Tonight at dusk, when it is most difficult for the humans to see us coming in the waning light, we will attack.”
“A good plan,” I say, though my surprise quickly gives way to relief. Tonight. The battle will occur tonight. Not only will I have my revenge very soon, but Isabel will be pleased by the mercy that the Winter King intends to show the people of Hollins. By this time tomorrow, we could be on our way to Frostfall. My spirits lift.
“Have you received word from Lord Blackthorne yet?” I ask. Though I’ve sent messenger birds to my old friend, I have not received a reply since he was apparently sent on a mission by the king to locate another missing human woman.
“No, I have not received a reply from him since he set off to search for Gwen Whitmore, a friend of Helena’s who was taken as a slave on Tribute Day but then suddenly disappeared. However, I have learned that when it comes to Lord Blackthorne, he rarely responds to a missive unless he has something new to say, which leads me to believe he hasn’t located the young woman yet. I have faith that he’ll find her, though. He is our best aerial scout and tracker.”
I nod as I consider his words. He is correct that Lord Blackthorne rarely replies to a missive unless he has new information to share. When it comes to my old friend, no news simply means… no news.
“Where do you plan to keep your mate during the battle?” King Theron asks. “The cabin you’ve been staying in? The one you mentioned in your last letter?”
“I had planned to keep her there, yes. With a series of wards placed around the structure and several soldiers stationed outside.” I turn to face the king as he pauses on the edge of camp. “Helena is welcome to stay at the cabin with Isabel during the attack. In fact, I know my mate would like that.”
“Very good. It is settled. Our mates will remain in the warded cabin farther down the mountain, guarded by a contingent of fifty soldiers.”
Fifty soldiers? It takes all my self-control to keep my expression neutral. Truly, I am surprised. I had hoped to arrange for a dozen soldiers to guard the cabin during the battle. Fifty is a large number for what many among us might consider a personal reason that has little to do with warfare. I suspect some soldiers in our camp will whisper among themselves whenthey learn about King Theron’s orders, but I can’t say I care for the opinions of males who don’t yet know what it is to have a treasured mate.
“Thank you, Theron,” I say, daring to utter his name without his title one last time before we return to the crowded camp. “I appreciate you sparing such a large number of soldiers.”
He smiles, though there’s a weariness to his expression that gives me pause. “My mate has no difficulty walking through my wards or wards created by others. But hopefully she will stay where I order her to stay.”
He resumes walking, and I accompany him back into the camp.
After informing our mates of the plan, I escort the women to the cabin with the contingent of fifty soldiers.
