Her speed is already doubling.
Where she sits in front of me, Thyra leans as low as she can, positioning herself neatly in the space between the two satchels Nara’s now carrying.
We race through the first gate and along the empty main path. I’m pleased to see the soldiers on the wall stay only long enough to shut the gate before taking shelter.
Through the second gate we charge, where only a few stragglers are still in the process of retreating from the storm.
Finally, we race through the third gate.
To my surprise, Juniper waits within the tunnel of the portcullis, visibly shivering in the plummeting temperature.
“Juniper!” I fight my rising voice as Nara skids to a stop beside her. “Get indoors.”
Juniper nods vigorously, but I don’t miss the stubborn set of her jaw. Through chattering teeth, she replies, “I wanted to be sure you’d bring the Oracle to the north wing tonight.”
I scowl at her. “Is that so important you’d risk freezing to death?”
She tips her chin. “Yes, Lord.”
Thyra twists in her seat, demanding my focus. “North wing?”
“A place without so many bad memories,” I say.
“Take me there.” Thyra glances at the snow swelling across the other end of the tunnel. “And quickly.”
Without wasting another second, I jump to the ground and snatch Juniper off her feet.
“Up.” My command is drowned out by her shriek as I hoist her onto Nara’s back behind Thyra. “I’ll run alongside.”
Thyra gives me a firm nod, reaching back to steady Juniper, whom I’m certain is now shaking from shock rather than cold.
With a suddenness that snaps my attention upward, the sky outside this short tunnel turns dark. I’m certain the soldiers controlling the gate will have abandoned their posts and so they should.
The wall of ice is moving even faster than I anticipated and it’s nearly upon us. “Go!”
I keep pace, my arms and legs pumping as Nara shoots forward, racing along the path ahead, heading this time toward the stone building at the center of the inner circle—and then to the left, where the nearest entry is located.
I would have preferred not to travel through the inner palace, but Thyra and Juniper need to seek shelter immediately.
As Nara surges ahead of me, it seems Thyra has spied the door by which we need to enter.
My jaw drops when she swings herself around on Nara’s back, plucks Juniper into her arms, and leaps with her to the ground, moving so fast that she slides into the door, turning to take the impact on her left side.
A heartbeat later, I collide with the door beside her, lift the latch, and allow the two women to tumble inside.
Nara’s growl tells me she’s relieved we made it—and content to stay outside.
I take the swiftest moment to unstrap the two satchels,releasing Nara from their burden before I dart inside and close the door.
A second later, the storm hits.
Shrieking wind pierces my hearing, although I’m certain it will sound far more muted to Thyra and Juniper.
The older woman sways on the spot where Thyra has released her.
“Well.” Juniper draws herself upright. “That was exciting.”
The concern on Thyra’s face vanishes. A smile breaks. “A little too exciting.”
