Juniper returns her grin. “You must be hungry. Get settled in the north wing. Stellen will show you the way. I’ll bring you both dinner.”
Stellen. It’s been a long time since any Frost Fae called me by my first name. I don’t mind it.
As Juniper hurries away, I’m forced to register our surroundings. Walls I haven’t stepped foot inside for a long time.
Somehow…they aren’t so difficult to face anymore.
“This way,” I say, and Thyra follows me.
I take the most circuitous route that will avoid going near the throne room, sticking to the outer hallways and corridors, passing by ornately decorated rooms, heading northward until we come to a wide, wooden door, carved with snowflakes.
Last night, Juniper told me that she and the other staff members had made a place for Thyra here.
I’m not sure what to expect, certain only that it’s quiet behind this door.
When we step inside, Thyra’s gasp could drown me.
A high ceiling soars over us, painted with glistening snowflakes that nearly twinkle like stars in a deep-blue sky.
On the right-hand side of the room, living vines meander across the entire wall, growing from a long, narrow pot thatextends along the entire length of the floor. The greenery appears to intertwine with the snowflakes painted on the wall behind them so they could almost be dusted white.
A heating element has been constructed to the left of the room, not exactly perfectly placed, but the elements are always at the whim of the twists and turns of the underground hot springs.
Furniture rests around the room, simple but comfortable, chairs positioned near the heating element, along with a bookcase. A dining table with more chairs sits nearer to the vines.
In the opposite wall are two doors.
Two separate bedrooms.
“Oh, this is…” Thyra turns around as she proceeds into the room, seemingly trying to take it all in at once. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
I wasn’t expecting Thyra.
Antony called her hishope.
For me, she is a terrible destruction.
I incline my head toward the bedrooms, both painted a soft, cream color. “You can choose.”
She gives me small smile. “I’ll wash up.”
Moving across to the bedroom on the left, she disappears through its adjoining door to the bathing room beyond.
I deposit the two satchels on the table before I start pulling out scrolls, preparing to lay them out for Thyra, but already, footfalls sound in the distance.
Judging by the delicious smells wafting beneath the main door, Juniper’s on her way back with food. She must have had the staff ready to serve it.
The scrolls will have to wait.
Returning the parchments to the satchel, I nestle the bag on one of the chairs before I step into the bathing roomto wash up.
I’m conscious of Juniper moving through the main door at the same time that Thyra’s footfalls sound, exiting her bedroom.
Within moments, their quiet voices reach me, along with the soft clattering of dishes.
“Juniper, this is too much,” Thyra says, catching her breath. “Take some back with you.”
“Nonsense,” Juniper fusses. “It’s been too long since we served a meal in the inner palace.”
