She led me to another cedar house with a straw roof. Though not as large as the longhouse, it certainly overshadowed the other huts in Frostguard. Inside was a collection of bunk beds, all of which were empty. A small kitchen at the back needed tidying—clay bowls were strewn over every surface, and the quaint sitting area off to the side was arranged haphazardly. Lived-in but unkempt. I peeked through another door and saw an array of weapons hanging on the walls. A training room.
Velka went directly to one of the bunks and reached up, feeling around the blankets. She moved about the space with such familiarity that I asked, “Is this your cabin?”
“Shifters’ Lodge. For the Seven. Ah, there it is.” Velka pulled her hand back from the bed. A strange chain hung from her fingers, made of molded brass with little pouches hanging from it. She walked around me and fastened the chain around my neck.
A terrible odor drifted up from the pouches, and I nearly gagged. “What is that?”
“Sheep dung mixed with herbs. To hide your scent.”
That scent… Gods, that scent…
I shook my head to clear it and faced Velka. “And you keep this in your bed?”
“It’s Alarik’s old bed. The others thought it would be a funny prank on the new Second.” She shrugged like it didn’t bother her, even though it clearly did.
“Rade’s chosen a new Second?”
“Yeah. He did it while Keir and Bain were… occupied. Probably for the best.”
I nodded and flicked one of the pouches on the strange collar. “And why do I need to hide my scent?”
“For your own safety. You can take it off once you’re out of the water.”
“The water?”
Velka stopped, finally seeming to realize I had no idea what she was talking about. “Rade didn’t tell you?” I shook my head. “Well, you won’t come fully into your power until the Igniting, but your magic should be alive and moving through your veins. It will meet Rade’s for the first time today, and over the next few days, it will grow to know him well. So that when you’re bound together, your magic will recognize his and meld.”
“Wait, did you say over the next fewdays?”
She nodded.
“How many days is this part going to take?”
“Three.”
My eyes nearly fell out of my head.Three dayspretending to use magic I didn’t have. And there would still be nine left before Queen Amunet came into her power.
Fear rose up inside me. It wouldn’t take three days for me to be found out. Only a few moments, at the most. Then they’d know I was a fraud, and they’d go after Queen Amunet, steal her power, and I’d be sent to the Trench.
“Hey.” Velka took my hands in hers and gave them a squeeze. “It’s all right. Magic is instinctual. You’ll know what to do when you’re there.”
“What if I don’t?” I whispered shakily.
“Rade will be with you. Today is just about trust and collaboration. You’ll be fine.”
I should tell her now. I should confess the way Ketet wanted me to in the Eye. They were going to find out as soon as this trial started anyway. When they realized I’d deceived them, that I couldn’t help them against the Shroud… maybe they’d do worse than tear me apart. But maybe if I came forward, they’d be merciful. I opened my mouth—
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” Velka said.
I choked.
She lowered her eyes shamefully. “When Keir first proposed this plan, we were all against it. An Ashoran queen was just as likely to murder us all in our sleep as she was to save us. We heard such stories about you, and I… well, I thought you would be completely different. After what your king—” Velka shook her head and gave me a crooked smile. “Anyway, I’m sorry. For kidnapping you and scaring you, for putting you through this ritual. And thank you. For proving us all wrong.”
I took in the emotion on her face, the earnestness in her eyes, and I couldn’t get the confession out. It was stupid and dangerous, but I couldn’t make my lips form the words. I was greedy—greedy for her trust. For the goodwill in her eyes…
“What happened when King Zaid came to Kaldfold?” I asked softly.
Velka waved her hand dismissively and put on a smile. “Not today. Today is a happy day. Come on, they’re waiting for us.” Without giving me time to respond, Velka strode out of the lodge.
