Joel wrapped a hand around my back and nudged me to walk.
“King’s orders demand the immediate arrest of Marshen Deucane and anyone in his company,” Whelm barked.
“I need to speak with King Ryvar,” I whispered to Joel.
“I’ll take her to the king myself,” Joel told Whelm. “Oh, and I suggest you sharpen those rusty senses of yours. You were about to arrest your future princess.”
Future princess?
Captain Whelm all but flinched, flaring his nostrils against the upwind.
“Let’s go, Delia, you must be freezing.”
“Marshen too,” I said, squaring my shoulders.
“The hell you a—”
“Marshen too,” Joel repeated. “I’ll take full responsibility.”
“Sign it off,” the captain spat. “Tara and Tavis will join the escort.”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Joel said, giving the eye-patched male a mocking salute.
“You were lucky I found you when I did. I was just about to leave. The rest of the Vanguard is at an eastern post. I’ll join them after making sure you’re delivered safely. Do you think he’ll forgive me then?”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” I mumbled.
“That’s unusually cruel of you, Delia.”
That wasn’t what I meant. I meant that I was no longer sure whether he cared at all about my well-being. But instead of correcting myself, I peered over the icy stretch that passed by me as the robust snow horses pulled our sleighs.
We made it to the castle of Nivaria hours past dusk, the slightly dented silver moon above us close to being full. It reminded me of my moon-carved bow I so much loved and stubbornly left behind. I was grateful to have done so, though—it didn’t deserve to be destroyed by the Naaris or by the Wrathwater Depths.
I shivered the moment my feet touched the icy ground, and my throat worked the moment I took in the unending white castle before me. I had imagined it to be sculpted floor to ceiling from ice, but it wasn’t ice that made up its walls. White marble gleamed, streaked with light blue veins that shimmered beneath the silver moonlight. Similar to what I saw in Eldervynn, this castle, too, had bridges and interconnections that adjoined its uneven walls.
I let out the shakiest breath as Nivaria’s grand doors opened before us.
CHAPTER 65
“Queen Gloriana,” Marshen said, kneeling with a lowered head before his queen. She lithely sauntered our way, two servants in tow mirroring her pace as if they were her shadows.
I offered her a courtesy bow as best as my body allowed me to. It seemed that I was the only one with rattling teeth and a mouthful of misty breath. My body still trembled, despite the warm air that suffused the castle’s great hall.
The chandelier above our heads shimmered in light blue, reminding me of glowflies.
Marshen blurted out the words, “My Queen, I found them!Wefound them, the people of Ilma. We have to inform King Ryvar.”
She looked my way, assessed the whole of me from head to toe, and in a flat tone said, “You smell exactly like him.” Then she turned her gaze back to Marshen. “I’m afraid my husband took our son on a hunting trip. He won’t be back until tomorrow. But considering the mess of a state you’re in, I will offer you shelter and food for tonight.”
Queen Gloriana stared at me. I felt as if I soiled the beauty of this magnificent hall with my damp, shivering presence. Whereasshegracefully blessed it with a head towering with ice-white hair, and light blue eyes, the same colour as the excessive gem bound at her throat. Attached to it was a light blue gown that trailed from neck to floor, complementing the marbled tiles.
Finally, her gaze moved on to one of her servants. “Set a guest bedroom for each. Light the hearth and prepare a hot bath for her. Give food to both.”
“T-Thank y-you,” I managed.
The servants also fetched me clean clothes, all warm and fuzzy. But more importantly, they brought food, water, and wine. I decided to have dinner on the furry carpet, in front of the hearth. I was starving, yet every bite took a great deal of energy to chew and even more effort to swallow. Not to mention the concentration required to keep it all down.
I was in Silch, in Nivaria, lounging in one of the guest bedrooms of King Ryvar Hailin’s castle.Hiscastle.Hishome.
