Chapter 30

30

K yrie

“Are you sure they’ll be okay?” My voice echoes within the dark tunnels, the entrance to which is so obscured by thick ivy that if you didn’t know it was there, you wouldn’t be able to find it.

Right now, we’re deep inside the tunnel. The horses are untacked and secured in one of several corrals down here. There are some basic supplies like blankets, lanterns, and candles stocked in a closet down here. There’s also some horse tack and other supplies. It’s clear to see from the layer of dust that no one has used this space in a long time.

It is still functional and will serve its purpose. At least, I hope it will. I look at Ranger and Missy, feeling a pang. They did so well in getting us here.

“That ice will melt soon enough, and they’ll have water.” Damon points at the pails he filled with freshly fallen snow. There are two in each corral.

They’re happily munching on the grain we brought with us. They look fine…happy, even.

“Besides,” Damon adds, “I won’t be gone all that long. I’ll get you inside and make sure you’re safe, and then I’ll head out. It’ll be a couple of hours at best and perhaps for the night at worst.”

I nod. “You’re right; that isn’t bad at all. At least, they’re dry and warm with some food in their bellies.”

My chest aches somewhere in the vicinity of my heart. Our time together is very nearly at an end.

A couple of hours.

It’s nowhere near long enough.

We each take a lantern and start down the long, dark passageway. Damon finds my hand and clutches it. I clutch his right back.

Initially, the tunnels were warm, but as we walk, it gets colder and colder. I note that the walls are now covered in ice. They gleam against the light from the lanterns. The air turns crisp and frigid, my breath frosting. Our footsteps echo off the walls.

“Make sure you go straight.” He points at an opening to our right. “There are several of these going in both directions.” As he says it, we pass a tunnel opening to our left. “Stay straight to get to the Ice Court and then straight when coming back to the tunnel we entered through. You can get lost down here and never find your way out.”

I shiver internally at the thought. “Got it. Stay straight in the main tunnel.”

“Also, all of the courts are contained by a dome. The domes were put in place after Snow took over. Do you know about them?”

“Yes, humans can’t pass through on their own; they need to be accompanied by a fae.”

“That’s right. The dome is in place above the ground, directly over the Ice Court and surrounding lands, but not so below it. You will be able to pass through in this tunnel on your own. Do not try to run over land; you won’t be able to escape that way. The dome will block you.”

“Understood.” It isn’t something I’d thought about, but it makes complete sense.

Finally, we arrive at a large set of doors carved with intricate ice patterns. The cold is even more intense here.

“Are you ready, Ky?” Damon whispers.

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. This is it – the Ice Court. My new home, if all goes well.

Damon takes a deep breath and then pulls on one of the door handles. The doors swing open slowly, revealing a large room with a vast expanse of ice high above us.

“Are we below the castle?” I whisper.

Damon nods. “Follow me. We need to keep very quiet. And remember to—”

“Yes, I know, I need to memorize how to get back here.”

He smiles at me and nods. “Your ordeal will be over soon.” Damon squeezes my hand.

Only I don’t see my time with him as an ordeal. It’s an adventure. Dangerous…yes, but at least we’re together.

If given time, I would get stronger, braver, and more confident in my abilities. I would learn how to wield a sword. How to fight and protect myself. How to stand on my own two feet and to be of use, but time is not on our side. Right now, I am none of those things. I would hinder him. I could be the one who ends up getting him killed while trying to protect me. I would never forgive myself if that happened.

I shake myself out of my reverie and note that there are several doors all around the room, aside from the one we entered through. I count nine. They all look identical, namely, wood carved with intricate ice patterns like the first door we encountered.

I turn in a circle. “Do you know where they all lead?” I whisper.

“Yes. Only the royal family knows about them. And now you. Thankfully, my brother and Snow hadn’t married yet when they were poisoned, or she would have known about them too.”

“Maybe she found out.”

“I doubt it, but you never know. It’s a chance we will have to take. Ready?” He looks me in the eye.

I nod. “As ready as I will ever be.” Which isn’t very ready at all, but he doesn’t need to know that. I plan on making this as painless as possible for us both.

He goes to one of the doors. “This leads to the staff quarters; it’s the one we’re taking, and that one,” he points, “leads back to the tunnels and the exit. They’re the only two you need to know about – to avoid confusion. The others go to various parts of the castle, including the great hall, the royal chambers, the kitchens, the stables… You get the picture.”

“Yes.” It would be easy to get confused in a room like this. I memorize the layouts and the two doors I need to know about.

“We need to keep very quiet. Let’s go then,” he whispers, opening the door that is going to take us to the staff quarters.

The moment we step through the door into the dark hallway, the temperature goes up a little, which is a welcome relief from the cold.

Damon holds the lantern out in front of us, and we start to walk. It’s just wide enough to go two abreast. It takes a while, but we finally reach another door. Once again, it is exactly the same as the others.

Damon puts his fingers over his lips and then turns off the lantern by turning a knob at the base. He gestures for me to do the same with my lantern. When I do, it goes pitch black. I can’t see a thing.

I hold my breath until Damon opens the door, which allows some light in. He slowly pushes it open, and I blink my eyes while they adjust.

Then we step into a well-lit closet. The light seems to be coming from the walls, which are made from ice. Damon closes the door, which seals as if it wasn’t even there. He takes my lantern from me, placing it on a nearby shelf, putting his next to it.

“Watch carefully,” he whispers. Then he knocks on the wall three times before pushing gently on the same spot, and the door appears and pops open. He pushes it closed. “Your turn,” he says.

I follow the steps he just showed me, and the door opens.

“You turn right, and the path will take you to the room with the doors. Do not go left, Kyrie. It would take you to the rear of the castle, out into the courtyard, and you could get captured. You can’t escape that way, so it’s not worth the risk.”

I nod. “Got it.”

“Good.” Damon closes the hidden door again.

Even though my breath hangs in the air like an icy fog, I am amazed at how warm it is. I take off my oilskin coat. It must be magic warming the place up. There is no other explanation for how a structure made from solid ice could feel warm. I note that the floors are made from ice, and yet they’re not slippery. That must be magic, too. Same with the light in the walls. It’s a little disconcerting.

I look around. There are various tools used for cleaning, including brooms, mops, cloths, and soaps in an assortment of jars. They’re stacked up against a wall on a shelf. The space smells like lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon. It’s pleasant enough.

Damon pulls his hood over his head.

“I took mine off,” I practically mouth, pointing at the coat in my hands.

“It’s fine.”

I suppose he’s the one who could be recognized and not me. Damon goes first; he slowly opens the door, peeking out, looking both ways.

“It’s clear,” he says in a low voice, and we walk out into the long hallway. There are many doors along each side. The walls are made of ice, which doesn’t come as a surprise; they glow with that same eerie light. We start walking.

Before long, the sound of chatter alerts us to people approaching from the other end of the hall.

“Act natural. They won’t recognize you,” Damon whispers, stepping in closer to me, his hood obscuring his face and ears. He makes himself smaller by hunching his shoulders.

My heart beats wildly as I try to do as he asks. Act like you belong .

The voices are female, and it doesn’t take long before their owners round the corner. Both of them are in uniform – white and gold with fur lining on the edges at the bottom and around the sleeves.

The ladies don’t even look at us as we pass; they’re too engrossed in their conversation.

Damon and I give each other a look. He smiles briefly as we pick up the pace. He seems to know exactly where we are going. It doesn’t take long to get to a door. It’s plain wood with a silver knocker in the shape of an ice crystal.

Damon uses it to knock on the door.

“Coming,” someone says from inside.

It takes a few moments, but the door swings open. “Can I help you?” It’s an elderly lady with wrinkled skin and gray hair pulled back into a bun. Her eyes are blue like a winter sky. I can tell that she must have been pretty when she was younger.

Damon looks in each direction down the hall before pulling down his hood. “Merna, it’s me.”

Her eyes go as wide as the moon at the end of a cycle. Her mouth falls open.

“We need to come in,” he adds when she stands there frozen in place like an ice statue.

Merna snaps out of it. “Yes, yes, of course.” She steps out of the way, closing the door, and then drops to her knees before Damon. She takes his hand, her head bowed. “Oh, Sire…oh, it’s you.” I can hear that she is weeping. “It has been so long. I thought the worst. You’re back…you’re back.” She looks up; her eyes and cheeks are wet with tears.

“Dear Merna, please stand. Yes, it is me.” Damon helps her to her feet. “And I am Damon to you, dear sweet lady.” I can hear from his voice that he is filled with emotion. “You are a sight for sore eyes.” He pulls her into a bear hug.

“I would say the same thing to you, dear boy.” They hug, and my throat tightens a little just seeing them. “I never thought I would see the day. I thought I would be long gone and turned to ash before your return.” Her voice is muffled against his chest. “That’s if you returned at all. Oh, happy days.”

“I am here. It is me. I am back,” he says, finally letting her go.

Damon’s old nursemaid wipes her eyes. “Come in.” She gestures to the small space. It is neat and cozy. “Who is this lovely young lady?” She smiles at me; her eyes are still watery.

“I’m Kyrie.”

Merna clasps my hand. Her skin feels thin, like paper, and is cool to the touch. “It is good to meet you. Any friend of Damon’s is a friend of mine. Please, take a seat…both of you. Can I make you some raspberry tea? I’ll sweeten it with extra honey, just how you like it,” she asks Damon, her eyes wide and filled with joy.

“No.” He shakes his head. “Thank you, but I need to be on my way soon. Is Elsie still working here at the Ice Court?”

She nods. “Yes, but not as a nursemaid. There have been no more royal babes born since…since Snow has taken over the rule.” Her voice hardens. “Elsie works in the kitchen. She is quite the baker. My girl will be so thrilled to see you. She’s married with three little ones.”

“Three.” Damon smiles. “That is wonderful.”

“We have a good life here at the Ice Court, but I hear that it isn’t so for those living outside of the fae territories.” She frowns, her eyes turning troubled.

Damon shakes his head, looking somber. “I’m afraid that you are right. Times are hard. I have a big favor to ask of Elsie. I hoped that you would still be in the same accommodation as before, but I don’t know where she lives now.”

“She lives here in the staff quarters, in one of the bigger units but I’m afraid that she is at work right now. You can wait here, but she will be a few hours yet. What is going on, Damon? What do you need? You know you can trust me.”

Damon nods. “Shall we sit?” He gestures to a table and chairs.

“Are you sure I can’t get you something to drink? Take a seat. I will be back in a moment.” She stands before we can object. “I insist,” she adds, putting an end to any arguments.

We take a seat while Merna disappears behind a door that must lead to the kitchen.

“She seems nice,” I tell Damon. “I can see why you thought to bring me here.”

“Merna is the best. Elsie is just like her, except Elsie has dark hair like her father, whereas Merna used to have blonde hair in her youth. Her husband died when Elsie was just a babe.”

“That’s terrible.”

“It was.” He nods, looking grave. “My father kept a brute of a stallion. A huge creature called Magnus. The horse was a handful, both in hand and under saddle. He hated anything that moved. We couldn’t even use him to cover mares because he would tear them to pieces.”

I gasp. “That’s terrible.”

“Merna’s husband was head groom at the time. One day, Magnus cornered Zack and stomped him to death. It was tragic. My father had Magnus shot.”

“Poor Merna and terrible for Elsie.”

“It was.”

We sit in silence for a few long, tense moments. Both of us are feeling Damon’s leaving acutely. It’s there, hanging in the air between us like a living, breathing thing.

Thankfully, Merna returns with a tray. On the tray is a teapot, cups, and a plate of cookies. There is also a little glass honey jar.

“Here we go,” Merna says, beaming at Damon. She glances my way, as well. “Can I pour you some tea, dear?”

“Yes, please, Merna.”

“Elsie brought me these. She baked them herself. They’re sugar cookies. Try one. The two of you look like you just got off your horses and could use a snack.”

Damon sniffs at himself. “I’m sure we smell like it, too.” He smiles. “Apologies.”

Merna waves her hand. “Don’t be silly. I always loved the sweet scent of horses. Reminds me of Zack.” She gets a wistful look.

I take a biscuit and bite it, a moan instantly forming on my lips. “These are delicious. You were right about Elsie being able to bake.”

Merna’s whole face lights up. “You should taste her pastries; they are truly sublime.”

Damon takes a cookie as well, making all the right noises while he eats it.

“So, what brings you here?” she asks while she pours three cups, pushing two of them toward each of us. “Help yourself to some honey.”

“I brought Kyrie because I need a safe place for her to stay. She’s…special to me, Merna.” Damon looks me in the eye, his gaze softening. His jaw tightens as he looks back at his old nursemaid. “I was hoping that Elsie would be able to help out. Perhaps she could get Kyrie a job in the castle. No one must know that I was ever here or how Kyrie came to be here.” He rubs his jaw. “It’s probably best if I discussed it directly with Elsie as well. Perhaps she can tell others that Kyrie is her cousin who has come to stay. The two of you are practically furniture here at the castle; they would believe you. I know I would be asking a lot. If you were caught, there would be consequences. If either of you feels uncomfortable, I would understand. It’s just that, although there are others I trust, none more implicitly than the two of you.”

“No, it isn’t best if you spoke to Elsie about this.” Merna shakes her head, her tone clipped. “You’re right; there would be consequences, and they could be dire indeed. Elsie has three children to raise. She has a good life here, and you would be asking her to put herself at risk. Her family would be at risk. I can’t allow that, Damon.” She shakes her head.

“You’re right, Merna. It’s selfish of me. I shouldn’t have come here.” He starts to stand.

“Wait! I, on the other hand, am old and frail. I do not have long of this world. I have been sickly of late. I would be more than willing to take the risk on myself. If any of this ever came to light, then Elsie would be in the clear. I would take all the blame.”

He sits back down and clasps his hands on the table, looking troubled. “I hate to ask this of you. I wouldn’t if I had any other choice.”

“Don’t be silly, Damon. You needed help, and you came to just the right place. Kyrie is welcome here. We will look after her as if she were one of our own. I will never breathe a word about seeing you. We will lie to Elsie.” Merna looks at me. “She is never to know the truth. I will tell her that Kyrie here is her cousin seeking a new life. Only we shall call you…” she lifts her eyes in thought, “Sindy. From here on out, you are Sindy.”

I nod, taking a sip of my tea, which is quite delicious. “Sindy is perfect. Thank you for agreeing to help me. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”

“Think nothing of it, child. If you are special to Damon, then you must be special. It means that you are part of the fold.”

My eyes prick with unshed tears. I nod because I don’t trust my voice.

“You’re right, Merna. It’s probably better if Elsie truly believes that Sindy is her actual cousin from Hollyoaks.”

“Where exactly is Hollyoaks?” Merna asks, frowning.

“No idea. I made it up.” Damon smiles.

Merna chokes out a laugh. “I like that.”

“Hollyoaks is a settlement on the border of the Bohab desert. I traveled seven days and nights to get here. I almost got captured by bloodfae along the way. Then, almost eaten by a pack of hywolves. But I somehow made it with my meager belongings in the hopes of making a place for myself at the Ice Court with my long-lost family,” I say, trying to stick to some of the real facts, which will make it easier for me to remember.

“You are the daughter of my oldest and estranged sister, Mable, who, on her deathbed, told you to come and find me, which you did,” Merna says.

“Mable and Merna.” Damon laughs softly. “Did you make up that name?”

“Not at all.” Merna’s eyes twinkle. “My mother had a strange sense of humor. She named us four girls Mable, Merna, Mirtle, and Mary. Mirtle died from an illness as a child. Mary used to visit me at the Ice Court from time to time, but I haven’t seen her in years.” Her eyes go hazy. “Mable and I hated each other. I never saw her again after leaving home, and it never bothered me. You are nothing like her and more like your father, Sindy. I welcomed you with open arms.”

We talk like this for a time. I finish my tea and eat two more biscuits. We go over the fabricated story several times, making sure that we have the basic facts down and that our stories are straight.

“You’ll stay here with me until you get your own home,” Merna says. “I will introduce you to Elsie tomorrow morning. She is bringing the children here while she goes to run a few errands. You can meet her then. Elsie is sweet and kind. She will love that you are here and will be more than willing to help you find work here at the castle. We are always looking for hands.”

“I will feel bad lying to her,” I tell Merna.

“Don’t feel bad,” Merna says. “One day, you can explain everything, and I assure you that she will understand. For now, you must do what it takes to stay safe for when Damon retakes the throne.” She looks at Damon, her eyes blazing. “Please tell me that it is your plan. You are the ruler…not her,” Merna whispers.

“Yes, Merna, it is the plan. The less I say, the better.”

“I understand,” Merna says, covering his hand with her much smaller one. She gives it a pat and then folds her hands in her lap.

Damon stands. “The time has come for me to take my leave.”

No!

Now that the time has come, I am not sure I can say goodbye. I stare down at my hands, which are tightly clasped.

“Must you go?” Merna says, standing as well. “Let me make you supper. You can’t leave without warm food in your belly. It won’t take me long at all. I’ll make venison pie. It was one of your favorites growing up.”

“That it was, but I’m afraid that I need to go. Thank you for agreeing to keep Kyrie safe.”

No! No! No!

I can’t.

I must.

I don’t want to.

“It is no trouble at all,” Merna says.

“Kyrie, love. It’s time.” His voice is thick with emotion, making my throat clog right up. I force myself to look up at him.

Tears threaten as I get to my feet.

Merna looks from me back to Damon. “Let me clean up.” She turns to Damon. “Come back to us, my boy…please.”

“I will do my level best.” They hug tightly for a few long moments.

“I can die somewhat at peace now,” Merna says.

“Don’t say that, Merna. You still look great,” Damon tells her. “And healthy as an ox.”

When they pull away, Merna is crying again but smiling through her tears. “If only that were true. It was good to see you. Now, let me clear up; you will find me in the kitchen, dear,” she says to me, a kind smile playing on her lips. She packs up her tray and disappears back through the door.

My hands are shaking when I turn to face Damon. He looks stricken. There is a deep frown on his forehead, and his eyes are hazy.

“This is it,” he says, his voice choked.

“Yes.” I nod. “Thank you for everything.” My voice hitches, and my throat clogs.

He chokes out a laugh. “You’re thanking me when all I’ve done is put you in danger.”

“You’ve saved me every step of the way. I wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for you, and that’s the simple truth of it.”

“I don’t want to leave you.” He takes my hands.

I lick my lips. “You have to. It’s the right thing to do.” I won’t bring him down. I need to learn to stand on my own two feet.

“It doesn’t feel right.”

“No, it doesn’t, but you need to go, and you need to save the realm. I will be waiting for you; do you hear me?”

“You can’t wait, Ky. I might not make it back.”

“You will! You’ll make it, and I will be there when you do. We’ll find each other again. We will be together. There is no one else for me. It’s only you. I love you, Damon.” I have to tell him. He needs to know how I truly feel. I don’t want to believe that this is the end for us, but the reality is that it very well could be.

He takes my lips in a hard kiss that speaks of our anguish, our pain, and our love. He moans against my mouth in frustration and need. When he pulls away, he holds me close before looking deep into my eyes. “I love you, too…so much, Kyrie. It’s why I have to leave you.”

“It’s why I have to let you go.” I step away from him. “I’ll be fine. I will.” I realize that I am crying and wipe at the tears.

“I know you will. Thesha’s right; you’re stronger than you think.” His gaze is lingering, burning not just into my eyes but into my soul. Then he turns and leaves. He takes my heart with him.