Chapter 33

33

D amon

I secure the last of the goods onto the gelding and then pat him on the neck.

“Ready?” I ask the horses.

Of course, they don’t answer but they seem eager to get out of the caves and back out in the open.

Missy tugs on the reins. I’ve secured Ranger so that he will follow the mare. He is carrying most of the goods, which frees her up to carry just me. That way, we should hopefully make good time once we are down the worst of the mountain.

I lead them from the cave, pushing aside the ivy and squinting against the muted light. There are no clouds to speak of. The snow is deep; it crunches beneath my boots as I walk.

I pause, not convinced that the narrow gorge will be navigable in such deep footing. There is only one way to find out. I’ve dallied too long.

I mount up. Then I take a deep breath, looking back. The Ice Court isn’t far away.

“Goodbye, love,” I whisper.

Then I urge Missy forward, leading the way through the thick snow. The mare seems sure-footed despite the challenging terrain, her hooves sinking into the powdery snow and leaving deep imprints behind us. Ranger follows close behind.

It doesn’t take long to reach the narrow gorge; the towering cliffs loom overhead. The snow is deep. Almost too deep, perhaps.

I nudge Missy with my heels, and she walks forward. After a short while, the snow is almost as deep as the tops of her legs.

I dismount, assessing the situation. The gorge ahead is a daunting sight, with walls slick from the meltwater that trickles down in rivulets, freezing into icy patches along the sheer rock faces. The snowfall has made the trail nearly impassable, and my heart sinks at the thought of navigating this treacherous terrain.

Glancing back at Ranger, I see that he is struggling even more, with the snow touching his chest and belly. With a heavy sigh, I realize that attempting to traverse the gorge in these conditions would be foolhardy at best. I need to find another way around.

There isn’t one that I know of.

Leading Missy and Ranger back from the gorge’s edge, I decide to search for an alternate route on higher ground. I am eager to be on my way.

Kyrie

“Pass me the salt, please, Sindy.” After a pause, Elsie says, “Sindy! The salt, please.”

“Oh! Oh, sorry. I think I must be tired after so many new experiences today.” I pick up the glass container, looking at the tiny grains inside. I wonder for a moment if this is salt from the mine where we toiled day in and day out. It feels like a lifetime ago. Like an imagined dream.

I hand the small container to Elsie. “Thank you.” She shakes it over her food before handing it back. “Do you want some?”

I shake my head. “I don’t like salt much.” Not after all we went through to get it.

“You don’t like salt.” Elsie widens her eyes. “Why not? I suppose it’s a good thing. We put far too much of it on our food, don’t we, hon’?” she asks her husband, Scott, who grunts.

“I’ll have some salt, please, dear,” Merna says, taking it from Elsie.

Scott works in the vegetable fields. Apparently, they grow several crops up in the mountains. Vegetables such as potatoes, turnips, and kale, even out in these cold conditions. He’s a bear of a man who doesn’t say much, which is probably good because Elsie talks enough for the both of them. I like that about her.

“Can I have more cheese, Mama?” their little girl asks.

“I already told you, Tamara, you have to finish your food first.”

“I don’t like fish,” she whines.

“Eat your supper or no pudding,” Elsie warns.

The little girl sighs dramatically and puts a forkful of fish into her mouth. She chews twice and swallows it down, making a face.

“Your vegetables, too. What are you doing, Owen?” she yells at her ten-year-old. “You can’t put the whole fish in your mouth.”

“I can,” he says around his food.

“And don’t talk with your mouth full.” Elsie looks at me with pleading eyes. “I’m so sorry. They’re normally better mannered than this.” Then she puts her hand up in front of her mouth to shield it. “Actually, they’re not.”

We laugh.

“It’s delicious. I haven’t had fish in years.” Not since I was taken by the fae.

“I thought you said Hollyoaks was close to the sea.” Elsie raises her brows.

“It is, but the fish are hells expensive. We were quite poor. We lived mainly off the land. Even meat was reserved for special occasions.”

“You poor thing. No wonder you were so amazed by the hot chocolate today.” Elsie smiles.

“I’ve never tasted anything like it,” I say, meaning it.

Elsie puts a mouthful of soft food into the baby’s mouth. The little one takes it into her mouth and then makes a raspberry, food spraying everywhere.

“Avery!” Elsie yells, but she soon smiles. “You can’t do that, you messy little girl.”

The baby laughs, and we all join in.

“So, you say that things went well with Lady Siophra?” Merna asks.

“I start first thing tomorrow. I’m nervous.” I push out a heavy breath.

“Yes, it’s early to bed for you tonight,” Merna says.

“Most definitely. I’ll help Elsie with the dishes, and then I’ll need to get back and head to bed.”

“You shouldn’t worry too much. Lady Siophra is really strict, but she’s also quite fair. She likes hard workers, so put your back into it, and you’ll be fine,” Merna tells me.

“Oh, I plan on it. I’m grateful for everything.” I look from Merna to Elsie and then at Scott, who has just dished himself seconds. He doesn’t seem to be paying much attention to the conversation. “Thank you all.”

“You keep thanking us, Sindy, but there is really no need. You’re family and family stick together, don’t we, Mom?” Elsie asks Merna, who nods.

“Oh, yes, most definitely.” Merna puts her knife and fork on the plate, pushing it away. “That was delicious, Elsie. Why don’t you let Sindy and me wash up while you take the children up to bed?”

“It’s too early!” both the older children shout.

“We haven’t had our pudding, Mama.” Tamara looks put out.

“You still haven’t finished your food,” she tells the girl, who pouts.

“I hate sprouts.”

“I’m finished.” Owen holds up his empty plate. “Can I have some apple pie?”

“Yes, lad, you can cut yourself a—”

There is a loud banging at the door.

“Are you expecting someone, Scott?” Elsie turns to her husband.

He grunts, shaking his head, frowning.

Another harder knock sounds, followed by, “Open up!” It’s a gruff male voice.

“That doesn’t sound good.” Elsie stands.

My heart races. I think I know who it is. Kakara, help me. I hope I’m wrong.

A third and louder banging starts; this time, they don’t let up.

“Okay, okay, hold your horses,” Elsie yells as she goes to the door.

I think briefly of running. But where would I go? There are no windows down here.

Merna looks at me with wide eyes. I shrug. It’s not like I can tell her what’s going on.

Elsie opens the door, and three icefae guards walk in. They’re all in uniform. One of the icefae guards steps forward, his eyes scanning the room until they land on me. Recognition flashes in his gaze, and my stomach drops. I try to keep my expression neutral, but inside, panic begins to rise like a tide.

“Is there a problem, gentlemen?” Elsie asks, her voice steady despite the fear that flickers in her eyes.

The guard who seems to be in charge takes a step closer. “We’re looking for the human female,” he says, his tone clipped and businesslike. His eyes settle on me. “We’re looking for you. What is your name, girl?”

“It’s Sindy.” I push my chair back and stand.

“When did you arrive at the Ice Court?” he asks, his voice gruff and his eyes narrowed.

“What is the meaning of this?” Elsie steps forward. “What is going on? This is my cousin, Sindy. She’s staying with us. I think there has been some sort of mistake.”

“There is no record of your cousin entering our territory,” the guard says. “When did you arrive?” he asks me.

“Yesterday.” My voice is surprisingly clear.

“Why is there no record of it?” he asks me.

I shrug. “I’m not sure. I entered with a group. Perhaps there was a mistake made.”

“You will need to come with us while we sort this out,” the guard says.

“No!” Elsie steps between the guards and me. “Why? We already told you who she is. Sindy said she came through the gate yesterday. I don’t understand why—”

“Sit down, Elsie. Let the guard do their job,” Scott says, actually saying the first full sentence since I met him.

“It’s probably just a misunderstanding,” Merna adds.

“I’m sure it is.” I smile. “Let me go with them. I will be back in no time.”

Elsie doesn’t look too sure, but she nods, her eyes filled with worry. The guard leads me out of the house, with the other two following closely behind.

“Do not attempt to run,” the guard walking next to me says needlessly since I wouldn’t get more than a few steps.

We garner looks of concern as I am led down the hallway. Does this have to do with seeing Hali earlier today? Perhaps it had to do with requesting a position at the castle. If it is the latter, I might be able to talk my way out of it. If Hali has said anything, I could be in real trouble. This is one eventuality Damon and I didn’t see coming. I have no idea what happens at the entrance to the Ice Court. I was supposed to have signed in. I know nothing about the process or about what the entrance even looks like.

I sigh. I will have to do my best. If I end up jailed or worse, so be it. They may even send me back to the salt mines since I escaped. I hope not. We knew that this was a possibility. I knew.

It doesn’t matter to me. As long as Damon is far away from here. As long as he does all the things he said he would. He and the rest of the lost kings. If my life ends up being sacrificed, then so be it. I hate it, but in the greater scheme of things, it’s the better option.

Go, Damon. Ride like the wind.

I will face whatever comes my way head-on.