…said in that rude tone that Ashared is not Lizaar’s lover and that I shouldn’t say things that I have no idea about…
From Blann’s account, one would get the impression that the cook was not only disgusted by the very possibility of such a relationship but perhaps even worried that such gossip could harm… who? And why? If it weren’t for the fact that one-third of Goldfrost’s population was of mixed blood, Lannahi would have thought that perhaps it was a question of its purity but…
What was so outrageous about suggesting that Lizaar and Ashared were lovers?
When the answer came to her, Lannahi froze, astonished by both its content and its obviousness.
Lizaar and Ashared were related.
But how?she wondered.
Ashared was a well-known and respected swordsman. She understood why his biography said “he comes from the Sapphire Lake area” and not, for example, “related to the family of Mahrur, King of Winterfort”—fae preferred their accomplishments to be viewed through the prism of themselves and not their family—but why did neither Mahrur nor Lizaar and her cousins boast about it publicly?
Once again, the answer came to her. In these lands, blood purity wasn’t significant, but it wasn’t the norm anywhere else. Given that the landshapers conducted business with fae across the Continent, they likely hid their less desirable family ties for the sake of reputation.
When Esau knocked on the door and announced the arrival of the Captain of the Palace Guard, the fluttering feeling in Lannahi’s chest returned, reminding her that interest wasn’t the only emotion Blann’s information aroused. She wasn’t going to dwell on why it appealed to her, though.
Choosing to confront reality rather than her imagination, she opened the door with an enchantment. Ashared strode in and after sweeping his gaze around her chamber, he met her eyes. Like Esau and Erril, he was on duty during the day, accompanying her everywhere from meals to deliberations and audiences so to some degree she’d gotten used to the cool, attentive way he looked at her, but some part of her still couldn’t help recalling the memory of their first meeting every time he addressed her directly.
“The sleighs are ready,” Ashared said after a formal bow, “and the area is clear. Due to the nature of the excursion and the fact that only they will be able to keep up with you, you will be accompanied by shifter guards in their animal form.”
Despite herself, Lannahi was curious. She had yet to see him in his wolf form. “I see.”
“If you have any more orders, it would be better to discuss them now. Later, communication may be difficult.”
Lannahi smiled. “I think we’ve discussed everything already.”
Ashared bowed again. “I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.”
Dark tar spilled over the delicate wings fluttering in her chest, immobilizing them completely, but she ignored the disturbing sensation. Why would Ashared change his behavior just because she managed to reach an understanding with Lizaar? His situation didn’t change, after all. Lannahi could only guess what kind of life he’d led before she won Goldfrost in a Royal Duel, but she felt that if it weren’t for her, he would never have chosen his current one. If he bowed to her, it was only for Lizaar’s sake. No matter how mysterious their relationship was, one thing was clear—Lizaar was more important to him than his pride.
Before the needles of jealousy drove too deeply into her heart, Blann returned, brightening her thoughts with her enthusiasm and awakening in her determination to put aside all her worries, if not for just a few hours of respite. Her resolve wavered when at the foot of the stairs outside the palace, she was greeted by the sight of two sleighs surrounded by enormous wolves with the largest having a brown coat resembling the hue of Ashared’s hair, but she mentally shook herself and met the wolf’s silver gaze, unflinching. Then she entered the largest sleigh along with Souhi and Blann, and when her assistant started enchanting, she focused on her voice.
They picked up speed when they left the city and entered the surrounding forest. The rush of the sleigh pushed all thoughts out of her head, and the beasts running among the huge trees blended into the background.
For the first time in a long while, she felt free.
They spent several hours in the forest. At Ashared’s suggestion, instead of delving into the wilder areas, they headed along the roads running toward Sapphire Lake and the settlements surrounding it but still met no one. When they finished eating the treats Blann had prepared, the group was cheerful despite their cheeks reddened from the cold wind and when Erril, who was riding with Esau on a smaller sleigh, suggested a race, Lannahi agreed without a second thought. Then she laughed, intoxicated by the speed of the sleds as they weaved in and out of the trees.
She didn’t notice that the wolves accompanying them began to fall behind, and when, at one point, a wolf-like figure stood in their way, she thought it was one of their guards. Even when Souhi and Erril started frantically enchanting the sleighs to avoid a collision, Lannahi remained calm, confident that it was only a temporary halt. It wasn’t until they stopped and the strange wolves were suddenly all around their sleighs that she realized they were surrounded by enemies.
Esau cursed under his breath and threw off the blanket covering his legs. He and Erril sprang from their seats, presumably to reach into their belt packs for knives, but barely had they took off their gloves when two wolves dashed toward them, overturned their sleigh, and pressed them to the ground with their powerful paws. Moments later, two more beasts joined them and closed their teeth around the enchanters’ hands, growling.
“I wouldn’t move if I were you,” said a well-built black-haired man in a brown coat who stepped out from behind a thicket of trees a few swords ahead of them. His gaze moved over the faces of the women in the second sleigh, finally stopping at Souhi who was sitting in the middle. “Nor speak without my permission.”
Judging from how the beasts moved out of his way, Lannahi assumed that this man was their alpha, but this knowledge wasn’t enough to make her attention linger on him. She was too distracted by the giant white wolf that growled within arm’s reach of where she sat. Her only thoughts were of where Ashared was.
“Raise your hands,” the alpha ordered.
Lannahi glanced in his direction and discovered that he had stopped in the middle of the road and his gaze was on her.
“You three,” he said with emphasis. “Raise your hands. If you try any tricks, your companions will soon turn into frozen carrion.”
Blann obeyed immediately. Lannahi didn’t see her face but out of the corner of her eye, she saw that she took her hands out from under the blanket and raised them. Souhi moved uneasily but didn’t carry out the command and neither did Lannahi.
The man smiled, his gaze wandering between them. “I see that the witches are too proud to admit that they fell into a trap. Which one of you calls herself Queen of Goldfrost?”
His last words managed to break through her panic-shrouded mind and Lannahi straightened up reflexively. She was a queen. It didn’t befit a queen to cower in fear.
