My stomach knots. “What is he hunting?”
Famine grins from ear to ear, amused. “Don’t fret, my love. You’re enough woman for all of us.”
“Elk,” War snorts. “He’s hunting elk and rabbit.”
“Of course.” I feel my cheeks heat.
The rest of the meal is eaten in silence except for the clanking of forks against plates. I am especially ravenous today. I slather a generous heap of blackberry jam over a hot cross bun and moan into my first bite. The food tastes better here for some reason. The flavors are sharper, more fragrant, and decadent. “You give me every sinful thing,” I purr.
They watch in amusement as I devour two more buns and a mountain of strawberries. From the fancy clothes to feasts like this, I am getting spoiled. But it’s the games we play in the dark that stoke my deepest appetites. With each passing night, the more I know I belong here.
I pop one more bite into my mouth and throw my hands up. “I can’t eat another. Shall we go for a walk? I fear I may have made myself sick.”
Famine laughs as he offers me his arm while Death and War lead us outside the castle. I flinch as the icy wind whips through my hair. It’s not as biting when I’m up on the terrace. But as I slosh through the snow, my boots sinking with each step, the last traces of winter seem to hold us in an iron grip.
The sound of hooves pounding in the distance sends my heart racing.Conquest. I don’t like being without any of them these days. If one of them isn’t present, then we aren’t whole.
Through the frost that falls like powdered sugar, I spot him, his light-brown hair blowing wildly behind him. He gallops toward us at full speed. When he gets close enough for us to lock eyes, my stomach knots.
There’s a forceful air about him… an urgency.
Conquest yanks on the reins, bringing his horse to a complete stop. “What are you all doing out here? It’s freezing.”
“This one wanted to walk,” Famine snorts.
Conquest scans the hills behind us. “I bring news.”
A chill snakes up my back. “Oh? Do tell.”
He exchanges a knowing look between Death, Famine, and War. They communicate silently with each other. Centuries of riding together have given them a bond that can be felt in their presence.
But the longer he takes to tell us, the more my anxiety grows. “Please, what is the news?”
He sighs before dismounting. It takes only two large strides for him to reach me. “My hunt led me to the edge of the woods, near your village. The smoke has all but dissipated, leaving nothing but wood frames and charred ground.”
My heart sinks. “Is it truly gone?”
He nods and takes my hands in his. “I hid in the brush when I saw movement. There was a young woman hobbling around. She appears to be the only survivor.”
I squeeze his wrists. “What did she look like? Did you talk to her? Where did she go?”
The others surround me, concerned, as if I could break like glass at any moment.
Conquest continues, “She had a braid of strawberry blonde hair, woven together by a blue ribbon. Her eyes were the same as yours. But I couldn’t reach her before she got into the carriage.”
A wave of dizziness threatens to knock me to the ground.The ribbon I gave her.“That has to be Lucy. No one else in our village looks like that.”She’s alive… “Wait, what of the carriage?”
“I couldn’t see from my angle without being discovered. It was most likely someone traveling through and spotted the rubble. But at least you know she’s alive. And safe. She did not seem to be in distress. You no longer have to carry the burden.” Conquest nudges me forward, back toward the castle.
I nod, dumbfounded. I am pleased to hear of my sister but also more confused. And curious as to where she went. Is she truly safe? Will I ever see her again? I fear that I won’t. It will have to be enough to know that she made it out alive. I can onlyassume she knows that I did as well. She must know that is why Saint Nick has burned our village to the ground.
Once back inside, Death pulls me to him in front of the blazing hearth. “Winter is almost over, my love. With spring comes new beginnings. Awilderhunt.”
“We can frolic and chase each other through these woods without threat,” Famine drawls.
I perk up at that. “You mean I’ll be able to roam farther away from the castle soon?”
War nods. “Saint Nick can’t stand the sweet brightness of springtime. He will not be a problem again until next winter.”
