AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I throw on a jumper and head out into the hall, slowly and quietly shutting my door behind me.
It’s time to find Sarvi.
I go to the end of the hall, where the circular staircase winds up to Sarvi’s room at the top of the castle. Even in the dead of night, the black candles along the wall flicker and burn, dripping onyx wax below that never seems to add up. Magic.
I knock quietly on Sarvi’s door, hoping the unicorn is in there. I don’t hear anything until it suddenly swings open, a velvet rope in Sarvi’s bony jaw pulling the door.
Tuonen, the unicorn says with a shake of their head, what are you doing here? It’s the middle of the night.
“I know, I’m sorry. It’s important I talk to you.” I pause. “And it’s important you don’t tell anyone about this. Can I trust you?”
They stare at me, tilting their head slightly. The flickering flames from the hallway dance in their one eye, making their black mane gleam with gold.
Finally, a faint nod.Come on in, Lord Tuonen.
Though Lord isn’t an official title of mine, I do appreciate it when Sarvi uses it—makes me feel like I actually amount to something in this world.
I step inside, the door closing behind me, and follow the unicorn across the room, their hooves clicking on the shiningobsidian floors. They lead me over to the single armchair draped in black furs and meant for human guests. Though I’ve never been to the Upper World like Lovia has, I know enough about their culture from her and from the dead I’ve ferried to the city to know that Sarvi’s chambers would be considered heaven for goths.
I sit on the arm of the chair, not wanting to get too comfortable.
What seems to be the problem?Sarvi asks, tailing swishing.
I clear my throat. “I don’t think the father I went to Inmost with is the father who came back.”
Sarvi’s nostrils flare on a deep inhale with air that never fills lungs, for Sarvi has no lungs, because Sarvi isn’t alive. They’re not alive, but they can die.
What makes you say that?
“I saw him come out of the dungeons, not wearing gloves, a wound on his arm that healed before my eyes, and moments later, Hanna almost touched his hand before she realized her mistake.”
I’m sure it was instinctual, Sarvi says.Reaching for her king’s hand for comfort.
“But my father would never make such a careless mistake as to forget his gloves and not warn her and everyone else about it. He did no such thing with me.”
I see. You’re right. It’s always on his mind.
“Then, when we left the city, a snowstorm swept in. I’d never felt bitter cold like that before—have you?”
The unicorn shakes its head.
“Why a storm when my father has seemed happier than ever?”
I did question that myself, Sarvi muses.He was astride me during the storm, and he seemed jovial, perhaps even happier than earlier.
“You must have been inquisitive?” I prod. “Did you try to read his thoughts?”
I would never do such a thing,Sarvi says haughtily.You know me better than that.
I stare at them steadily before finally, they give their head a shake.I tried. He had blocked me. Hanna, too. I figured they needed privacy, so I didn’t push it.
“Uh huh. Then we got home, and Tapio mentioned leaving in the morning to talk to his son about taking over my duties as ferryman. Neither Hanna nor my father showed any emotion whatsoever that Tapio agreed to this. I at least expected it from Hanna, but staring into her eyes, it was like there was nothing there at all. Just a void.”
That could mean anything, Sarvi says.
“Then Tapio pulled me aside and told me he had plans to leave immediately, that he thought something was wrong, that he and his family shouldn’t stay the night here.”
Sarvi’s head perks up.Really?
