There is no reason for me to pull your strings,Sable said, sounding slightly irked by Avalon’s train of thought.But the next time you need assistance getting a stinky flesh bag off you, I’d be happy to help.A pause, and then:Who were those men, anyway?
Members of my father’s guard,Avalon answered, somewhat unwillingly. She and Hadrian had yet to discuss why, exactly, her father’s men had tried to kill them.
And who is your father?
Avalon withheld the answer for a moment, but then she decided there was no point in lying, so she said,The King of the Fey. Some know him as the Dark Lord.
The atmosphere grew tense, and silence stretched between them until Avalon could hardly bear it.
Did Sable know her father? How long had she been trapped inside the mask?
But the warrior simply mused,I think I know that name.
Hadrian stirred where he was sprawled beside her, his bronze hair an adorable mess around his head. Despite the lingering ache in her chest, Avalon smiled slightly.
How’s your pretty boy?Sable snorted a laugh.
Alive,Avalon said softly.Thanks to you.
Where did you find me? I mean… Where did you find the mask?
In the catacombs beneath the House of Ice,Avalon told her. When silence resumed, she continued.Can you really not remember anything?
Nothing,Sable confirmed.
I’m sorry,Avalon thought—and meant it.
Sable snorted.What are you sorry for? You didn’t trap me in this thing, did you?
Avalon shook her head, and even though she didn’t speak for a moment, she knew Sable had seen the motion. She was seeing everything Avalon was seeing: the fire glinting nearby, the saddlebags and the blankets, the horses tied deeper inside the cave. A dizzy spell washed through her, and she swore Sable groaned at the nausea that gathered swiftly in the pit of her stomach.
No,Avalon finally answered.I’m not the one that did this to you. But I’m still sorry.
Then get me out.Sable’s voice was nearly inaudible.Right now, you’re my only hope.
Hadrian startled Avalon as he mumbled sleepily, his eyelids fluttering as he came awake.
Quickly, Avalon removed the mask, but instead of putting it back in her bag, she placed it underneath her bedroll, feeling somewhat guilty as she covered it up.
It didn’t take long for her to fall asleep, but Sable’s words followed her into her dreams.
You’re my only hope.
11
Unfortunately for Nocturne, the storm was no excuse to stay inside.
Shortly after Killian and the Firedrakes arrived, snow hit the House of Ice in a horizontal blur. The blizzard continued all through the night, and the howling wind and blinding snow refused to relent the following morning, when the Wolf Pack set off into the woods to practice the art of killing.
Flanked by Zenaide and Killian’s men, the Dragon and the alpha carved a path through evergreens and blackberry thickets, and the soldiers followed closely behind. It was no surprise that Nocturne was at the very back of the group, trailing behind everyone like a pup.
Only three packs were present. Killian preferred to instruct small groups at a time, for it allowed him to work one-on-one with every soldier. The thought of having the Dragon’s keen gaze on Nocturne made her queasy.
Already, she had considered making an escape. She was trailing far enough behind that she could easily vanish into the blizzard. But Ailish had been throwing her sneers all morning, and if there was one person who would ruin her chance at escaping, it was her. As a talented soldier who excelled at any task given to her, Ailish could easily be in the front, right behind Kit and Killian. Instead, she was choosing to be back here, close enough to taunt Nocturne. Perhaps instead of running away, Nocturne should use the blinding snow as a cover, and tear Ailish’s throat open.
But her hands were shaking so hard that attacking anyone was the last thing she would be able to do. Her bones ached from the cold, and her skin raw from the wind.
Her mother’s necklace hung around her neck today. The chain was crafted from fine silver, and a stone of lapis swung about as she walked. Every evening, when she climbed into bed, she kissed the stone before hiding it underneath her lumpy mattress. She’d put on the necklace today because she needed the strength; she only prayed it would stay hidden inside her shirt. The last thing she wanted was to lose the only reminder she had left that she’d ever had a family.
