“Have yousaltedand burned the ground after removing the trunks?”
Greer paused midway through a swing of his axe. He turned to stare wide-eyed at Snow. Vor did much the same until the two men spun for look at one another. No words were shared, just that shocked look and blinking.
After a few seconds, Vor focused on Snow again, his brow furrowing.“Saltthe earth?”
Was his idea really so silly? Warmth crept over Snow’s face. “I—I only mentioned it because I overheard one of our soldiers once say that’s what we should’ve done to Fuelders after they’d burned down our crops. He said it would ensure nothing would grow for many years.”
Greer and Vor stared at him as if he’d grown another head.
“I don’t know how right he was, of course,” Snow rambled, wishing he’d said nothing at all. “I am no farmer—or tree tender, whatever they’re called.” He shrugged. “Ihaveheard salt is effective against repelling some magicks, as well, so mayhap it wouldn’t be the worst idea?”
After Greer and Vor both turned to strike their trees a few times, they both twisted back to stare at Snow.
“Forget I mentioned it,” Snow said, face burning.
“Scorched earth,” Greer said, shaking his head. He eyed Vor.“Whydid we not think of that?”
Vor grabbed Snow and spun him in a circle before lowering him to the ground and stealing a kiss. He smiled down at Snow, his smile brighter than it had ever been.“Scorchedearth.”
“Is it a good idea?” Snow asked, hopeful.
“We won’t know until we try—but it’s something we hadn’t thought to attempt before. We should have.”
“Should I run back and get some salt?” Snow asked, already spinning towards the root cellar. “There’s a large bag there.”
“Nay,”Vor said, gently grabbing his arm. “The bag is too heavy for you to haul. By the time you get back, the sun will already be low in the sky.” A pained look crossed his face. “We’ll try tomorrow.”
“And since the salt is in the root cellar, you’ll have an unending supply,” Snow said. Excitement made him bounce on his toes. “I so hope this works.”
Vor grimaced. “Me, too, my sweet, clever boy. But let us get back to work for now.” He stole another kiss. “We’ll see you at home soon.”
Home.While he didn’t want the cottage to be his home, wherever Vor was felt like it was. Snow gathered his basket of leftovers and offered them a wave goodbye. He tried not to get his hopes up on the walk back to the cottage, but joy filled his heart.
Scorched earth might save them.
Hisidea might save them.
That evening, it was all the alphas could talk about, their excitement heady. Snow owed them so much for saving himfrom the cold, dark forest. Hopefully he’d found their escape from it.
Two evenings later,Snow had a cauldron of curry prepared and more naan made. He paced the main hall, frantic to know the results of their test from the day before. Vor had made him promise to stay near the cottage all day. Vor claimed he didn’t want Snow choking on the smoke from the fires, but he’d overheard Shen and Hwa whispering before they’d left, worried the wizard might sense them breaking the spell and make an appearance in the wood.
Snow wished he’d not promised anything after hearing that. He should’ve walked to the clearing site with them that morning to see the results from the previous day instead of pacing the cottage awaiting news—all while worried they’d been harmed by the wizard. If they were, it would have been his fault, and he wasn’t sure he could live with that guilt.
When the door finally swept open, their faces were grim as they trudged inside. None would meet his curious stare, their shoulders slumped.
“Oh no,”Snow whispered under his breath. “Did I make things worse again?”
Vor walked closer and stopped in front of him, towering above. He shook his head, sighing. “Not worse.”
Snow frowned, confused.
Vor burst into a wide, toothy smile. “The trees we salted and burneddidn’tgrow back. Not a single one.”
“What?!”Snow gasped, his heart stuttering in his chest. “They didn’t?!”
Vor picked him up and spun him around the cottage. Snow was dizzy when his feet met the stone floor again, only to be gathered up into hug after hug and spun a few more times. That night was a celebration. The ale flowed along with the last bottle of Greer’s brandy. Snow’s curry was praised and devoured by seven hungry alphas—and Shen proclaimed it better than his own. Even Klaus smiled and kissed his cheeks, pleased with him for once.
The celebration continued well into the night, with them naked and huddled together near the fire. The light from the flames danced over their naked, gleaming bodies while their shadows fell across the walls. The shapes almost appeared like an audience, willing them to go faster… harder.
