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“It seems odd.” I glanced around at the woodland. “For the past few weeks, their lives have been integrally connected with our own and now…now it feels like we’re splitting off into different directions. I feel kind of isolated.”
“I know what you mean. In a way, I think you’ve got it easier. Tabera has been dead for some time. You don’t have to follow directly in the footsteps of someone who was beloved by her people. I feel like I’m going to be compared every time I turn around. Lainule did it this way…Lainule said that…Lainule would have made a different decision. Chatter says that I’m overthinking the matter, but…”
“But it’s true.” I reached out, took her hand. “You’re right, it is going to be harder for you. But you’ll do fine. I’ll do fine. We have to believe that.”
“We’d better go—they’ll be expecting us soon.” Rhia turned to the guards. “We’re ready.” And so, with two in front of us and two to the rear, we took off, running at top speed until we spotted the edge of the Golden Wood.
As we slowly exited the forest, slowing to a normal pace, the Veil House was lit up and looked warm and cozy from the outside. Luna was standing on the back porch, and she waved to us and said something over her shoulder.
“Are they safe? What if the day-runners come back?”
“Chatter and I ordered a dozen guards to keep watch. They’re hidden around the property. Luna and Peyton should be safe. Kaylin can’t join them yet; it’s going to take him a while to recuperate.” Rhia waved to Luna, then stopped, turning to me. She moved me off to the side, out of the way of the guards. “I miss this. I miss hanging out with the others, even though we were fighting Myst. I even miss the warehouse. I don’t know how to be a Queen, Cicely. I’m scared.”
I took her hands in mine. She had lost the regal look and now just was my cousin, afraid and looking too tired. “I know, I feel the same, but there’s no going back. Our heartstones belong to the realms. We’re due to marry soon. We’ll adjust, somehow. I just wish Lainule and Wrath hadn’t had to go.”
I took a deep breath and leaned over to kiss her cheek. She hugged me and then, after a moment, we turned, hand in hand, and ran up to the porch, where Luna and Peyton were waiting.
By two thirty, we were walking down the streets of New Forest, like four normal young women on a shopping spree. The guards walked discreetly in back of us, with Rex by their side. The shoppers who passed us whispered, and I had the feeling we were known entities.
Ulean swept against me. If you don’t need me right now, I would like to explore the area, see if I can find any sign of Shadow Hunters.
Go. We’re just going to be shopping. Everything will be fine.
The streets were coated with ice, and the cars that went by drove slowly, cautiously as they navigated through the ever-building snow. The sidewalks were dangerous and slippery, and twice Luna almost fell. Rhiannon wasn’t doing so bad—apparently our transformation had helped her on the snow and ice, the same way Grieve and Chatter and the other Cambyra managed it. Peyton wore thick-soled hiking boots, and they gripped the ice with a surety that I’d never felt. But I—I could practically dance across it now, and I did a couple of delighted spins around the others, giggling as I glided over the thick chunky ice.>I said nothing but rose to exit the room. A page was waiting. He knelt at my feet as I tried to keep my composure.
“Your Highness, I have news of your guard. Fearless? They were able to save the leg, but he will be incapacitated for a long while.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
Grieve thanked him and then stopped him as the boy started to run off. “What time is it?”
“Time? Nearly dawn. The sun breaks in the Court of Rivers and Rushes.”
I looked up at my love. “The longest night is over. But the journey…just begun.”
And since there was little left to say, I told Rhiannon I’d meet her in the common room come noon, and then, slowly, quietly, and with a full guard accompaniment, Grieve, Druise, and I headed back to the realm of Winter to get a few hours of sleep.
Chapter 11
Four hours of sleep later, I opened my eyes, groaning as I realized I had to get up in time to get bathed and dressed and over to meet Rhia by noon. And then I remembered: Wrath and Lainule were gone, and the depression of the night hit me all over again.
As I sat up, I saw that Grieve was already awake and gone. Wondering what the procedure for the day would be now that I was officially in charge, I also saw the silver bell sitting on my nightstand. I rang it and within less than two minutes, Druise entered the room.
She dropped into a deep curtsey as I pushed back the covers and slid out of the bed. “I need to dress for the outer world today. I’m meeting my cousin and we’re going shopping. I need to be able to take my clothes off and on easily, so jeans and a sweater, please.”
Druise nodded. “Yes, Your Highness. What would you like for breakfast?”
“Bacon and eggs. Toast.” I yawned and padded into the bathroom while she popped out to give my order to whomever it was that would be bringing my breakfast. That was another thing I’d have to get used to—I wouldn’t be doing much cooking from now on. Not that I liked to play around in the kitchen much, but raiding the refrigerator at night wasn’t going to be quite as simple now.
I finished in the bathroom—somehow they managed toilets and running cold water, though I had a feeling they didn’t quite work like the ones back home. After washing my hands and then brushing my teeth, I sauntered back into the bedroom. Druise had returned, and she had set up a steaming bowl of water.
“I’m going to need a bath every morning, Druise. We’re going to have to rig up a better way to get hot running water for me, because I’m used to showering twice a day and that’s one thing I don’t want to compromise on.”
She nodded. “I’ll take care of it. We may need a couple of days to set it up, but your wish is our command, Your Highness.” She soaped up a soft cloth and began washing the leftover makeup off my face. “Breakfast will be here in a few moments. His Lordship is with Advisor Strict and bids you to rest today. He said, ‘There will be time enough tomorrow for the running of the realm.’”
I smiled. “His Lordship is a sweetheart. But yes, I do need the day to recuperate. The past few weeks have been hard.” I must have sounded defeated because Druise slipped behind me and began rubbing my shoulders as I dried my face and applied moisturizer.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.” She sounded so sad that I forced a smile to my face.
