Page 195 of Winter Gods & Serpents

Nia covered her eyes with a hand and murmured silently. “Sails and anchors, here we go again.”

Moriko stared confused at the both of us. “I do not understand.”

I offered her a smile. “I only need Lord of Brisk to pledge on my side, not for you to understand.”

She scoffed. “Has anyone told you that you are too rude for the title you hold, princess?”

“Yes, plenty. Yet politeness isn’t what granted me this deal.”

Moriko turned to Nia. “Is she always this rude?”

“Does the wind blow?” my friend asked in all seriousness, and Moriko smiled followed by an oddly shy Nia.

“Very well then,” the autumn queen said. “You have your bargain, Lord of Brisk will pledge on your side as long as you hold your side of it.”

“As I told you, I have my mother's character. Many others tell me I also have my grandfather Jonah’s bargaining skills and his truth in promise.”

“And her guardian's stabby character,” Nia warned bravely. “In case you do not hold to hers and betray the trust she has bestowed you by asking of this favour.”

I glanced to my friend and the sudden oddness to her character.

Moriko nodded. “Well warned, miss Helenia.”

We sat there taking in all the information for a long while—long enough I had not noticed it was growing dark outside.

“Do you think she lied?”

“I don’t know, what does miss Helenia think?” She reddened at my words and my mouth drew open in surprise. “Someone has been impressed.”

She slapped my shoulder and stood quickly. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

I was being ridiculous? “Will you run to the crafter? I want to know if those patterns are truly tracing halos. I recognized the scent of Melanthe’s magic in the quartzes. I think Moriko Uzumi was right.”

“If you want to have lone time with Kil darling, just ask.”

I pinched her nose. “The crafter, miss Helenia.” She turned red again. “Odd,” I said with a raising smirk. “I didn’t know queens stroked your fancy.”

“I didn’t know enemies stroked yours.”

“You know I have done worse.”

“Actually, I don’t think you have done better.” She put a hand over her mouth to hide a giggle while waving me a little goodbye with the other. “Say hi for me to Kil darling.”

In all similar fashion how I solved all my problems I shoved two middle fingers up in the air.

Once I was left to the sound of my head I drowned in worry. My plans have shifted more than I’d like to count, it was becoming hard to keep focus on taking over Isjord when my father was spinning all sorts in the background. The worst part was that all seemed to be all over the place and loosely linked to each other but all related to one. There was fear of war. One that looked to be initiated by my father…again. To do what, expand lands, resources and working force? Oddly, it was all what my father probably needed.

“Snow,” Albius called behind me. He had disappointed me the most, but to take the measures that he had meant that he also feared war. Meeting Moriko should have been a choice made by me. If anyone had grabbed whiff of our meeting or if Moriko’s intentions had not been sincere, Albius could have put me in serious danger.

“I just want to know,” I said, interrupting myself to swallow the pressure raising behind my throat. “Were all your stories true or did you need me that much that you made them up?”

His head lowered to the ground, pensive and guilty. “All, word by word, true and deeply meant,” he responded, pursing his lips back apologetically.

I did not like to be caught by surprise, worst to be used. It reminded me of my purpose, that of an object and to be treated as such by someone I had not only respected but trusted hurt even more. “Then I believe I still have our alliance.”

“It was a blood promise, you will always have me at your side.”

I nodded. Albius had not needed to be compromised, an oar who had leaped to faith of my intentions to be good. One whom perpetually doubted my father and his perpetual plans of mass destruction. The lord had gone beyond everyone else and had tied his allegiance to me deeper, sworn an oath of blood and magic, one that if he broke would demand his life as payment.