Page 218 of Winter Gods & Serpents

He stood taken aback by my words. “How do you plan on stopping him?”

“With wits, persistence and an army.”

“Adriata's?”

“We shall find out. I want to know, would you be on my side if that were to happen?” Venzor did not support my father and never had, a city as influential would give me the greatest leverage considering Grasmere was yet under my foot.

He frowned at my proposal. “Snowlin, I am Isjordian, I—”

“There is no choosing in life or death, you are either for the living or with my father,” I interrupted.

He ran his finger through his hair all distress. I understood his doubt. “You will need many on your side.”

“I don’t need to get anyone on my side, I am the side, everyone else is just simply making smart decisions.”

“Would it mean something to you if I chose life?”

“Yes, it would mean that I was not wrong about you. It would mean your debt to me is paid.”

His eyes hardened at my words and he carefully took note of all my seriousness before he bowed his head slightly. “Then you have my pledge.”

My smile grew gleefully, and I nodded in thanks. And just like that my seventh oar would soon be resting on its thole ready to be stirring at my order.

He headed to gather his team and prepare for the journey, letting me sift my thoughts and begin to regret accepting to have him be the escort, my brain was already in a thunder I did not need a tornado in there as well. The first face my eyes focused on was Kilian’s, who had narrowed his ones onto Elias. That maddening dimple on full display, such a giving trait it did him no favour to hide his anger.

“Good news or the least good one?” I teased the three surprised idiots and my angry silver eyed snake. “Well, you have no choice but hear both. We have the blessings for the journey, but he is to come with us along with his men,” I explained pointing towards Elias. “Shall we? You have all the way to marvel at him.”

Kilian walked over to me as everyone gathered their bearings for the journey. I was mad at the fool, very mad. His hand rested on the hollow of my neck pulling me into his warm embrace. His mouth brushed the shell of my ear, a shiver travelling down my spine.

“Hello, my sweet villain,” he whispered softly.

I rolled my eyes. “Hello, soon to be eunuch.”

He cocked his head back and chuckled darkly, shaking in amusement. Had I stared a bit longer at the extension of his neck or at that jaw that cut through air, I’d drooled all over myself and him. I bit my lip, swallowing hard and made to sulkily walk away but his firm hand gripped my wrist, spinning me in place like a needle and straight onto his chest for another embrace. His hands teasing every inch of my back. I knew then why cats had domesticated—he could domesticate me all he wanted if it meant to be caressed like the sort.

“Don’t be mad, my little beast, if I stayed last night, there would be no morning and no other day for that matter.”

I reached down slapping his perfect arse viciously. “Don’t speak like that, you deceiving, sadist bastard. You turn me on and then expect me to stew on my own frustration?”

He tilted his head so endearingly looking down at me I almost collapsed in his arms. I would have, almost, had he nodded and said, “Yes.”

I bit my lip, a sneer twisted in my face in threat. “Well then, maybe I’ll visit Elias. He is very eager and never expects that of me.”

His grip loosened and he pulled an inch away, lids darkly lowered examining me, his top lip slightly twitching in evident anger.

“What?” I asked, batting my lashes guilelessly.

“Well done, I think you have achieved to make me jealous for the first time in my life.”

A smile crept on my face. “Is that so? Then that makes it even, I am no longer mad,” I said, patting his chest and strutting away, making sure to sway my hips slightly more than usual. I knew it was a job well done when he blew a frustrated breath that turned to a low groan.

* * *

Winter had become unbearably rough, snow climbed in feet tall walls along the main Isjordian road officials used, making us feel trapped as the only visible routes were that ahead and the one we were leaving behind. Everyone had gone completely still, especially our team, even my men were tensing around those of Elias, as if they could not trust their own comrades.

We arrived at Sodart, the furthest Isline village that rested the closest to the other Krigborn territory. The small gathering of houses stood right by the slope of the mountains, massive, unwelcoming giants of frost and magic. It radiated that core magic that no longer surrounded Isjord, primal. The Isliners were said to still possess the raw magic of our ancestors, yet they never had dared or even craved for power or rule over Isjord. Quietly they’d settled in the roughest smallest patch of land, offered more out of petty then thought but they’d thrived within their own. I wonder if they knew of my father, the kingdom killer, if they knew of me, beast of legends. Their belief was rawer too, no sacred books, no tales of other gods, just sheer adoration, and devotion to Krieg. Khȏl, mon vȃl Khȏl, Krig. God, only one god, Krig.

The whole atmosphere had changed from my last visit, the wooden houses were lifeless and emptied. Wind whistled loudly between them, few elderly Isjordians crossed by us, their faces drowned in grimness. These people were suffering at the hands of Solaryans but at the expense of their own king’s doing.