Page 36 of Winter Gods & Serpents

“That is on him.”

She exhaled annoyed. “Will you not have a look?” she asked, pointing to the mirror.

I pinched her cheek. “Only when it stops showing me a dark shadow instead of my pretty face.”

Her eyes widened and she glanced shortly at the large mirror. “What dark shadow?”

“You will soon see it too, little carrot.”

She flinched and took small steps back from me. “Ominous aubergine.”

The dining chambers had turned gloomy in expression, everyone stared at me a long while till I sat next to father, who surprisingly looked quite pleased at my attire, probably a little less scandalous than the dresses I had been wearing.

“A soldier indeed,” he interrupted, my attention snapping to him. “But you will break your prisoners with your beauty before your sword touches them, you have your mothers looks,” he said, slowly chewing his breakfast.

I did not know what to feel at such absent words I was hearing for the first time, from my father they were venom coated in sugar. “Well, she unfortunately did not break you, so I shall think my prisoners will be well acquainted with my blade.”

He laughed, a deep dark laugh, like thorns rippling through my ears. Moreen and her half breeds had stopped eating as though they had just heard a bird bark.

Fren stared between her father and me all green in envy before saying, “Don’t give yourself to bitter of an impression to the Adriatians. Us we hold back because we are family but what will they do to you if you speak to their king as if you speak to father? I heard their old king lashed his second wife for speaking to the crown prince, father aren’t they barbarians?” She fluttered her yellow lashes in innocence at him as if excepting a good job pat.

“Worry not about me, Fren dear. I heard the last Lord of Venzor stuffed salt up his consort's arse so she could taste like fish. Maybe this one can stuff your mouth as well and spare us from the misery of hearing your squeaks.”

Elias coughed his water and turned wide eyed at my words. Come now, laugh, it was meant to be funny. Frozen icicles, Isjordians were.

“Elias sweetness, don’t mind her. We will be left in peace soon,” Fren said, offering him a smile.

I turned to Elias. “Can’t say the same about you poor dear. You will be honoured a fallen soldier, brave of you taking one for the kingdom,” I consoled patting his hand. Jokes aside, I felt bad for him, bless his heart.

Father loudly thumped the table with his palm, pulling our attention to him. I had forgotten where we were. “Respect.”

I pursed my lips and nodded. “An adequate heir.”

He frowned confused. “What?”

I shrugged. “I thought we were naming things this kingdom did not have.”

He sighed, frustratingly rubbing his eyes but said nothing more.

I gathered all manner of food my arms could carry and made to leave, only brought to halt from Elias’s hold.

“A moment, alone,” he demanded quietly, but loud enough that surely everyone heard.

I was past being cautious, and Fren was right there, so I seized the moment. “You have been asking for one too many lately, dear.”

He let go of my arm and his eyes went a shade of mellow as though I had hurt him. “Please,” he pushed strongly without an ounce of pleading in it, but I sighed and nodded.

“Fine, one you should have. Just not now, at the library before evening.” I was curious what he would stir up for me now.

* * *

A team of a dozen soldiers in my service awaited ready by the stables, all recommended by Samuel himself. He was particularly cautious who I was to take with me, not everyone was a big admirer of mine sadly. Besides them, my second in command appointed by myself were Nia and Cai, both dressed similarly to me and a gold circlet atop their breast pocket. A hilarious sight, given that both were as good, if not better than me.

Our first orders were to attend trial in Arynth for a crosser and to investigate their part of the wall due to several crossings in the same area.

It was early morning but through the official passage, Sable Abyss, only a few hours ride to Arynth. Hours passed like minutes and we knew city walls were near when the air grew warmer and sweeter. Grass strangely peeked through the snowy ground, Arynth shared its own borders with Hanai, the kingdom of harvest and eternal autumn therefore shared some warmth with their neighbours.

Arynth city walls rose similarly in fashion to Venzor and Tenebrose, though smaller in size the city still grew grand.