Page 254 of Spring Guardians & Songbirds

Chapter thirty-eight

Copetum

Kilian

War was at my doorstep and there were a thousand things I had to arrange and think about yet there was nothing occupying my mind beside her. Wherever I turned there was a piece of her. I felt her everywhere. She was forever a part of me. Knowing her, she had reached a tipping point when she’d learned of what she was—who she really was. And worry had exhausted my ability to exhale fully.

A gentle knock rasped on my door and then Thora popped her head inside. The only thing that shone a bit of light these days had been her—she’d shone it on my brother and Driada, too. I was glad she was able to stay a bit longer. “Would you mind taking me to Taren. I can’t find Mal. Some of the servants say he has already left for Taren early this morning.”

Mal? Why would he be in Taren? I stood and threw my jacket back on. “I’ll take you.”

She took my hand and a second later we stood at the roof of Taren. Bright daylight stretched over the endless skies, and the city ahead seemed to glow in it. Even the mountain faces had received a virid glow.

The younger sister tugged my sleeve. “Help me get down the stairs, you know I hate the height.”

“Thought you were getting better.”

After practically dragging me along, she gave me a coy smile over her shoulder. “I am.”

“Thora,” I warned.

“Perhaps you can see Snow. It has been days and she won’t come out of Visha’s lair—she’s even slept there. Her poor hair has gotten all tangled. I know you must at least feel sorry for that, your hands are always in her hair.”

“Don’t get me in trouble now.”

“You’re right on time,” Alaric said, coming from the other end of the corridor. The man looked like he’d lost fifty years out of his lifetime. Was Snow still not speaking to him? “Join the court meeting.”

“I don’t think that is right, Alaric, and you know it,” I said, bowing. “With your permission.”

“Join,” Snow’s cold voice echoed from the end of the corridor and my chest sighed with some relief. There were deep shadows under her eyes that had gone a dull amber. Damned hells, this woman. Making my heart bleed without even breathing near her dagger. “I think you might want to sit this one in.”

Alaric’s expression pursed with apology, and he tried to reach a hand to Snow, but she pulled away from him wearing violence in her face.

Not like this. I didn't want to leave her like this. Fragmenting to pieces again. Not when I’d had her so whole in my arms not long ago.

The air was cold. Snow’s court had filled the meeting room, my brother and her siblings joining too. What was Mal doing here?

Bayrd, the Volant leader, was replaced by his daughter, Tristin, and I was sure Snow had a hand in his retirement. The discussion had switched from the Fogling disappearances to the shipments from Drava they were expediting to the unblessed isles, to the new sceptre piece in our hold, but I paid attention to nothing.

My attention was on her. Her expression was not only void of emotion but filled with something darker. Detachment.

Several times I’d attempted to catch her attention yet nothing.

Just once.

Just one more time.

Look at me one more time.

Just look at me, love.

I needed to see those eyes. I needed to see what they were saying. I needed to see her troubles. Only this one last time.

A knock rasped at the door and Snow finally lifted her gaze and met mine. Gods spare us all. The look she wore chilled every fibre in my body.

Visha entered the room, bowed at the table and turned to Snow. “We have found the location for the Adriatian sceptre piece.”

The court went wide-eyed at Visha’s words. Quiet terror reigned among her court. Looks were exchanged between many. Few aimed at me.