Page 47 of Season Warriors & Wolves

“It is set, then,” I said, throwing my napkin on the plate and standing. Before I left, I turned to Melanthe whose eyes almost glowed from satisfaction of whatever she was planning. “Waiting for the right moment is a virtue I’ve not learned from my father.”

She stopped chewing and narrowed her eyes on me when I picked up an apple from the table. The way her body recoiled, almost expecting me to hit her, satisfied me. What a good pet.

“Why pluck a heart that is not yet ripe.” I looked over at my father and sang him the same song he had taunted me with, “How terrible it is to have something worth losing.”

A child.

A kingdom.

A weapon.

A war.

A future.

“The list is getting long,” I said, taking a bite of the sweet fruit and leaving towards the winter gardens—where my mother was still buried.

“He is meeting with the unblessed princes,” Moregan said from under the shadows of the winter shrubs. “Talk is that they are considering doing business with Silas again. Without their king’s knowledge.”

Of course, that was why he was coming with us. “Doubtful it would pass under his nose.”

“You think the Unblessed King will accept it, too?”

“I am not certain. They might be planning a coup. It wouldn’t be the first time in Vrammethen history.”

“It would be too much ruckus for nothing.”

“Or just enough. They might not be joining my father’s war, but they would be forfeiting any help they could offer us. Believe me, the losses are greater if the odds end as so.” I cleaned my mother’s head stone, picking away the moss and the odd vines that had climbed onto the grey marble. “How is Demir?”

“Sick, from what I’ve heard. You were right about the blue gyre.”

“Is it working for you?”

“Made me sick at the start, but the symptoms are lessening. I can finally sleep. My mind is not so hazy, and I remember most that has happened during the times I turn into the creature.”

“I’ll figure out what she’s done to you, Skadi. We’ll reverse it, or at least take away her control of you.”

“I doubt it. I don’t know what she’s planted in me, but I know it has grown roots deep inside through the years. My people always warned me about dark magic.”

“For now, keep taking the blue gyre. Do not stop unless it is causing you ill.”

“As you say.”

“Skadi.”

She hesitated in the evening silence. “Yes?”

“Make sure to free my brother-in-law without being seen. My husband will greatly need your assistance from inside since Elias will probably be sent somewhere far from here now that father does not have something over him. I can already see he doesn’t trust Elias much anymore.”

“What about you? Are you going to wait for the Night King?”

“I’ve only planned it so far.”

“Would Silas let you remain heir after? How will we communicate after your return?”

I bent down and traced a finger over my mother’s name engraved on the stone. Wish I didn’t leave you here. Wish I’d brought you home again. “Me and you might not for much longer, but my husband will send my bonded, Memphis, to deliver messages to you. Elias has probably already passed the news I gave to him.”

Melanthe stood before me, holding open a portal. “You have an hour, and my magic will pull you back here. Attempt to play any games and you are well aware what will happen to the prince.”