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“What is it?”
“He didn’t say,” she said, her green eyes dancing with interest of her own. Since we’d met several weeks ago in the healing ward, we’d grown much closer. The two of us had worked side by side for days on end, and after the numbers of soldiers began to trickle down, we’d met up with each other almost every day, sometimes over a glass of mulled wine in the great hall and other times over breakfast in the servants’ quarters.
Her main role in the castle was much like mine back home on Earth. I would help her out with her duties on occasion, which she protested adamantly, but I understood how work like hers could be lonely because I had done it, too.
Her jovial mood was always contagious, and just being around her made me feel more at home than anything else. She also helped acclimate me to the realm of Icegard, explaining simple things like the proper names for different types of food, important events in the realm’s history, as well as small details about Nykor—like the time he’d stepped down as king, or more about the woman Yasmina he’d loved long ago. He’d told me a little about her, but Valencia offered much more of the whole story than the pained one he’d given me.
Nykor hadn’t been with a single woman after her death, at least not until me. Valencia had told me that the entire staff had been in an uproar when he’d arrived with me, not out of concern, but out of excitement. They respected their king and had only wanted him to be happy.
“He loves you, you know,” Valencia exclaimed.
“I don’t know…” I replied. Neither of us had been bold enough to say it out loud, but I desperately wanted him to be the one to say it first.
“You know he does, even if he hasn’t said ityet,” she said, her voice slightly scolding.
I rolled my eyes and reached for the light blue bow, slowly grasping the end and untying it. Once the top of the box was free, I lifted the lid. Inside was a gorgeous set of white leather armor lined with navy blue embroidery. I lifted the chest piece free from the box, delighting at the intricate circular dragon emblem stitched into it. There was a matching pair of bracers, shoulder guards, and a navy pair of leather pants. There was a knee length leather overskirt that would allow for easy movement on the battlefield.
“Wow,” I murmured.
“And you continue to question him,” she said with a warm, understanding smirk.
“Maybe you’re right,” I admitted, and she laughed.
“I’ve got stable duties today. Care to join me?” she asked. She knew I enjoyed spending time with the castle horses most of all.
“I’d like that. Why don’t I get dressed and meet you in the great hall in about a half hour?”
“I’ll see you there!” She grinned, glancing towards the box.
I placed all the contents back inside and lifted it off the cart. She dipped her head, taking her leave and bringing the cart along with her. I went back inside, placed the box down on the table inside the bedroom, and dressed in a comfortable pair of dark grey leggings, a white cotton shirt, and a black leather waist wrap, as well as a pair of knee-high leather riding boots. I pulled a brush through my hair, detangling all the knots before I wove it into a single braid that fell down my back. I’d taken to carrying a dagger in a sheath that clasped around my leg, which I buckled into place. When I was ready, I headed down to the great hall to find Valencia already waiting for me.
Her warm, welcoming smile lit up her whole face, and I grinned along with her. She took the lead even though the two of us had been to the stable many times together. Once inside, I greeted several of the now familiar horses with a pat on the nose before I gave them each a carrot as a treat. The stalls needed mucking out, which Valencia insisted on doing herself. I busied myself with taking out Luna, a gray and white patched mare who needed a bath and a good brushing.
The day passed by quickly, and when the sun finally dipped down beneath the edge of the horizon, much of the usual daytime stable staff had disappeared until the only ones left were me and Valencia. She was in good spirits as she looked this way and that before reaching behind one of the hay bales and pulling out a glass jug full of red wine.
“This was sent as part of a special cask for the king, but there’s always a small barrel set aside for kitchen staff and the rest of us,” she explained with a grin. When she pulled out two pewter goblets, I couldn’t help but laugh along with her.
“You come prepared,” I said with amusement.
“That I do,” she winked. She pulled out the stopper and poured us both a healthy glass. She took a seat and offered one of the goblets to me. I sat down beside her and took a large swig. The two of us enjoyed each other’s company for a long while, indulging in a second glass before I realized how late it was.
“This has been a lot of fun, but I should go. Nykor will miss me if I don’t come to bed,” I murmured.
I made a move to stand up, but Valencia moved so quickly beside me that I didn’t see the leather cord in her hands until she had it wrapped around my throat. I shrieked with alarm, but she pulled the cord tight enough to cut off my cry, strangling me in the process.
“You’re not going back,” Valencia replied, but there was a distinct change to her voice. She didn’t sound like herself anymore, and the hair on my arms rose on end.
“Valencia,” I managed, but she yanked the cord tighter, chuckling, and I had the sudden, very distinctive feeling that something was terribly wrong.
“You’re not from here, Ella Snow, but orcs and wraiths aren’t the only things you should be afraid of. Sometimes, there’s more insidious things that go bump in the night,” she replied.
“What are you?” I whispered, scarcely able to get the words out.
“I’m a changeling. My name is Mais,” she growled.
“What happened to Valencia?” I replied, my horror welling up from the tips of my toes in a bone-chilling rush of ice.
“She’s dead,” she replied, and the cackle that followed made my blood run cold. A wave of dizziness passed over me, and I cried out as the world seemingly wavered right before my eyes.
