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Eirah could lie to herself and say it wouldn’t happen again or that she didn’t want his mouth on hers because he did the same. Every time he thought it was only a harmless taunt, kiss, or touch. It was a lie.
And now she saw that, much to Morozko’s dismay. He’d have to be careful about guarding his thoughts better in her presence.
He swallowed roughly and wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb. “You want answers, and I think it’s time I give you some. But you have to show up this time.” Not only did she deserve the truth, but with the horror the villagers now faced and his visions growing clearer, Eirahhadto know.
“I will. I truly need to know,” Eirah whispered. Relief flooded her gaze, and he knew he’d danced around the truth long enough.
“Your Majesty.” Captain Andras pounded a fist to his chest, bowing, using the exact moment to seek Morozko out and interrupt them. “The mortal is healed. What would you have us do next?”
Morozko glanced at Eirah, who lifted her hands to her face, and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “Set up camp for the evening. We can inhabit some homes of villagers. Don’t force your way in. If they refuse, we can sleep on the ground for a night.” He shrugged. The last thing the villagers needed was another conflict—and this time with the royal guard. In the morning, they’d have to search the area. They hadn’t come with a large party, and the villagers needed their resources. It would have to wait.Thosebastards would have to wait. “We can assess the situation better come morning.” He shifted his weight, hand on one hip, as he waited for the captain to excuse himself, but the male only lifted a brow.
“Are you all right, Your Majesty?”
Surely he didn’t look as ruffled as he felt? Although, if his captain was inquiring, he must have. “Quite,” Morozko spoke through gritted teeth and motioned for the captain to leave. “You’re dismissed.”
Eirah took two steps in Andras’s direction before she paused, as if unsure if she should remain behind or check on her father. “I’m going to see my father now.”
Morozko loosed a breath. “Go. I don’t fault you for wanting to see for yourself.” The last time she had seen her father was when she’d bid him farewell at the selection Vinti had hosted. Eirah had endured far more than her father would ever know in a short amount of time. Pushed her body to the breaking point, only to do it again. He frowned.Because of me.
“You will tell me everything when I’m done, then?” She continued to look over her shoulder at him.
He nodded. “You have my word.”
Eirah darted around a bush, racing forward, leaving Morozko to his thoughts.
He would’ve preferred the knife biting into his throat than being left alone to mull over everything, but here he was. He reached above, snapping a branch off so he could crack it in several places. As if it would relieve his tension.
Tell her what you know. Tell her the truth. What you know and what you’ve seen.
I don’t want to. Because if I do, it’s acknowledging what will happen.
Morozko tossed the broken branch aside, and rather than pace a rut into the ground, he slid down the tree trunk, then sat.
What he knew was that Eirah didn’t mean harm in his visions. She was there to help, and she cared for him in the images. That she could shift at will, communicate with her owl like he could with Nuka, and wield magic similar to his. But the remaining questions were, how would she aid Frosteria? Was it truly only in death that she could help?
Twigs snapped, then the sound of tree limbs creaking brought his attention toward the higher boughs. Nuka’s yellow eyes homed in on him, his white brows furrowing in canine confusion.
Upset?Nuka didn’t speak but conveyed images of discontent in Morozko’s head, which he translated intoupset.
“When am I not?” Morozko snatched up a leaf, shredding it before tossing it. The bits rained down onto his thigh, and rather than wait for Eirah to return, he stood again and took off down the road.
Not all the homes in Vinti had burned down. Smoke still spilled out of a handful of cottages, perfuming the air with its heavy scent. His guards aided the villagers, some carrying the bodies of the deceased, while others were extinguishing the last of the flames with their magic.
You’re the king! Why did you let this happen?
Eirah’s words played over in his mind. Morozko hadn’t justletit happen. He wasn’t keen on admitting he’d failed to protect Vinti. However, it wasn’t all onhim. Still, he loathed to admit that he hadn’t prevented the massacre.
When he came to a cottage, still burning, Morozko called upon his magic. Snow dust kicked around him, rising as a cyclone, then, with his hand, he sliced downward. The burst of snow extinguished the fire without damaging the rest of the home too much.
Long before Eirah spoke, he could smell her on the breeze. The herbal soap clung to her, melding with a scent wholly her own. “Your Majesty,” Eirah said, sidling up to his side.
Morozko turned on his heel, scrutinizing her features. Her eyes were red from crying, but there was less tension in her body than before.
“My father is resting now.” She nodded, pressing her lips together. “Thank you for sending a healer.”
Morozko remained quiet, his eyes shifting back to the burned home. He wasn’t precisely relieved, but he was, he supposed,gladfor Eirah.
“I heard the guard is staying in the village.”
