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“I’ve heard well enough.No.” His voice left no room for argument.
Eirah narrowed her eyes and continued anyway, “We bring the villagers to your home,outsidethe castle walls. In turn, we are not only protecting them from unknown attacks that may occur, but while they are there, we can discover who precisely may be taken over by changelings. As we wait, we will see if your visions continue, to possibly discover more about the future of things. Having them near your home is only temporary, Morozko. Noteternally.”
“That’s twice you’ve called me Morozko now.” His lips curled up at the edges as he seemed to mull over what she’d said. “I suppose it’s a better option than ending the lives of everyone here.”
Eirah glowered. “That had better be a jest.”
“It wasn’t.” He sighed. “These creatures are dangerous, born of evil, and a risk to the land.”
“Perhaps you shouldn’t only be concerned with theland, but the ones who live here, too.”
His lips formed a thin line as he studied her. “The frost guards will leave now to form the ice housing in the forest near the castle. Fire will be lit in the center of each home to keep the mortals warm while we can also see if anyone appears frightened by the flames. I will tell the village to prepare their sleds and horses to leave tomorrow morning. You will speak of the underlying reason to no one, not your father, not Saren. And if you haven’t already discussed your magic with them, it will be kept a secret for the time being. Do what you need to for now.” With that, he turned on his heel and walked away from her.
Had he listened to her? Given in to her request? He had… Surprise washed over her, along with another feeling she couldn’t quite name.
Eirah tucked the dagger at her waist and went back inside the cottage, finding her father still sleeping. She wouldn’t disturb him just yet since he wouldn’t have anything to pack anyway.
She entered the room where Saren slept in the chair with the fur blanket around her. Petre was still in the bed, his lips blue, his skin pale, and Eirah’s chest tightened at seeing him this way. The wind blew through the broken window, and even though she couldn’t feel it, she shivered.
Eirah lightly shook Saren awake. Her friend flicked open her eyes, and her gaze drifted from Eirah to Petre. Saren’s lower lip trembled, but she remained quiet.
“Let me help you bury your brother, then we need to pack your things. You and the rest of the village will be staying near the palace,” Eirah said, wishing she didn’t have to hurry her friend, but it was necessary.
She shook her head. “No. I’m not leaving Petre or our home.”
Eirah knelt in front of Saren, placing a comforting hand on her knee. “It’s only temporary, and I promise you will come back here. We can’t leave Petre like this, either.”
Tears rained down Saren’s cheeks as she slowly nodded, standing up to pull the blankets back from her brother.
The rest of the day was spent burying Petre and packing Saren’s things. Eirah’s father was given a few pairs of clothing that had belonged to Petre, enough to get by. She’d seen her father’s hands fidget as he remained on the settee as instructed by Andras. Eirah found a knife and a block of spare wood, then handed them to her father to occupy his mind.
Morozko didn’t return to Saren’s home, and as night fell again, she wondered where he was staying. Was he still in Nastya’s cottage, or had he decided to go back to his palace?
But in the morning, Morozko was there, this time shaking her awake. Briefly, she wondered if he had studied her while she was sleeping again. Part of her believed he had.
“We leave now,” he said.
Her father continued to sleep, and she tiptoed past him, grabbing two plums from a bowl on the supper table. She tossed one to Morozko, and he easily caught it. He turned it over in his hand, his brow furrowed as if he was confused about why she was giving him a piece of fruit.
“You need to eat, don’t you?” she asked, biting into the sweet and juicy fruit. “Or have you already?”
“I’m not hungry. However, I find it interesting you’re concerned if I eat or not,” he said, bringing the plum between his plump lips.
“Who said I was?” She arched a brow.
He smirked. “Once we arrive near the palace, you will stay with me inournew home. So lucky for you, you’ll be sleeping with me again.”
Eirah tightened her fist on the plum as her father was now awake, staring between the two of them, blinking.
“Collect your father and Saren, then we leave.” Morozko winked at her before shutting the door behind him.
“It isn’t what you think.” Eirah turned to her father. “He’s a pest.” She wanted to tell him the last time she’d slept in his bed, she’d been an owl, but Morozko had asked her to keep her magic a secret, and she wouldn’t confess it now, not when the king agreed to bring her village to his home.
“As long as he hasn’t hurt you, daughter.” He sat up and his eyes widened as he lifted his glasses from the table. They were no longer broken, the glass perfectly smooth.
Her heart galloped, and she remembered her conversation where she’d hissed at Morozko that her father’s glasses were broken. He hadn’t responded, hadn’t said a word, and yet he’dfixedthem…
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