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Too many times, they had to stop their travels for a stumbling villager or one who had to relieve themselves, and the last time, Morozko ground his teeth together, a scowl on his face.
“What do you expect?” Eirah muttered, leaning against Nuka’s shoulders as she stretched her legs. “They’re not used to traveling like this. Especially up a mountain. It’s cold. Have more patience with them. They’re not—”
“Immortal,” Morozko bit out. “I’m well aware. And it’s the base of the mountain, not the top.” He raked his hand through his hair and tilted his head back, glancing up at the purple-tinged sky. The sun was already losing its hold on the day. If they were lucky, they’d arrive by nightfall. However, at this rate, it’d take until morning if they kept stopping.
Morozko’s stomach growled. Now he wished he’d eaten more than a plum that morning. Once they were settled, he’d enlist the guards to hunt down some deer.
“You should’ve eaten more.” Eirah shrugged.
His eyes snapped to her face, and although his lips were in a tight smile, Morozko was more than bored and was inspired to poke the bear. So, he stalked forward, looming over Eirah, wondering if her inner grizzly would rise. “You know, little bird, I have a use for that tongue of yours.”
She picked at her nails, only ceasing when he was inches away. “I think everyone is ready to finish the journey.” Eirah turned around and climbed into the saddle. She stared down at him, eyebrow cocked, and head tilted expectantly.
Morozko’s gaze lingered on her backside, and suddenly, he wasn’t concerned about his rumbling stomach but the skin that awaited him beneath Eirah’s trousers. Oh, he knew what it felt like from when he plucked her from the tub, but he was unfamiliar with the dips and curves.
“You’re holding the group up, Morozko.” Eirah motioned to the villagers, who were mostly already inside their sleighs or on their horses.
It was him shrugging this time. “Now they may know what it feels like to wait.” Except, he didn’t linger on the ground for long—he was too impatient, too over the slow journey.
Eventually, they came upon the royal guards. The frost demons sprung into action, helping those who openly struggled, and, unfortunately, aided a few dying horses into an eternal slumber. It wasn’t pleasant, but a sword to the heart was effective.
Eventually, just before nightfall, they arrived at the encampment. Several ice houses dotted the clearing. Some were rectangular or square, and others rounded. The guards had done well to prepare the camp, for inside each one were also boughs of pine to create bedding and kindling ready to go for a fire.
“They need food.” Morozko sighed and turned to Andras. “The water and food they brought won’t last long. I am certain you’re all exhausted, but hunt down some deer. They could use more blankets, too, I’m sure.”
When everyone was settled inside their temporary lodging, Morozko dipped inside his house. It was tall enough, so he only had to crouch a little. A small fire illuminated the space, and a hole at the top allowed for the smoke to filter out. Eirah hadn’t ventured inside yet—she was likely speaking with Fedir or Saren.
He pulled his cape off, then his sword, and set them aside his makeshift bed. His fingers loosened the ties of his shirt, and he lowered himself to the ground, crossing his legs.
A few moments later, Eirah poked her head in, and her dark eyes appeared bottomless in the firelight. “This is cozy.”
Morozko’s gaze shifted to the leaping flames, and he nodded, motioning to her bedding. “Come here,” he mumbled. “I think it’s time we practice some actual magic. No tests, no prodding.” Now that he’d told her the truth about everything, he wasn’t willing to play games.
Eirah sat next to him and rolled her sleeves up. She wiggled her fingers as she waited for instructions. “I don’t know how effective this is going to be.”
“That’s why it’s called practice. Besides, we need to be ready for anything. We can hope the fire will terrify the hiding bastards, but we don’t know for certain.” He reached out and took her hands in his, despising how his heart leaped on contact. Life buzzed beneath her skin, and hefeltit. The warmth spread through his body, dizzying him as if he’d been deep in his cups moments ago. He dragged his fingers from her palms and down the underside of her forearms. “Call to your magic by closing your eyes. Imagine dunking a bucket into a well and slowly cranking it back up.” He spoke in a soft, melodic tone.
She shot him a suspicious glance, then closed her eyes. Goosebumps formed on her arms, and he wasn’t certain whether it was from him or her tapping into her magic.
He swallowed, trying to stop himself from studying her because the more he pored over the angles of her face and her full lips, the more he wanted to kiss them and taste her.
Eirah gasped, wrenching him from his thoughts. “I… feel it. It’s hard to explain, like… a fire burning within.”
He knew what his magic felt like, and in some ways, he’d compare it to the sensation of completion. A liquid burning within his chest until it erupted and bloomed into pure energy—his magic. Morozko hadn’t known she would experience anything like this, not until now.
He held his palms beneath hers. “Foster it. Keep feeding the fire, bucket after bucket of energy,” he coaxed her, watching as thin strands of light streamed from her palms.
Eirah panted softly from the exertion but continued on, forming a brighter blue light. When it was the size of a snowball, Morozko gently turned her palms over, marveling at the sight. Outside of frost demons, he’d seen no other magic quite like it.
“Open your eyes.”
She did, and awe filled them. Eirah squealed. “I did that. My magic… But what do I do with it?”
He cocked a brow. “Well, you could force someone into oblivion, but other than that… I’m not quite certain what or if you have specified magic. We can explore what you’re capable of.” If she was willing, or if Frosteria would allow for that. Who knew what lay ahead of the realm, for his visions were as much a blessing as they were a curse.
“How do I will it away?” Eirah closed her palms. The energy swirled at her knuckles, and when she opened her fist, it danced along her skin.
“Imagine lowering the bucket back into the well, returning bucket by bucket. Eventually, you’ll learn to drop it at once, but for now, let’s go slowly.” As he spoke, she focused on her hands, and the flickering light diminished little by little until it snuffed out entirely.
