AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“How about this, daughter? I take it and live as long as I desire, and when I decide I want to reunite with Liabetta, then I will.”
She smiled as tears pricked her eyes. “I think that’s the perfect decision.”
* * *
Ulva insistedon preparing Eirah in finer attire to meet with the village. Saren had been more than relieved to take immortality after what she’d been dealt. Eirah had chosen to assign Saren to speak with the villagers prior to the spell so she could tell them about her experience with the changelings. As not to persuade them but to see the true lurking danger.
Eirah’s father and Saren had left a while ago to venture to the ice houses. Morozko now rode on his wolf as Eirah flew through the air in her owl form. Just as she was about to swoop downward, Adair slipped out from a tall pine tree, flapping his snowy-white wings toward her. They flew side by side for a few moments before she beat her wings toward the ground, shifting, finally not falling face down in the snow. Adair landed on her shoulder, his talons digging in slightly.
“Did you miss me?” She smiled, brushing his soft feathers, the wind circling them. “I know. I most likely put fear in you. If I were gone, then whose familiar would you be?”
He cocked his head, narrowing his eyes at her.
“I was only jesting.” Eirah laughed softly. “But thank you. Saren told me you lingered outside my window, watching over me during the night.”
She trudged just a little farther in the snow when she caught sight of Morozko’s crimson cape.
He stepped away from Nuka, beckoning her closer with a finger. “You should’ve taken the wolf.”
“Perhaps on the way back. I needed practice.”
Adair darted back into the trees, leaving Eirah and Morozko to break through the forest, approaching the ice houses. Saren stood at the front of the crowd, wearing a light blue dress and a thick fur cloak that Ulva had made her. Xezu and Ulva stood at the edge of the crowd, believing this was the best choice they could make for one another as well as protecting their king.
“The village is unanimous,” Saren said, turning to them with a smile. “After seeing the changelings, after hearing my story, they want to take immortality. They want to thrive in the cold, with the possibility of gaining magic, to protect their loved ones. They’re more than ready for that and have their daggers prepared.”
Eirah nodded, meeting the eyes of all the villagers who’d survived. Familiar faces like the chieftain and his son, then others she barely knew or not at all. It was strange seeing them look at her this way, not as if she was odd, but in awe, with respect. Or perhaps it was only Morozko they were looking at this way.
“This is your one chance before we begin,” Eirah spoke to the crowd, hiding the nervous emotion brewing inside of her. “If anyone chooses differently, then leave now.”
But every villager remained. She remembered what Morozko had told her before they’d left, how to perform the spell, but she would find the words as she had when she’d given magic to the stones.
Lifting her arms in front of her, Eirah closed her eyes and dug deep inside herself, locating the words she needed. Waiting and waiting until finally, they drifted to her mind, forming in a language she’d never heard before.
As she opened her eyes, she chanted them softly. Wispy blue and white magic curled out from her fingertips toward the crowd. Her power caressed their flesh, seeping inside their skin, burying itself until it rooted. And she could feel how this was a gift that she would be unable to give again.
The villagers remained silent, each of their expressions different. Some worried, others eager or unknowing. When the magic no longer surrounded them, Morozko spoke loudly, “Now prick your fingers and let a drop of blood fall to the snow. This will bind you to my land as an immortal for as long as you decide.”
Daggers pricked fingers, and drops of crimson fell to the snow, one after another, speckling the white with ruby, the string pulling taut within Eirah.
And it was done.
25
MOROZKO
The full moon wasn’t too far away, and it was apparent that the seal had broken entirely, for the changelings had crept their way up the mountain while Eirah was recovering, threatening to invade the castle. But the frost demons ended that, cutting down the threats and burning the bodies.
Amid the discord, there was one bright spot, and that was Eirah granting the villagers of Vinti immortality, and in one grand effort, there were no more mortals in Frosteria. There was some relief in knowing they were protected against the wretched bastards.
Morozko sighed, standing against the fireplace mantel in his study. Logs stirred in the brazier, tumbling and flicking embers up the chimney. He clenched his teeth, willing the buzzing thoughts to quiet in his mind, but it seemed impossible. Eirah had nearly died not long ago, and his kingdom was under attack by changelings. The fate of Frosteria seemed bleak, but his visions said otherwise.
There was a solution, but they had towaitfor it. Wait for the full moon, when they could perform the ritual and bring forth the krampi. Morozko only hoped it wouldn’t be too late for them.
A knock sounded, tearing him away from his thoughts. “Come in.” He glanced toward the door as it swung open, revealing Xezu. His skin held a new glow to it, lending him a more youthful appearance, and it was all because of Eirah’s gift to him and his wife.
Morozko had remained by Eirah’s side until the end of the villagers’ change, but when she was through, he gave her time with them, allowing her to explain what she knew. Any more questions he’d answer at a later time—he was in no mood to tutor anyone.
“Your Majesty.” Xezu bowed his head. “The frost demons are keeping their lines of defense up regarding the changelings. So much has happened in so short of a time.” His wise eyes studied Morozko a little too closely. “And I want to know, how are you faring?”
