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“Of course,” Isolde continued, “King Preston and Queen Nerissa realized Garrick was right to stop the humans, and they called on me to tend to you, to piece you back together.” She studied me thoughtfully. “Two broken ribs and some fractured bones in your wrist. How easily that man shattered you. It’s strange to imagine that such power could reside in such a pathetic frame.”
I swallowed my indignation, but my throat was so dry, I proved Isolde’s comment accurate by choking on my own saliva and falling into a coughing fit.
“She probably needs water,” Aspen piped up, tossing Isolde a look.
Isolde stood, sweeping toward a side table that had been set up beside my bed, full of a pitcher, glasses, and a tray of food. She poured me a glass of water and handed it over.
As I swallowed, Isolde settled back in her chair, waving a careless hand toward me. “You slept two full nights and a dayhealing those bones, and you’ll probably remain a bit tender for a few more days.”
I stared, processing her words. No wonder my stomach ached with a hunger that nearly matched the pain in my muscles and bones. Each breath I drew sent an ache through my torso, reminding me of my still-healing ribs.
But I was alive. I sat up further, trying to turn to inspect the tray of food, but a wave of pain jolted through me, and I cringed.
“Not everyone is convinced you have Silverfrost blood,” Aspen observed.
“What does this mean?” I asked, head pounding. “Did I pass the test? Are there more?”
Isolde arched a brow. “You passed the test...barely. Most of the court is convinced you must have some drop of Silverfrost blood in your veins to be able to wield winter magic in such a way. Creating a blade from iceisimpressive,” she added, almost begrudgingly. “However, this doesn’t change the fact that you are a mere mortal. And nothing will be certain until the winter solstice, when we will find out if your blood can truly close the entrance to the underworld and keep the undead and demons at bay.”
“In the meantime, we are here to prepare you, now that you’re awake,” Aspen announced, standing and setting her hands on her hips. “And we haven’t any time to lose, as you’re in rough shape. It’s going to take a while.”
“Prepare me?”
Isolde rolled her eyes. “We don’t have time for ridiculous questions. The king and queen called for you, of course.” She pointed to the tray, which I was finally able to turn and study. There was a bowl of fresh sugared berries alongside some pastries, eggs, and thick slices of bacon. “This food was delivered recently, once we noticed you were stirring more in your sleep. Eat quickly.”
Isolde and Aspen chattered about various court gossip as I shoveled food into my mouth, delighted by how delicious and fresh everything tasted. As soon as my ravenous hunger was abated, the women scurried me into the washroom and into a steaming bath. I could have relaxed and soaked in it for a long time, relishing the way the hot water soothed my aching body, but Isolde remained impatient. She dressed me in a simple silver gown, overlaid with a corset that she laced so tightly I cringed as it tugged against my ribs.
“Drink this,” Isolde said, plucking a vial from her pocket.
I frowned at it as she steered me toward a chair by the fire. “What is this?”
“It’ll help with the pain.” She raised her eyebrows at me. “Healer, remember? Don’t tell me mortals arethatforgetful.”
Ignoring the jab, I settled into the armchair, gulped down the bitter tonic, and sat still as Isolde coiled my hair into a complicated braid atop my head. Meanwhile, Aspen gracefully climbed the chair to perch on the arm, setting a small bag before her. “Now close your eyes and don’t move,” she said.
Obeying, I felt her climb up and down my dress sleeve, perching on one shoulder and then the other as she swept various brushes and other cosmetic tools across my features.
“Lovely!” Isolde proclaimed at last, allowing me to stand and ushering me toward the door. She pointed at a pair of boots, and I stepped into them. When I hesitated, my pain flaring when I tried and failed to crouch down to reach the laces, Isolde sighed and kneeled to tie them herself. As she straightened, she scanned my face. “Good work, Aspen.”
“My work is always perfect,” Aspen retorted.
“You must hurry,” Isolde went on when I hesitated at the door in confusion. “Darkgrove will be your escort. There’s no time for you to go gawk at yourself in the mirror, though Isuppose for a plain human you’d be amazed what we were able to do for you.” She rolled her eyes.
Without another word or any further explanation, she turned the knob and gently but firmly shoved me out the door.
I blinked up at the flickering chandelier overhead, filling a stone hallway that would otherwise be austere with buttery light. Before I could move, Garrick stepped forward from a shadowy alcove beside a tapestry depicting a brutal war, extending a heavy fur coat toward me.
“What is this for?” I asked.
Garrick himself was clothed in a fur coat that hung to his thighs and trousers tucked into heavy leather boots. Contrary to the cold expression he’d worn the last time I’d seen him, the night I’d been forced into the arena, a bit of warmth flared in his eyes. Was he relieved to see me well? His gaze skated over my form. “To stay warm, Starlight. Unless you’ve learned how to wield fire magic as well.”
I swallowed, trying to reconcile the man before me—the one who reminded me of the friend who’d protected and flirted with me—with the one who’d watched me stone-faced while I’d walked into the arena. Silently, I slipped my arms into the coat and buttoned it up as Garrick started strolling down the hall, clearly expecting me to follow.
Thankfully, the vial Isolde had given me had finally taken effect, dulling the pain in my ribs so that my movements and breaths were no longer accompanied with a throbbing, stabbing sensation. I picked up my pace, my silver skirt swishing around me as I trailed Garrick down a long flight, our steps muted on the heavy carpet. The castle itself was quiet, full of the dull grey light of winter. Each window we passed afforded a view of a land freshly laden in snow, the clouds that shrouded the sun promising even more snow.
“We’re leaving the castle?” I ventured, trying to ignore how weak I still felt as we reached the end of the stairs only to enter another hall that seemed to stretch on forever. Hope, brittle as it was, swelled in my chest, and my mind sifted through possibilities. Leaving the castle could provide more opportunities to escape, and though I wasn’t as adept at using my magic as I’d like, maybe there were fae out there who would be kind to me when they saw the power I possessed. If the citizens of Silverfrost thought I might have royal blood, maybe they’d be willing to help me.
Or maybe they’d do anything in their ability to force me to stay, desperate for my blood to hold back the creatures of the underworld from flooding into their land.
