Kiss of Snow

21

Keane offered his hand to help me from the carriage, and I took it out of habit. I’d come to depend on Keane. More than depend, if last night on the balcony was any indication. I’d nearly… I bit my lip. Nearly didn’t count, and I refused to think about it.

“Will you be okay to walk the rest of the way, Your Majesty?” Keane asked.

I looked up, surprised at his sudden formality, but he glanced at the coach driver and footman, both within earshot of our conversation. Formality was required. “Yes, thank you.”

He gave me a half bow then offered me his arm to take as I walked the uneven ground, stepping in and out of ruts made by carts that had passed this way before. After only a few steps, he took my skates from me so he could carry them, hanging them around his neck from the laces so he could still rest his free hand on his sword.

His chivalry and quiet care almost made my chest burst, and I heaved a quick sigh to chase the feeling away. Instead, I turned my thoughts to the three men I was about to spend the afternoon with. I cast my mind back to the dance, then shook my head and slipped a small piece of paper from my pocket.

“Do you label all the men in your life with their worst traits?” He nodded at my hand. “Sleepy and… Grumpy? But I don’t understand ‘Doc.’”

Heat flooded my face. “Oh. I’m cheating. I can’t seem to remember their names, but I do remember the nicknames I gave them when I met them last night. I’m just checking who’s who before I make a fool of myself and the throne by saying the wrong thing.”

“You could never make a fool of yourself. But I think seven new names and faces would be a challenge for anyone.”

I gripped harder to his arm, even though the terrain had become smoother. Really, he was the perfect gentleman in every way.

S

kating took me back to being a girl, to before the weight of the entire kingdom rested on my shoulders. Keane circled me and my suitors in surly loops on land, as I spun my way across the ice. This was one of the few places I felt at home, with the brisk air on my skin and the frost all around me.

Grimelda was right. This was a fun way to spend the afternoon.

It was almost enough for me to forget this was a date with three strangers. On the ice with me were three men trying to court me, made difficult by the face that they weren’t very good at skating. Grumpy—Lord Theund of Mesner—hadn’t moved much on the ice, wobbling as he did, and staying close to the edge. Doc—Lord Danzin of Rodor—made more effort to skate, but kept falling on his behind with a loud “Oof!” every time. Only Sleepy—Lord Covack of Korelan—glided gracefully, and at one point took my hand and led me in a short dance on the ice, before covering his mouth with a hasty yawn.

I decided we weren’t going to make much progress like this. “Let’s take a break to rest, shall we?”

The men looked relieved at this suggestion. As we made our way from the ice, Lord Theund said, “Your Majesty, I sent my man for some hot cocoa. May I interest you in some?” His voice was gruff, growling out from somewhere inside his beard, reminding me why I’d nicknamed him Grumpy.

I nodded. “That sounds lovely, thank you. It’s very cold now that I’ve stopped moving.”

“Too cold,” he muttered.

I actually didn’t feel cold at all, but he came from Mesner, a warmer kingdom on the coast. That meant he was also a warrior, trained to fight from a young age. At least I’d be safe with him by my side. My stomach clenched at the thought. I wanted more than safety from my life.

“Mesner is very warm, isn’t it?” I said, trying to make conversation.

“Yes,” he replied gruffly.

I tried again. “Is this the first time you’ve experienced snow?”

“Yes.”

That explained his awkwardness on the ice, and why he’d volunteered to accompany me for our conversation first. He clearly wasn’t enjoying this outdoor excursion. Keane shifted his position behind me, as quiet as Theund and I were. I glanced at him and noticed his arms were crossed and he was glowering at my suitor, even though nothing damning had been said. Was Keane going to scowl during every one of these chats? Probably.

I sipped my cocoa in silence, but Theund didn’t speak again. Eventually, Sleepy—Lord Covack—approached us, and I almost spilled the remains of my drink by standing so fast to greet him. He bowed as he approached then covered his mouth as he yawned before he spoke.

“Your Majesty, may I request an audience? I’ve found a bench nearby and sent my man for a warm blanket for you.”

“Thank you.” I turned to Lord Theund. “I hope we will get the opportunity to talk again soon.”

Covack offered me his arm and I took it, although I couldn’t help but compare the feel of it to Keane’s. He had an air of disinterest even present in the level of physical support he chose to give. He led me to a bench and, as usual, Keane positioned himself behind me, ever watchful, always scowling. Maybe I should have nicknamed him Grumpy.

Covack tossed a blanket in my direction before he covered himself from chin to toe. He closed his eyes. “It’s very cold here,” he said. “The cold makes me really quite tired.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I answered, wondering if there was anything that didn’t make the man tired. He’d dozed off numerous times at the ball, but I’d just assumed he hadn’t recovered from his journey from Korelan. Now I wondered if he had some sort of condition. “Could you use some magic to warm yourself up?”