Kiss of Snow

22

“I could, but truth be told, I’m not very good at magic,” he said.

I almost replied that I wasn’t either, but pressed my lips together tightly instead. He was from Korelan, where nearly everyone was a wizard, so he wouldn’t understand our ban on magic here.

It quickly became apparent I didn’t need to say anything else, as gentle snores puffed small clouds of water vapor from his mouth. I sighed and glanced at Keane who seemed to refuse to meet my gaze, even as a smirk twitched at the corners of his lips.

Luckily, Lord Danzin, who I’d called Doc in my notes, approached up the gentle slope from the frozen lake. “Your Majesty,” he whispered, “is this a good time to steal you away?”

I nodded, grateful for the interruption, even if it wasn’t entirely in the spirit of the afternoon. “I think Lord Covack can sleep just as well without me at his side.”

Danzin smiled a little and nudged his glasses back up his nose. “I thought I might walk into the forest a little.”

Keane’s uniform rustled, and I knew even without looking that he’d reached for the hilt of his sword.

“I read that Talador grows some fascinating wild herbs, similar to those of Rodor, but different enough that their uses could be many times more varied.” Danzin’s dark eyes shone, and his flushed cheeks seemed to be more from excitement about his subject than the temperature.

“Are you an herbologist?” It was perhaps the first question I’d asked all afternoon where I was genuinely curious about the answer.

“Oh yes, and potions.” He bent to examine some green leaves I could barely see poking through the snow. “Simply marvelous.”

The ground crunched under Keane’s boots as he drew to a stop, also waiting on Danzin to finish examining common plants.

“Do you know what ailments this plant cures?” Danzin turned to me, curiosity shining out from behind his glasses.

I shook my head. “I’m afraid I haven’t had much time to study medicinal purposes for herbs.”

Danzin stood up quickly and brushed off his trousers. “Of course. How foolish of me. A future queen studies matters of history and politics, not plants and their uses. My apologies.”

“It’s time rather than lack of interest though,” I assured him, hurrying to catch up as he continued walking. He was the only man so far who had shown any promise, after all. “I should like to learn, if you wish to tell me.”

He traced his finger across another leaf. “In Rodor, I can successfully brew a tincture to cure a common cold, but it does make me wonder what differing properties this slightly different species might have. I have quite a hard time growing enough in Rodor.”

I gestured, indicating the woodland ground. “It’s very common here. Hated for its propensity to grow where it’s least wanted. I do know that, at least.”

“Hmm.” He drew his eyebrows down. “The temptation to rush back to the palace and get my microscope out of my trunk is nearly overwhelming.”

I swallowed my chuckle. If that was his foremost thought on a walk with the woman he was trying to court, when the woman was an actual queen, perhaps he wasn’t the man I should marry. Then again, maybe that was exactly why he should be that man. I didn’t want someone who only married me because I would be queen. Plus his interests seemed like they’d make good conversation, unlike the other two. I hadn’t had a decent conversation with either of them. So far, Lord Danzin was the best prospect for a husband and king. The other two were definitely out.

But even Danzin wasn’t a great prospect. Would any of them be?

Fifteen

Lily

ONE MONTH LATER

I

awoke the next morning and flung open the drapes before my lady’s maid’s discreet knock at my door. My fire had long since dwindled to embers, but I barely felt the cold. I gazed out over the view, down into the summer palace’s small courtyard covered in frost, and I gasped.

A lone figure stood on the roughly hewn stones, a stiff breeze whipping her dark brown hair across her face. But even with her face obscured and her hood up, I knew her.

I ran from my window, out through my door and past the guard there. He broke into a run behind me as I raced down the first spiral staircase I came to, my right hand against the rough stone as I took the uneven steps faster than I usually would.

The guard unsheathed his sword behind me. “Your Majesty, you must allow me to go first.”

I ignored him and burst through the door at the end. “Rose!” I bellowed, my shouting not at all regal or even remotely correct for the time of day. For once, I didn’t care much.

My sister turned to me, her smile bright and wide as she swept her hair from in front of her and tried to push it back under her hood. “Lily!”

I caught her in a careful hug, not squeezing as hard as I would have liked due to her condition. “Welcome to the summer palace.”

“It’s not quite as grand as I remembered.” Rose laughed.

I pulled back and met her sparkling amber-eyed gaze. “I’m sure you’re used to finer castles now, Queen Rose.”

“It’s a bit colder here, at least.” She tucked her arm into mine and pulled me close as she angled us back toward the castle.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, unable to contain my excitement, both at seeing her and the fact that she was pregnant.

Rose blew out a breath. “Queasy and exhausted, but the midwife says that’s to be expected at this stage. I’m told it should go away soon, but this baby seems to like making me ill.”