Kiss of Snow

14

I hoped she knew I saw her as far more than simply the Queen. Or maybe I hoped she would never know that. I could look after my Queen and take my feelings for her to my grave. That would be the best thing for my Queen and country.

“You do?” She seemed to sit a little bit easier.

Maybe my opinion had given her a sense of permission no one else had offered. There was no one else to let her know it was okay to use her magic. Her reaction made me brave enough to voice further thoughts. “If I may—”

“Of course. You can always speak freely with me, Keane.”

If only that were true. I cleared my throat. “I think you should learn to use your magic more. Perhaps the Queen of Ilidan might be willing to aid in your studies?”

She bit her lip thoughtfully, but didn’t reply

“The more you understand your powers and your magic, the better position you’ll be in to help Princess Iris, too,” I added.

She tilted her head as she looked at me, and realization flared in her gaze. Not only would learning more about her powers benefit her, it could benefit her sisters.

“Yes,” she said. “It’s certainly something for me to think about.”

There was something else, and while I had her attention, I had to go on and say it, but I deliberately kept my voice casual and my gaze elsewhere as I scanned the camp, checking we were all still safe. “The other thing is that if using magic still gives you a legal and moral dilemma, after your coronation you could simply change the law.”

She looked down at her hands folded in her lap. “And if I did, would the people welcome such a change? Or would I be reviled for it?”

I didn’t have an answer to that.

Ten

Lily

T

he journey over the next few days passed uneventfully. Even Iris quieted down, although possibly that had more to do with the fact she often chattered long into the night before grumbling over every hard lump under her sleeping mat. I swore every root must have met in a cluster under her delicate behind.

On our last day of the journey she was a little out of sorts, her hair a bit wilder, and I was still teasing leaves and moss from it—anyone would have thought she’d spent the night rolling around the forest floor. Dirt streaked her pale skin with streaks of grime, and she’d even managed to rip the bottom of her skirt on something.

I rolled my eyes in amusement. Only Iris.

Well, maybe also Camellia, I amended, thankful she wasn’t also here. She would have taken great pleasure in the nights outdoors, but she probably would have escaped to be with the guards any time she could.

The carriage rolled along at a sedate pace as the sun shone from an almost cloudless blue sky and occasional birds chirruped to each other in warning as we passed. I tucked the warm fur firmly around Iris as she dozed against the carriage window. Her mouth hung open and her entire body rocked with the motion of our journey. In any other environment, sun would have meant heat, but not in Talador during the winter. Here, only clouds guaranteed any insulation. Without them, any warmth in our kingdom escaped straight into the sky.

Winton Castle was cold. Icy and beautiful, but this time of year the summer palace wouldn’t be much better. In fact, the name might have been because it was the only time temperatures there made it inhabitable at all. Either way, I hoped they’d stoked the fires for our guests.

As I thought about the palace, Keane rode up alongside my window. “Not long to go now. Just a turn or so more of the road.” Then he nodded at Iris. “Have you worn her out?”

“I’m making the most of this peace now because I know as soon as she sees the summer palace, she’ll be unstoppable.”

“I suspect she will.” He was a man of few words, but his quite assurance made me feel better in any situation.

At a shout from the front of the carriage, he looked ahead then back at me. “We’re approaching the palace, if you want to wake Princess Iris.” Then he clucked his tongue at his horse and rode away.

“Iris.” I nudged my sister gently. “We’re nearly there.”

She stirred and yawned. “Finally,” she grumbled. “All of this travelling is boring.”

Then she shoved the fur away, pushed down the ill-fitting window of her carriage, and stuck her head out to watch our approach. An icy blast of frigid air blew in through the open window, but I didn’t attempt to correct her.

Instead, I watched her face as her nose turned red in the cold, and her eyes glazed with excitement. Iris had spent too long cooped up in Winton. This change of scenery would be good for her.

We passed between narrow gateposts of white stone that sparkled and glinted in the sun. Gilbrook Castle used many of the same materials as Winton. Gravel crunched under our wheels, and we jolted gently as the horses stopped. “We’re here!” Iris cried, as she started to open the door.

“Just one moment.” I grasped her forearm. “Wait until we’re completely inside.”

With everything that had happened recently, additional caution seemed wise. She nodded and sat back against her seat. “Fine, but I get to pick the best bedroom for once.”

She knew as well as I did that our bedrooms had probably already been prepared for our arrival by staff who’d travelled under the cover of night for safety and to continue the ruse I hadn’t left Winton, but I didn’t argue.