The ancient cold was killing her faster now.
Reign felt it every morning. The frost that formed on her skin without conscious thought. The way her breath came out white even in warm rooms. The direwolf's presence in her mind growing stronger, more insistent, drowning out her own thoughts.
She had weeks left. Maybe days.
"You need to tell them," the Fire Prince said, finding her in the war room.
"Tell them what? That their leader is dying?" She studied maps she could barely focus on. "That'll inspire confidence."
"They deserve to know."
"They deserve stability." She looked at him. "Which is why you're going to take over when I'm gone."
"I don't want to lead your city."
"You keep saying that. You'll do it anyway." She pulled out documents. "I've written everything down. Command struc
