The dog pushed closer to Tonya, almost knocking her off balance as she stopped scratching to listen closer. The land war had only been stories to her. The ocean faeries had staunchly refused to get involved, sending out soldiers to protect their borders only.
But they did know that it had torn the faery clans and the human kingdoms apart and everyone had suffered for it.
“I hear maybe it’s a rogue sorcerer from t’ war casting t’ spell,” one of the other men spoke up.
“Or maybe some faeries trying t’ exert their power again,” another muttered.
A chill slithered across Tonya’s heart. Will this ice cause another rift if everyone casts blame like this?
“My people have studied it, and we know it’s neither of those things,” Kostis said.
A bit of relief shone in the spokesman’s eyes. “You know what it is, then?”
Kostis hesitated. “An anomaly.”
The man’s shoulders slumped again. “Aye, that’s what most of t’ rumors are.”
“The council should be able to answer these questions, and hopefully find a solution,” Kostis said.
“We wish you well, then,” the man said. “It’s about another two days’ walk t’ Chelm where you’ll find t’ king.”
Tonya reluctantly stood and backed away to stand with Kostis as the dog returned to its master.
Kostis thanked the man and led the way around the village. Tonya glanced around at her companions. They all wore serious frowns.
They’re all worried about what that human said. The thought came sobering and she turned her energy back to trudging over endless swells of snow and trying to coax some of it back to her hand.
Chapter Eight
“The faeries have arrived,” a guard announced.
Diane reached over to straighten Edmund’s coat lapels before buttoning up her own fur-lined jacket. She brushed a hand over her hair, making sure no stray strands had escaped from the narrow braid Matilde had plaited across the top of her head to fall into carefully-combed waves over her shoulders.
“You look fine,” Edmund reassured.
They stepped outside together to greet the newcomers. Diane tilted her chin up to adopt the hint of regalness that her mother had taught her. It was a little difficult to attain while wearing several bulky layers of clothing and her thickest coat, but the faeries, it seemed, had also opted for warmth over fashion. What little fashion was left after the war.
Diane recognized August immediately. He stood beside two older-looking faeries, one a female faery with her hand tucked inside the male faery’s. Diane stifled a gasp. Edmund looked down at her in confusion, then his eyes widened in shock.
Four parallel scars twisted down the right side of the man’s face. She’d know that pattern anywhere.
It had been a shock to hear that August was the son of the Damian and Adela from the legends of her family, but somehow she hadn’t actually thought they were still in Myrnius and would be coming to the council.
Edmund allowed her to pull him over toward them with no complaint.
August greeted them with a smile that turned to a knowing smirk as Diane tried to disguise her complete awe.
“King Edmund, Princess Diane, allow me to officially introduce you to your godparents, Damian and Adela.”
To her lasting embarrassment, Diane uttered something more akin to a squeak, before being able to form a coherent sentence.
“I’m so pleased to meet you!”
“It’s lovely to meet you as well.” Adela freed her hand to reach out to Diane. Her voice had a lilting music to it as if she spent more time singing. Her long brown hair fell in effortless waves over her shoulders, but Diane caught a sheen of grey to some of the strands.
Damian offered her a bow and clasped Edmund’s hand, who still hadn’t been able to form a greeting himself.
“I’m sorry!” Diane finally burst out. “It’s just—I’ve only ever heard—legends—about you and now…” She gestured widely with her hands before they fell back to her sides.
Adela’s laugh caused the evergreens to shake snow from their branches and stand taller with new exuberance.
“I wish we could have met much earlier, but with everything that happened, we never really formally met your parents either. We all thought it was best to stay hidden in the forest.”
“Certainly didn’t stop her from trying to go explore in Celedon,” Edmund finally spoke up. Diane nearly drove her elbow into his side for making her sound like a silly fool in front of them.
“We would have kidnapped you for a day, then,” Damian said. The tease in his pleasant tenor voice carried up to his hazel eyes, and Diane once again felt a sense of calm and happiness
If this is what faeries are truly like, then maybe there’s nothing to fear.
“You would have been stuck with her until you ran out of stories.” Edmund smirked.
Diane dug her elbow into his ribs this time, decorum or no.
Adela chuckled and flashed a smile. “We’ll have to sit down after this council. I’ve missed staying in touch with our godchildren. It makes me remember Steffan and Irena.”
“I’d love that!” Diane said, taking a short breath to try to control the flush spreading over her cheeks.
“We wanted to thank you, Your Majesty, for hosting this council,” Damian said.
“Edmund, please.” Her brother shook his head.
Understanding crossed Damian’s face and he nodded. “Something had to be done, and we appreciate your prompt response. It will be good for all of us to work together again.”
Diane smiled and turned to the other faeries standing in a separate group. They wore earthy colors of browns and tans. The only female faery in the group offered her a tentative smile and Diane mustered one in return. These were the Durnean faeries. And while the faeries in front of her likely fought on the side of the humans, unease still rippled through her.
Two older male faeries stepped forward and greeted Edmund with slight bows. Diane nodded a tight greeting and snuck a glance instead at the fourth member. He looked about the same age as August.
He stood in tense alertness, gaze frequently straying around at the gathering townsfolk, the other faeries, Ralf standing comfortingly behind her. He carried himself much like Ralf, ready to spring into action at any moment.
Curious weapons were strapped across his back. The sheaths held some sort of slightly curved blade, but instead of hilts, a long piece of wood extended over his shoulder where he could grab it. The weapons gathered more than one curious, or scornful, look at their strangeness.
Edmund’s touch on her arm brought her attention back.
“Please, come inside.” Edmund gestured to the manor house. “Some of the other lords and stewards have arrived as well and we’re all eager to hear what can be done about this ice.”
Damian’s mouth twisted in a frown and Diane’s heart dropped a beat. This already doesn’t look like good news.
*
Diane chewed her lip as she stared down at the town. A warm breeze tickled her cheek, at odds with the snow still surrounding them. She flexed her gloved fingers, sore from writing notes late into the previous night from the brief council Edmund had held with the newly arrived lords and stewards, and taking more notes during the meeting with the faeries. The Calvyrnian water faeries hadn’t been able to break through the iced rivers and lakes to come, but the human representatives had brought plenty of news.
“You trying to solve this problem yourself?”
Diane peeked a glance at where Ralf stood behind her. A half-smile curved his lips. She jerked her attention from the sight—something she’d been having to do more and more recently.
“Just thinking.” She turned back to the village before she could flush. “There’s so much to do, so much uncertainty…” She sighed and rubbed her eyes. Even the arrival of the Calvyrnian Lord Darek, descendant of Prince Killian the wolf prince, hadn’t been able to truly distract her. Though she had
determined to try to ask him about his line’s rumored shapeshifting ability— especially after seeing the strange glint in his eyes when they caught the light.
The reports that the lords and stewards had brought were the same as what they already knew. Fields buried in snow and ice. Predicted crop failures if something wasn’t done soon. Trade nearly nonexistent. Panic spreading among the people. A few riots quelled.
Then the news the faeries had brought.
The surprising revelation that there was a faery with ice and ocean magic, and a mysterious attack on her had caused the storm.
And the more sobering news that they had no idea how to undo it.
The Durnean faeries, strongest with earth magic, and the Myrnian faeries, whose magic was best with plants and animals had promised their aid to all three countries to try and avoid the worse. But if the ice wasn’t removed…
“Diane.” Ralf’s voice held a bit of warning.
“I know.” She sighed. “I can’t do everything.”
Even though she was perfectly happy with a pen and parchment in hand, helping keep Edmund more organized, it had overwhelmed her that morning when the faeries and humans had adjourned. She’d grabbed a coat and marched outside to the nearest hill to find some sort of relief.
But even the beauty of the glittering snow and ice taunted her. There was nothing she could do.
Messengers had said that the ocean faeries were on their way to Chelm. The council would meet one more time with them before deciding what to do.
“Damian said that we’d likely have to send someone north past the Strait. If that happens, they’ve already decided to send at least one human with the faeries.”
Ralf stepped up beside her. “Did he say who?”
Diane shook her head. “No. But you should have heard the arguments from the lords and stewards trying to get someone picked from their lands.” She rubbed her eyes. Whoever it ended up being, she pitied the poor faeries who’d be stuck with them. None of the options had sounded particularly appealing.
“Have you rested recently?” His concern drew her gaze back up.
She kept a hand pressed against her cheek to hide the quick blush. “When would I have time to do that?” Between councils and late dinners to discuss everything with Edmund in relative privacy, she hadn’t had a full night’s sleep since the ice storm.
His mouth puckered down in a frown and he gently touched her arm. Her heart paused. He never really touched her. I must look awful.
“You should go back and rest. I’ll stand guard outside your door if I have to.”
Diane allowed a slow smile. “All right.”
His hand fell away from her sleeve and she fought a strange reluctance as she began the trek back into the town.
Men and women dipped bows and curtseys as she passed, most calling out greetings. She returned each with a smile and name if she remembered, but didn’t halt her stride. Her heart lifted at the sight of children building snow castles across the square, their laughter teasing the breeze.
Smiles and laughter had been rare the past few days, but they were there, and that’s all that mattered to her. Some of the higher-ranking townspeople stopped her to ask after news. She couldn’t bring herself to tell them yet. The faeries didn’t know what to do.
Matilde swept snow from in front of the mansion door.
“Wasn’t expecting you back for some time, my lady.” Matilde propped her broom against the wall.
“It’s been strongly suggested that I come back and rest.” Diane tilted her chin towards Ralf.
Matilde nodded. “Sensible young man. I knew I liked you.”
Ralf’s smile crept up around his eyes. Diane’s lips curved in response.
“In you go!” Matilde shooed her inside. “Edmund’s out, so I think you should be able to sleep for a bit. I’ll make sure of it.” She grabbed her broom again and shook it.
“Between you and Ralf, I think I should be fine.” Diane retreated inside with a laugh. Inside her room, she pulled off her gloves and coat. Her desk tempted her, even littered with reports and papers. There was still so much to do.
Maybe she’d just do a little bit before taking a nap.
*
Matilde shook Diane awake two hours later.
“It’s a miracle you didn’t fall asleep at your desk, my lady.” She wrenched open the curtains to allow offensively bright afternoon sunlight inside.
Diane groaned and lifted her hand to rub at her sleep-filled eyes, pausing before she stained her eyes with the residual ink from her fingers. It had happened more than once.
Matilde poured fresh water into the basin on her dressing table. “Come on, my lady. I already let you sleep too long as it is. Edmund’s been asking after you for the past hour and rumor has it that the ocean faeries have been sighted.”
That got Diane up and moving. “Matilde!”
“You needed sleep!” She waved a finger and ushered her to the dressing table.
Diane took a seat and automatically reached for the papers piled where she’d left them for review. They would be sent out to every lord and she wanted them to be perfect. Matilde frowned at her in the mirror, but didn’t say anything as she ran a brush through Diane’s hair.
Diane yawned as she read through the report, hoping Edmund wouldn’t notice the spelling error on the second page. Matilde began a braid by Diane’s left ear, bringing it over the crown of her head to wrap above her right ear before it swept across the back of her head in a loose trail. Matilde spent a few extra minutes fussing and trying to coax some extra curl from the ends of her hair.
Matilde finished before Diane could fall asleep again. Diane stood, rubbing her eyes before allowing Matilde to spread some cosmetics over her face and eyes.
“Beautiful!” Matilde declared. She brought out a white fur-lined cloak and carefully draped it around Diane’s shoulders.
Diane wanted to protest that it was too much, but she traced a hand through the fur, remembering doing the same thing as a small child when her mother wore the cloak.
Matilde opened the door and ushered her out. “There’s a snack waiting for you in the smaller sitting room.”
Diane nodded, hoping for a few minutes of quiet in the room to eat. But Edmund paced in the small sitting room. Never a good sign when he was clearly waiting to ambush her.
“Oh good, you’re finally awake.” He barely paused to greet her before continuing his circuit.
“Then you should have let Matilde wake me up sooner.” Diane dodged around him and headed for the tray of kaffe and strawberry scones.
She waited until he passed her by again. “Here,” she mumbled around a mouthful of cream-covered scone and handed him the parchment.
He unrolled it and tried to read it as he paced, succeeding in ramming his foot into the same chair at least three times on his continuous route.
“You know you misspelled a word on page two?” He barely glanced up.
She huffed a few crumbs and rolled her eyes. “I know. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t announce it to the whole world.”
“The scones are hardly the whole world. Definitely less than once you’re finished with them.”
Diane scowled around her third helping. “If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked.”
“How? You’re too busy eating.” Edmund managed a smirk and Diane didn’t bother to warn him about the upcoming settee. She took a prim sip of kaffe as Edmund rubbed his shin with a barely muttered curse.
“Maybe you should sit down and try to read.”
“If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked,” he retorted in a poor imitation of her voice, but he plopped down into the armchair and kept reading.
She flicked a piece of scone at him. He caught it and ate it.
“I’ve allowed you to become a hellion,” he said with mouth full.
She rolled her eyes and grabbed a fourth scone, debating on trying to store it somewhere within her dress or cloak. As they were both lac
king in pockets, she ate it.
He rolled the parchment back up and tapped it against his knee. “It looks good.”
Relief eased some of the tension in her shoulders. “How many copies do we need?”
Edmund rubbed his chin. “At least a dozen.”
Diane looked sadly down at her fingers. There were scribes who could finish the copies, but there were few things she liked to hand off to someone else. Though in this case, she might just let them for the sake of her fingers.
“The ocean faeries have been sighted.” Edmund tapped the parchment faster against his knee. “They’re being directed to the council chamber. We’ll meet there.”
Diane took one last scone from the tray. “This will work. We’ll find a way to undo it all, and then we’ll get back to our lives.”
“And then maybe I’ll figure out a way to rebuild the castle like you want.”
Diane smiled. Rebuilding the castle was a near impossible task with their current resources, but they both liked to dream about what life could be like.
Edmund stood and offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
She tucked her arm through his, still munching on scone.
“Are you going to finish that before we get to the council chambers?” he asked.
“Maybe. I can’t exactly save it for later.”
“Your dress doesn’t have pockets?” He arched one eyebrow in surprise.
“No. Formal gowns have a sad dearth of pockets, leaving no room for hoarding food. Do you want to finish it?”
He gave a long-suffering sigh, but ate it in two bites. Diane dusted crumbs from her cloak and hoped that none lingered on her face.
Ralf and several other guards fell in behind them as they left the house. Diane shivered as a breeze whipped down the street towards them, cutting right through her cloak.
“I’ve never liked winter, and it’s not fair that we get two this year,” she groused, leaning a little closer to Edmund.
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