Birgir shifted forward. “Warding spells?”
“Powerful spells, placed by her parents to keep her hidden,” Dorian said.
Birgir tapped his chin. “To keep her safe from whatever chased them from here?”
“Yes, sire.”
Tonya whipped her attention back to the king. “You knew why they fled? What was chasing them?”
Birgir shrugged. “Freyr only indicated that something with powerful magic and anger was after them. He didn’t say anything else, just took Thalia and ran. He only told me that they would go south, hoping that crossing the Strait would deter whatever it was from following them. It seems he was wrong.”
“So—so he never came back?” Tonya fought the whisper that clogged her voice.
“No, little one. I’m sorry.” Birgir dipped his head. “We sent warriors after them when we could no longer sense his magic, but they found nothing. I’m afraid he’s—left this world,” Birgir finished with some difficulty.
Tonya sat back, staring at the never-ending dance of the fire.
“Do—do you know what happened to my mother?” Her voice refused to climb any higher than a strangled whisper.
This time Lilja shook her head.
“No. I tried to find her myself. It was well known that she was with child when they left. I knew she would not abandon you, and so I went south to try to seek both of you among your kind. But nothing.”
“Kostis couldn’t find anything either.” Tonya rubbed her nose. Lilja tilted an inquisitive look.
“He’s one of the Reef Guard who knew my mother. He said that he met my father, and that he was returning north to try to fight off whatever chased them, to give my mother time to escape with me. But my mother gave me to Kostis on the southern shores of Myrnius, telling him to keep me safe while she returned to find Freyr. She never did.”
“Strange.” Birgir rubbed his hand along his chin. “He still didn’t say who or what was chasing them.”
“You know I have my theories,” Lilja grumbled.
“And there is no way to prove any of it.” Birgir frowned.
“Prove what?” August spoke up, his sharp hazel eyes flicking between the two ice faeries.
“Some were outspoken against their marriage when it was made known. Others weren’t as obvious, but Freyr could sometimes be oblivious to subtlety,” Birgir said. “And some people very close to him didn’t approve either as they felt it weakened Ísbjörn’s standing among the nobles.”
“But anyone we suspected was well accounted for during the time they went missing,” Lilja broke in. “We still think to this day that perhaps it was a Draugur, a—” She paused with a frown. “How would you say a faery that has turned from the Creator’s Lights?”
“Nameless One.” August twisted his fingers in a sign to ward off evil.
“But the ones that we have managed to pry from the crevasses in the furthest reaches of the mountains deny anything.” Birgir leaned back against the bench.
“You can’t trust a Draugur,” Lilja muttered. “They knew something.”
A muffled knock at the door dispelled the discomfort that prickled along Tonya’s arms at the mention of Nameless Ones. A grey-coated faery entered with a tray and set it down on a low table within reach of Birgir, before bowing and leaving the room.
“Oh, let me.” Lilja tugged his arm away from reaching for the steaming kettle. “You manage to spill every time.”
Birgir surrendered with a faint smirk. Lilja handed out clear mugs of hot tea all around, with plates of thick biscuits, caribou sausage, and frosted berries to follow.
Lilja settled back down with her own cup of tea. She pursed her mouth and a faint puff of white came from her lips, icing the golden rim of the cup before sipping.
“You said a shadow. What did it look like?” she asked.
Tonya winced as she scalded her tongue on the liquid as she drank. She traced the rim, wishing she could summon enough ice to cool the drink as Lilja had done.
“I don’t know, I…”
“Just tell us what you can remember,” Birgir said kindly.
Tonya closed her eyes, shivering a little as she conjured up the terrifying moments before her world had turned on its head.
“It looked like a faery, because I thought it was my teacher,” she began slowly. Something else niggled the back of her mind. “But the head was wrong and strange. I thought that Mihail might have mussed his hair.”
“Why do you think that?” Lilja’s question opened her eyes.
Tonya stared at the king, dread storming in her chest. “Because—because it was spiky—like…”
Lilja looked to Birgir, the same understanding lightening in her eyes at the white-tipped points of the king’s hair. He sat back, rubbing a hand over his head.
“Lights! It was one of us, then…” He trailed off.
“What does that mean?” Diane demanded.
“That it could have been anyone.” Lilja’s mouth tightened again and she set her mug down. “Unfortunately, there are only a few male faeries who don’t wear their hair like that, and they’re usually nearing the time to take the path to the Creator’s Halls.”
“At least we can rule out at least a score of faeries.” Birgir tipped a wry smile.
Lilja rolled her eyes. “How do you want to handle this? I can start inquiries to see who was away from Konungburg when the ice storm began, but that will take time. Or it could have been a faery from one of the outlying settlements.” She tugged at the white-edged tip of her braid.
“Aye, that’s too much ground to cover. Keep your eyes open once it’s announced that Freyr’s daughter has come back.”
Dorian stiffened. “You’re using her as bait.”
“You have a better idea, lad?” Birgir raised an eyebrow.
Dorian slowly shook his head. Tonya stared down at her lap, afraid to ask if that would actually pare down their search for the culprit.
“Our strongest magic users should be here shortly, and we’ll start looking at this warding. Perhaps we can undo Freyr’s side of it to allow you access to your ice magic.”
Tonya’s heart leaped in quick hope. “You think you can?”
Birgir gave her a warm smile that didn’t seem to ever be far away from his face. “We’ll try. Ice in summer is never a good thing. Even our lands are suffering from it, so I know that yours are as well.” He looked to her companions.
“The faeries from Myrnius and Durne are doing what they can, but we’re in danger of losing animals and crops in famine-inducing numbers if something isn’t done soon,” Diane spoke up.
“Oh, is that all?” Lilja raised an eyebrow. “We’d best get busy, then.”
Birgir pushed to his feet. “Indeed. Tonya, would you come with us? Lilja and I will both be among the faeries who will test the warding and your magic. The rest of you can return to your rooms, or I’ll have a guard escort you wherever you want to go.”
Tonya set her cup aside and stood.
“Is this all right?” Diane mouthed the question and Tonya nodded.
Both Birgir and Lilja had professed to be friends of her father. She supposed they could be lying, but she couldn’t manage to feel anything but warmth toward them. Dorian looked less pleased to be letting her go. He now stood protectively beside her.
“I’ll come find you later?” Her fingers twisted in her skirt again.
He slowly nodded and stepped back enough to let her pass between him and the firepit. She followed the king and commander from the room.
Chapter Twenty-two
Tonya clutched at the edges of her sleeves as she stared back at the five faeries standing opposite her. At least two looked at her in distaste. The third male faery didn’t appear to care one way or the other, and Birgir and Lilja were continuous pillars of support and encouragement as she tried to summon the faint threads of her magic.
Even standing so close to the heart of the ice magic, she could still barely pick out the whispers of her
power. Nerves smothered the bits she could hear and twisted her tongue so she struggled to whisper back.
She fought to maintain her composure as she failed and failed again at the simplest spells and tasks.
It’s like trying to train at the Reef all over again. As if I needed another reminder that I’m about as useful as a crab.
Lilja sparked a bit of magic against her, and Tonya gasped as cold rippled down her skin.
“Found Freyr’s warding,” Lilja said. “He did a good job on it, too.”
Tonya glanced down at her arms as if the warding would appear there.
“Hm.” The unconcerned faery flicked magic at her without even asking. She flinched away, an extra tingle prickling her fingertips.
“It doesn’t like any sort of magic,” he said.
“Protecting against all magic?” Birgir crossed his arms, propping one hand against his chin. Lilja shot him a sharp look, but he ignored her. Tonya rubbed her hands together, wondering if she had the courage to ask about it later.
“Possibly. Although he likely didn’t know she had ice magic. That may be why her magic reacted so violently to the attack.”
“What do you mean?” Tonya furrowed her brow. “We thought it was just my suppressed magic finally having some way to escape.”
“Aye, I could agree with that,” Lilja said. “But Freyr’s warding is against any northern magic. So it’s working against yours as well. It seems to affect your ocean magic in the same way. Northern magic attacked you, forcing the warding to defend, and that allowed enough room for your magic to sneak out. I suppose we now know what happens if someone tries to suppress their ice magic.”
Birgir huffed a laugh. Tonya didn’t find it funny at all. The two other faeries listened with pursed lips.
“I don’t see a way to undo the warding. Not without Freyr here.” One shook his head.
Birgir slowly nodded. Tonya’s breath caught in her chest, her heart beating harshly against her ribs in response.
“So…”
Lilja rested a steadying hand on her shoulder. “We’ll keep talking amongst ourselves before we jump to the worst conclusions.”
Despite the kindness in her tone, Tonya already knew the answer. There was nothing else to do. Their journey had been a waste and she’d doomed a continent.
“Do I need to stay?”
Lilja and Birgir exchanged a look.
“No,” Birgir said. “Why don’t you rejoin your friends, and we will discuss it all this evening.”
Tonya nodded. As she retreated toward the door, it flung open and another faery strode in. The red of exertion darkened his cheeks, and his dark hair was even more disheveled than the normal style. His scarlet and white coat still had dustings of snow on the shoulders. Sharp grey eyes swept around the gathered faeries, who stared at him in surprise at his sudden appearance.
Tonya felt frozen as his gaze found her. Something about him felt familiar. It took a moment to realize it was the high cheekbones and restless grey in his eyes that stared back at her in the stillness of water.
“You!” His voice pitched low like a distant storm. “I heard rumors, but didn’t believe them. You—you look just like them.” Emotion caught in his voice.
Tonya looked to the king and Lilja for help. A flicker of something crossed Birgir’s face before it smoothed in welcome and he stepped forward.
“Steinn.”
The faery broke his stare from Tonya with a start and whirled to give the king a hasty bow. “Your Majesty, I apologize for the intrusion, I—”
Birgir raised his hand. “I think under these circumstances it’s easily forgiven. Tonya, this is your uncle Steinn.”
Tonya stared. Uncle.
“Tonya!” Steinn smiled and extended his arms.
Tonya hesitated before stepping into his embrace. A cold prickle ran down her arms and she withdrew. Steinn still smiled as if he hadn’t noticed her shivering.
She looked to Birgir and Lilja, wondering why they wouldn’t have told her about Steinn immediately. They must have known him, since they were friends with Freyr. But the frown lingered in the smallest corner of Birgir’s mouth, and Lilja watched with her keen eyes.
“Steinn has searched for you these last seventy years,” Birgir said.
Steinn’s wide smile didn’t falter. “I knew you must be out there somewhere. And after Freyr disappeared…”
For the first time, his expression broke and sadness hunched his shoulders.
“Thank you,” Tonya said, not sure what else to say. Confusion whirled about her mind.
After what she’d said, surely Birgir and Lilja would have known how important it would be for her to know that some family had been actively looking for her? That she would want to meet her father’s family?
“Your Majesty, may I speak with her when you are done?”
“You were just in time, Steinn. I was about to send for an escort to take her back to her friends. They are in the northwest tower. I’m sure you would like to catch up with your uncle, Tonya?” Birgir’s smile came devoid of the strange tenseness.
Tonya nodded. Maybe I’m reading this wrong.
Steinn flashed a smile again and gestured to the door. She stepped out first and Steinn closed the doors behind them. He took her hand and settled it around his arm. Her fingertips tingled in response.
They walked down the hall, Steinn staring at her the entire time.
He finally shook his head. “I’m so happy to have found you.”
“You really looked for me?” Tonya tilted her head up towards him.
“As often as I could get away from my duties here. I know Freyr would have wanted you protected.”
“Do—do I have any other family here?” she blurted.
He inclined his head. “Yes. My parents live here in the castle, but…”
Tonya steeled herself at the long pause.
“They were greatly distressed by Freyr’s sudden disappearance. And honestly by the fact that he married your mother. I’m assuming they at least told you of your heritage here?”
Tonya nodded. “Yes, that my father was a noble.”
“Aye, and here in the north, we take bloodlines seriously. Freyr was my younger brother, but still expected to marry well. He took the form of our polar bear like I do, so we knew the blood ran strong in him.”
She tightened her grip on Steinn’s arm. There’s so much I don’t know about this place. Blood lines, heritage—everything.
“Ísbjörn. Polar bear?” she guessed.
“That’s right.” He smiled again. “Do you know any of the language?”
Heat tinged her cheeks. “No. But all my life I’ve known some things about the north. Like if the wind is coming over the waves in the right direction, I can hear it whisper about the magic of this place. I never knew how I knew, but maybe it’s because of his warding?”
“Warding?” Steinn raised an eyebrow.
Tonya explained all that she knew of her parents’ warding. A hard glint came into Steinn’s eyes as he listened, but it vanished in a blink. Tonya thought it must have been the light shining through the ice windows as they walked.
“Perhaps he did find a way to give you something of our people before he disappeared. It sounds like something Freyr would do.” A bit of tension came into his voice. “And perhaps that’s why I could never find you. I tried every tracking spell I could think of with what I could remember of you, and your parents.”
“What was Freyr like?” Tonya flexed the fingers of her left hand as the prickle stung her fingers again.
The smile bloomed again, and Tonya relaxed under the sight. “He was kind, generous. Loyal. A bit more than impulsive. Once he got an idea for something, it was hard to talk him out of it.”
A smile curved its way across Tonya’s face. She’d longed her whole life to learn about her father, and so far, she liked what Steinn said.
“But I feel I should confess. We did not often get along, and it took him disappea
ring to make me realize that I did love my brother. That’s why I looked so faithfully for you. Maybe I could get part of him back through you.”
Tonya tightened her grip. Steinn shook himself a little. “He loved being outside, even in the dead of winter when our most hardy ice casters stay indoors by the fires.”
“You get cold?” Tonya interrupted in surprise. She’d seen the fires, but assumed it was for her companions.
Steinn turned a puzzled glance at her. “Yes. Do you not?”
Tonya bit her lip and shook her head.
“Interesting. Must be a side effect of the warding.” A curious gleam lit in his eyes as he stared at her, and the prickle stirred along her arms.
“Can I meet my grandparents?”
It broke Steinn’s glance and he shook himself.
“I don’t know. As I said, they didn’t take too kindly to Freyr marrying your mother. And even less so to the news about you. It might be best to stay away for now. At least, until I break the news to them and tell them what a wonderful young faery you are.”
He patted her hand, and heat assailed her face again.
“I’d still like to meet them,” she said, finding the desire deep in her soul. If she could meet them, she could see more of the place that her father called home.
Steinn smiled. “I’ll see what I can do. Now, how did you come to be here? Tell me about these friends of yours.”
Chapter Twenty-three
“He seemed nice.” Diane took a seat next to Tonya. The door had just closed behind Steinn, leaving the four companions alone.
Tonya drew her knees up to her chest, nodding slowly. Her uncle had been all attention during the story of their travels, and the shorter stories she’d told about growing up. He’d expressed some disgust at the way she’d been treated among her people, and a part of her heart had warmed even as the strange tingle returned to her fingertips.
“What’s wrong?” Dorian’s voice startled her from his seat to their left. August sprawled on the remaining bench, his head propped on a pillow.
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