Braith wraps her towel around her, tucking the end beneath her armpit. “It’ll allow you past the castle wards.”
Only the wealthiest Scathians can afford wards on their towers. Needless to say, we didn’t have any where I grew up.
The woman holding the garments shoves a white bundle into my arms. A mesh mask sits on the very top. When our gazes meet, she smiles and says, “Welcome to Castle Kumulus.”
Eighteen
SENAN
Allette’ssleepy snores tickle my cheek as she nestles closer. My older brother Aeron snores something awful. Every time he does, I feel like holding a pillow over his face. But for some reason, hearing Allette snore makes me want to squeeze her tighter. Love her longer.
I’ll miss Aeron and my baby brother Kyff. I suppose I’ll miss my younger brother Rhainn as well. Although he is an awful pain in my ass, always following me around the castle like a lost puppy. Boris, though. To him, I say good riddance.
My mate nuzzles my neck, murmuring something unintelligible. Her nose still feels like ice.
I blink up at the cobwebs clinging to the beams on the ceiling. Now that I think of it, my face is cold as well. The log in the fire—dammit. There is nothing left but gray ash. Why didn’t I go out for more wood right after I lit the thing? If we’re going to thrive down here, I need to get my head on straight. It’s not just my happiness and comfort on the line; I have my mate to look after as well.
The muscles in my back ache as I ease from beneath Allette and sit up. We need to find somewhere better than this to staytonight. I shrug out of my coat and tuck it around my girl, then gather Allette’s hair back from her peaceful face.
Will she regret her decision when she wakes and realizes we’ve missed our chance to return to Kumulus for at least a year? Gods, I hope not. I probably should’ve given her more time to consider mating herself to me. I’ve known from the moment I first laid eyes on Allette that she was the one. That day, it felt as if the stars themselves had orchestrated our meeting. She must feel the same. My strong, independent girl wouldn’t have made this choice if she didn’t.
No sense dwelling on it now that the sun has started its trek over the sleeping world. Whatever comes, we will face it together. I press a kiss to Allette’s cheek before slipping into the dawn-soaked morning, where hazy streaks of sunlight glisten off the frosty branches and snow-dusted ground like some cosmic force dumped diamonds over the world.
I’ve never seen anything like it. If only it wasn’t so fucking cold. Rubbing my hands together for a bit of warmth, I circle the cottage, searching for things to burn, eventually finding an old shutter and another log. But when I add them to the hearth and try to light them, they’re too damp to burn, and my magic stores are depleted.
If I retrieve my pack, I can return to the village and buy some of those brown earthy blocks the humans burned in the smaller fires around the square. And matches. Loads and loads of matches.
For a split second, I consider taking back my coat, but Allette looks so warm and content beneath the heavy wool, I can’t bring myself to take it away. With my frozen hands shoved deep in my pockets, I start for the circle of stones where Allette and I left our bags.
If I’d planned this from the beginning, I would’ve brought more clothes—and some for Allette as well. Nothing I cando about it now. Besides, I brought something better: gold. Whatever we need, we can buy.
I’ll have to organize a place for us to stay besides that cottage. Somewhere with windows and a bed. And blankets. Piles of blankets. A whole closet full. And a bathing room with a tub big enough for us to share. Do homes here come with tubs, or will I have to purchase one separately? How much does a tub cost? Hopefully I have enough gold.
My stomach lets out a pitiful gurgle. We’ll need food as well. I packed a few snacks, but cheese and bread doesn’t sound very appetizing for breakfast. I’d love some of those sweet little pastries from last night. Although they were quite dear. Maybe I can find a cheaper alternative. Or maybe we can hire a cook to make them for us.
Actually, no. Cooks are probably far more expensive than buying food from a vendor. We can learn to cook them ourselves. Except I’ve never even set foot in the castle kitchens. Hopefully Allette knows something about cooking. If not, then we’ll figure it out together.
Together. That is all that matters.
I kick a stone down the path, my pride still wounded by the way she laughed when I suggested finding work. I’ve trained with the guards on occasion, perhaps I can do that. But being a guard could be quite dangerous. Wouldn’t want to get hurt and leave Allette to fend for us—or worse, get myself killed and leave her to fend for herself.
No, no. Not a guard. What about a farmhand? I don’t know the first thing about livestock, but I’ll muck stalls from dawn to dusk if I must. Mucking stalls will be an awfully smelly, dirty job. But I’ll do it for her.
I’ll do anything for her.
The sharpsnapof a twig drags me from my internal struggle.
When I glance over my shoulder, I see only barren trees dripping with icicles and a curious owl returning my stare. Unease prickles through my gut—or it could be hunger. Maybe I’ll eat that cheese after all. What time does the bakery in the village open? Maybe I can stop by and get Allette something more palatable for breakfast. Maybe they’re hiring. Wouldn’t that be handy? Food and work.
There it is again. Another snapping noise. What is that?
A shadow darts in my peripherals, too large to be an animal.
I whirl right as something heavy strikes my back, knocking me forward. My boot catches on a twisted root, and my arms pinwheel, but there is nothing to grab. I go down hard, my face cracking off a stone. The coppery tang of blood fills my mouth. Slowly, I climb to my knees, trying to catch my breath. Something warm and wet slides down my cheek. Blood splatters on the snow and dead leaves beneath me.
The shadow returns. Larger. Faster.
Pain explodes in my skull.