Page 137 of Reaper's Quest

We strode across the stretched length of the throne room, crystal-cut windows and stationed guards lining the way. A gilded chair sat upon the dais at the far end of the spotless chamber.

I stifled a yawn and tried to pretend my dreams—my nightmares—hadn’t followed me into the waking hour as Winter and I drew close to the awaiting royal. His grandmother.

My fingers had gone from cold to colder to outright blocks of ice, and I feared a wrong tap or bump might shatter them to pieces. I had tried to hide my condition from Winter, but he held one of my hands tight in his own, elevating the cold cracking my bones.

He stopped our approach a respectable distance from the dais. The queen sat in a high-reaching, gilded throne, and Valen had her ear, speaking softly for no one else to hear. He cast me a hard glance. One that sent a shiver through my spine. Made me feel like a circus prize.

Before I could give his look further thought, I dropped into a low curtsey, my gaze glued to the floor. And there I waited.

Someone muffled a cough, and then Winter tugged me to a stand with the gentle pull of his palm upon my arm.

The queen arched an eyebrow but continued to listenintently to Valen. Valen, who eyed me while whispering secrets to the royal.

In his grin and the gleam of his eyes, I imagined hellfire.

I averted my gaze. Took in our surroundings. The floor and windows gleamed. Even the guards’ shoes shone. Everything around us sparkled like an immaculate cathedral, as if the hundred-year time trap had made no change to the daily cleaning schedule. I supposed it hadn’t. But how miserable life must have been forever trapped in a position of servitude.

Winter squeezed my hand, drawing my attention back to the dais. Valen left through a side door, and the queen became the sole focus at the front of the room.

Swallowing hard, I steeled my spine and pulled my back straighter and taller.

The queen rose to her feet, a sight of breathtaking, regal beauty. Silver hair swept up around a glistening crown of diamonds, and a silken gown of frost-blue and glittering adornments spilled out around her. She stepped away from the throne and descended the dais, closing the distance between us with the glide of a born and raised royal.

The queen’s attention zeroed in on me. “Let’s dispense with the formalities, shall we? I am told, my dear, that we have you to thank for my grandson’s good health.”

I steadied my stance and lowered my gaze, my cheeks warming. “I’m glad I could help, but I’m fairly certain the report has been somewhat exaggerated.”

I risked a sidelong glance at Winter. His return smile warmed me even as my fingers continued to glaciate.

“I assure you, Grandmother.” Winter’s fingers skimmed the length of my upper arm. “The report is no moreexaggerated than her skill. I was gone from this life as I know it. Holed up in… Holed up in a world of my own making. The inner dwelling of my magic, I believe. It was Raven who led me back. I followed her voice.”

He spoke with a tone I had not heard him use before. Not as a friend or family, but as a royal addressing another royal.

The queen’s features brightened, her eyes twinkling like star fire. “Quite curious. In all our years trapped in this blasted curse, we haven’t found a magic wielder worthy of returning our lost loved ones. Until now. Maybe you can help our ailing citadel.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could utter a word, Winter raised our clasped hands, displaying my frozen, blue fingers.

“Her efforts were not without consequence…what she did for me,” he said.

“Winter’s magic,” the queen said with a sense of awe. “How extraordinary.” She reached a tentative finger toward my iced-over hand and recoiled at the cold. “And you cannot fix this, Winter?”

“I have tried.” Disappointment pulled at his features. “I continue to try even now. But I feel it has dug its roots deep within her.”

The queen rubbed a finger against the edge of her chin and nodded, her lips twisting in contemplation. “When you have healed others, has their magic doubled back on you in this negative manner?”

I tensed. I should have expected the question given my current state, and yet…nope, I hadn’t.

“I’ve only ever healed one other in a semi-similar state, and I sensed no magic that time,” I said. Although I hadn’teven sensed I’d actively begun to heal that person. “Definitely not magic on the level I found within Winter.”

The magic holed up inside Winter could become a powerhouse if released.

“Valen.” The queen clucked, raised her hand high, and snapped her fingers, calling one of the servants standing against the wall. “Get me Valen. I require my tonic.”

“Thank you, Grandmother,” Winter said with a bow.

I tossed him an inquisitive glance, and Winter granted me one quick smile but kept his gaze forward upon his grandmother as the three of us waited.

I folded my hands together, hiding my blue fingers in the wrap of my less affected hand, and rocked up and down on the pads of my feet. I fought the desire to tap a foot or fidget.