Page 90 of Omen of ice
He knows I lied.
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Valen
I didn’t expect the rush of needlelike pain when Tania traced the sigil below her eye. That day she warded me, she said it didn’t hurt. Was it like that for her each time she used a sigil? That sharp, biting pain that, even now, close to ten minutes later, still lingers?
“Amazing,” Delkin says as he leans closer to the small glass box. With her finger, as she did to me at the estate, she traces the same symbol onto his cheek that she put onto her own skin. At least he doesn’t have the same reaction to it I had—that feeling of euphoria. “My eyes are brown now.”
“I don’t understand why it makes so much of a difference,” I say. “It’s not like we’re going to allow them to gaze into our eyes as we’re stealing the yorgers back.”
“If you want to break the link, we need to take every precaution possible.” Delkin’s gaze meets mine. “If they were to make the connection, I promise you, you would not make it to Ventin.”
“And why is th—”
The bushes behind us rustle, and a second later, several Winter Guards burst through. “Don’t move!” the one in front shouts.
They emerge from the brush, one by one, the last coming through holding the end of a chain. At the end of that chain is the sniffer, and Gods, it’s worse than the brief glimpse we got before. Its long snout twitches as it snaps at the air, twice in my direction. Thick yellow-tinted mucus drips from the corners of its mouth.
“Valen, nephew of the Winter Lord, are you safe? Have they harmed you?”
So, I was right. They spun it as a kidnapping. Liani knew the truth, but what could she have said? If she admitted to helping us leave the palace, surely Orbik would have punished her. Knowing what I now know about him, I can only imagine what that penalty would entail.
I step to the front of the group and bow. “Warriors, it is honorable that you came, but I assure you that I’m well. The Aphelian did not force me to leave the estate. I chose to do so of my own free will.”
The guards exchange confused glances. The one in charge—I’ve seen him around the estate a few times—stiffens. “Be that as it may, we’ll have to ask that you return with us. Your uncle worries for your safety. These are dangerous lands.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t mind conveying my good health to my uncle. Tell him I’ll return to the estate shortly.”
The leader frowns. “I’m going to have to insist you return with us.”
“Have I suddenly become a prisoner in my own home?” I offer them a lazy grin.
He shifts from foot to foot, clearly uncomfortable. His gaze lands on Tania, and he scowls. “I can’t imagine there’s anything out here that you can’t do back at the estate.”
Tania shifts. If she goes for her sword—like I know she wants to—they’ll cut her down in an instant. “I’m fine,” I tell him. “My current…guides…are well acquainted with the area.”
The soldiers exchange glances, then turn to Delkin. The Fae in charge steps forward. “By the order of Lord Orbik, I demand that you stand aside and allow us to return Valen to his family.”
Delkin is quiet, but the subtle shift in his demeanor is unmistakable. Relaxed but cautious, to eerily, silently enraged. Three steps. That’s what he takes until he stands in front of the guardsman who leads the group.
“Return him to hisfamily?” His voice is like ice, eyes pinning the guard in place. Fury blazes like I’ve never seen before. Something dark and primal. I wonder what a force he must have been back when the Fae were at their strongest.
The guards must see it, too, because they all reach for their weapons. “Stand down, or we will use deadly force.”
Tania draws her sword and swings the blade, twirling it in an intricate series of swipes and twists. “I’m fairly sure you have no idea what that entails.”
“Del,” Benj says quietly.
My father is beside me now, still staring at the guards.
“Del,” Benj tries again, this time with more force. “She’s adruid, remember? You need to—”
Daroose sighs. The kelpie’s posture is casual, but there’s an unmistakable spark of concern in its eyes. “Someone really should have explained druid empath abilities to her.”
Empath abilities? That definitely sounds like something Tania should have been given a heads-up about.
“How about I offer an alternate choice.” Tania steps between us and the soldiers, blade still in hand. “Turn around and slink back to your lord. Tell Orbik that no harm will come to his nephew so long as you leave us be. When I’m finished, I’ll return him, safe and sound.”
