Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Dahlia
The deeper they moved in Loriia away from the Asteran border, the worse the prejudice became.
Dalia wiped the sweat off her brow and stepped into the cold biting air, making sure to tuck her damp hands into her pockets.
Nothing killed quite as quickly as hypothermia in the frost giant kingdom.
She’d never quite recovered from her sensitivity to the cold since her plunge into the river all those months ago.
Her breath puffed out in little clouds as she picked her way down the alley and avoided sheets of ice.
Dahlia paused at the mouth of the lane and leaned her shoulder against the cold stone building.
She tugged her hood lower, making sure to keep her face and hair hidden as she watched the traffic move up and down the road—sledges full of ice gliding down the snowy lane.
They’d chosen a larger town near the bustling trade city of Blanche to hide for the time being.
It wasn’t ideal, but it was too dangerous near the border.
The war between the two kingdoms caused tension to be higher than ever, and raids were frequently made on both sides.
It would have been easier to hide along the border, but the risk of capture was too high.
She once again tugged on her hood, dread crawling along her spine.
While their current employer didn’t hate humans, he certainly didn’t want anyone to know he was employing them, especially with the current war between their nations.
Dahlia had practically begged for work and a place to sleep.
The greedy giant knew they were desperate, so he’d made her a deal she couldn’t refuse.
A bed, food, and warmth for her work and discretion.
She glanced over her shoulder at the back door to the inn, and her back twinged.
Being hunched over dirty pots for twelve hours a day was backbreaking, but she didn’t complain.
It kept Lia busy and tired enough that she could fall asleep at night instead of reliving her mistakes over and over.
Although that led to other problems like .
. . the nightmares. She couldn’t shake Neve’s face from her mind.
Run, he’d said.
The familiar feeling of panic crawled up her throat, and she tugged on the cowl of her cloak, feeling like she couldn’t catch her breath.
Not now. Think of something else.
Dahlia tried to control her breathing and focused instead on the pain in her lower back. It helped her ground herself in the moment. She placed both hands at her waist and arched backward, stretching as the muscles twinged with the movement.
Her pulse slowed as she stretched, her breathing finally under control.
The cold air nipped at her bare hands, and she shoved them quickly back in her pockets before stamping her booted feet.
It was time to move. Her break would be over soon, and she’d have to return to her self-made prison.
She’d done many things for wages over the years but had managed to never be a dishwasher.
She despised the unforgiving work that never seemed to end.
Be thankful.
Dahlia strolled along the laneway making sure to keep out of the way. Most frost giants paid her no attention. Everyone was bundled up at this time of the year, and she could pass for a giant child as long as she kept her hood up. Plus, humans rarely made it this deep into Loriia.
She reached the busy town square as her toes began to numb.
Scents of freshly baked goods hovered in the air, causing her mouth to water.
What she wouldn’t give for a pastry. It was a silly thing to miss sugar when her life was in the state it was, and yet, Lia couldn’t help it.
She watched as well-off Loriians moved between beautifully decorated stores, purchasing luxurious baubles.
She’d never known what it was like to have ease until . . . him.
Thinking his name caused too much pain.
Lia hadn’t thought she’d grown accustomed to the luxuries of the palace, but surprisingly, she missed it. She missed him. Loved him even. It was easy to admit now that he was gone. A secret shame of hers. In what world could a king love a bard?
Stop it. You have your life. Your brother is safe.
A brother who was barely speaking to her these days.
Cosmos hadn’t know his mother was still alive until the Giver had dragged him to their mum’s home.
Losing her all over again cut deeply and he needed someone to blame.
That person was Dahlia. It was okay. She could bear it if it kept him from giving into despair.
Shaking herself out of her melancholy thoughts, she gave the whimsical town square one last look. It was time to go back. At least she’d gotten some air and had been able to stretch her muscles. There was much to be thankful for.
A poster caught her eye in the window of the cobbler.
Foreboding filled her chest as she drew closer.
A familiar face was sketched on the poster.
Her own.
Lia’s stomach bottomed out.
It was her, Dahlia, plain as day. She squinted at the writing and stepped closer.
There wasn’t much information other than that she was wanted by the crown and a description of her. She stifled her gasp when it listed off the mottled colors of her legs. She fought not to tug on her dress. There was only one person who knew about her legs.
No. He was dead.
Lia swallowed hard, trying to make sense of the information.
Think.
Jekket was a spy for the Giver. He knew about her legs.
Dahlia had been waiting for something like this to happen. She shouldn’t be surprised that it had. It was only a matter of time before the hunt for her escalated.
She flicked her attention to the poster beside it.
Loshika.
This one clearly stated the healer was a criminal—someone who’d helped the Asterans.
Ice filled her veins.
Her one and only friend had been branded a traitor because of Dahlia’s actions. More giants gathered around her, their voices becoming fuzzy as Lia stared at the insidious posters. Her eyes widened at the sum that was offered for any information on either of them.
It was enough to live three lifetimes lavishly.
Any number of persons would gladly turn her over for such a sum. Stars, if anyone found out what she’d done, they’d torture her and hand her over anyway.
No one knew what she looked like . . . except the innkeeper and his wife.
True fear crashed over her.
That greedy giant would turn them over for a few meager coins.
She dropped her head and spun on her heel.
Carefully, she pushed through the small group of giants and kept her pace sedate until she was out of sight.
Lia picked up her woolen skirts and sprinted for the inn.
She skidded on a patch of ice as she entered the alleyway and crashed to her hands and knees.
Lia scrambled to her feet, ignoring the stinging skin of her palms.
Yanking opened the back door, Lia rushed inside. Her hair immediately curled in the damp warm heat of the scullery. Cosmos was frowning at her.
“Where have you been? Your break ended . . .” He trailed off at the look on her face. His hazel eyes widened. “What’s wrong?”
“We leave now.” Her voice was resigned.
Her brother straightened, his lips pressed in a thin line. “We’ve only been here a few weeks,” he groused. “I don’t want to. I like it here.”
Dahlia snapped into action. In three strides, she stood in front of him. She grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him away from the door that led to the kitchen. “There is a wanted poster with my face on it in the town square. There is one for Loshika as well,” she hissed under her breath.
All color drained from Cosmos’ face, before his cheeks turned red in anger. “So this is your fault. Again.”
She took the verbal blow and licked her lips, glancing at the door once more.
“They’re offering a ridiculous amount of coin for our capture and Loshika’s death.
” She swallowed hard. “I know this last month has been difficult, but we don’t have a choice.
The innkeeper will turn us in sooner rather than later.
We must leave now. I’m sorry.” She squeezed his wrist. “Is Loshika in our room?”
Cosmos shook his hand out of her grip and crossed his arms. “I don’t know.”
Lia swallowed hard, hating that he was drifting farther and farther away from her. “I will fetch her. I’ll grab your bag and anything you need. Please tell me you packed your things this morning?”
Her brother rolled his eyes. “You’ve made me pack my bag every single night before bed. Of course, it’s packed.”
“Good boy,” she murmured before slipping out of the scullery and through the kitchen.
She kept her head down as she passed by the bar and dining area. Lia scanned the simple clean room from beneath the edge of her hood, making sure no one took notice of her. She steered to the left to avoid the innkeeper and slipped up the servants’ stairs up to their small room.
Her heart pounded, and Lia paused at their door, her hand shaking as she reached for the knob.
What if someone was already waiting for her inside?
Her pulse rushed in her ears, and she forced herself to calm down—to think rationally. Silently, Dahlia leaned forward and pressed her ear against the wooden door. All she could hear was Loshika humming softly.
Surely, if the healer had wanted to betray Lia, it would have already happened by now. If there was an ambush waiting inside, her friend wouldn’t be in that sort of good mood.
Lia steeled herself, stepped inside, and then closed the door softly behind her. Relief was almost immediate. The tiny room was empty except for the giantess. Loshika’s head popped up from her knitting, and she smiled at Lia. Her smile melted away. “What’s wrong?”
“We must leave. Now.”