Chapter Twenty-Six
VIOLET
“It’s not like you to be so agreeable,” Imugi mutters.
The demon’s words are almost inaudible as the wind finds its strength. Either Joon doesn’t hear, or he chooses to ignore the demon as he climbs into the saddle in a single, elegant motion.
Again, I’m struck by how much he appears every inch a prince, from his innate grace and physical strength to his posture and overall demeanor.
A smug grin pulls at his mouth.
I duck my head to hide the blush trying to creep up my neck from being caught staring as I take his offered hand and let him pull me up in front of him.
Imugi glides to Joon and settles over his shoulders, nestling into the space between his neck and collar, with only the end of their long nose peeking out.
Even within fur-lined gloves, my fingers sting from the chill that has only worsened as the day stretched on. I was looking forward to warming up in town. More important than my disappointment, Joon needs to rest.
I’ve come to recognize the signs when his power is depleting. When we started out, his face radiated warmth from within. Now, he looks as though frost will form on his skin if he gets any colder.
Joon closes his eyes as he does when summoning one of the fae roads.
“Wait,” I say. Both his and the demon’s attention snap to me. “Siphon first. You’ve used a lot of power today.”
“She has a point,” Imugi says, surprising me when their voice lacks the usual bite.
Joon leans forward, taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger as he lowers his face. It’s a bit awkward with someone else within inches of us—even if they are a demon. Just as I think his lips will brush mine, a soft cerulean glow lights his irises.
He checks the frost bloom’s power within me, then pulls back, leaving me feeling oddly disappointed. I shouldn’t want the risk that comes with siphoning.
“Not yet.”
“Then take the main roads,” I say.
Joon shakes his head. “That would add half a day to our journey. We would have to ride through the Shadow Fields.”
“I will lend the horse my power,” Imugi says. “Conserve what you can. There’s no telling how much you’ll need for what lies ahead.”
Joon’s nostrils flare. “Since when do the two of you get along so well?”
“We can’t always disagree on everything,” I say with a shrug, not bothering to hide a triumphant smirk.
“Fine.”
Imugi slips out of their perch and slowly circles above the horse’s head. Twin streams of fog pour from their nostrils, condensing into a thick cloud. It moves curls as though alive toward the horse’s muzzle, then into the beast on an inhale.
Joon urges the mare into a run, and we race in the direction of the palace. The sun begins its descent toward the horizon. There’s a good chance it will be dark before we reach the palace.
My nerves strain at the thought of being out in the open when that happens. Despite the fact that both Joon and Imugi are with me and able to drive demons away, the recent attack is still too fresh in my memory.
That feeling worsens as we enter the edge of the forest. The canopy overhead blocks most of the light. Leaves cast shadows in all directions that shift in the air currents.
Joon gathers the reins with one hand to slip an arm around my waist, holding me tight against him. His fingers splay over my abdomen, and his thumb brushes over my ribs absentmindedly. The feel of his muscled chest against my back chases away the chill better than a hot meal.
Has he always been so warm?
He must not realize how his hands make me feel when he touches me so casually. It makes me think there could be more to this than our bargain and the friendship that developed between us.
The rhythm of the horse’s gate causes our bodies to shift against each other. Warmth gathers in my belly, bringing to mind images of how it would feel to have his hands on me. To feel his skin sliding over mine, as he moves over and within me…
Or maybe Joon realizes exactly what he’s doing. Because it’s impossible to worry about demons when I am having such lurid thoughts about the prince at my back—thoughts I have no right to have.
I close my eyes, trying unsuccessfully to push the images from my mind.
We break free of the trees, their shadows giving way to the weak light filtering through the overcast sky. A storm looms atop the Maldan Ice Wall far behind us.
The Shadow Fields turns out to be a sprawling tundra.
I’ve never seen anything like it. Thousands of dips hold layers of dark, frozen water that reflect the shifting, angry clouds above.
Our progress slows as we weave through the tightly packed pools.
They range in size from standard puddles to the size of Firnhallow’s main square.
There is something eerie about it that sends a chill crawling up the back of my neck.
The prince’s hold on me tightens as we make what feels like painfully slow progress after using the fae roads to travel.
We ride for several hours, with the descending sun serving as a constant reminder of our impending deadline.
The muscles in Joon’s arm only loosen when the end of the Shadow Fields comes into view.
A worn cabin sits on the shore of a wide lake about a mile beyond. Without lights shining through the windows or smoke rising from the crooked chimney, it has the look of being abandoned for a long time.
In the far distance, straight ahead and to the west, I can just make out the crossroads that lead to the palace. It will take at least another four or five hours of riding at this pace to reach it.
Movement from the corner of my eye catches my attention. When I look, I find nothing out of the ordinary.
The sun disappears behind a wall of gray as the wind whips viciously. Small flurries pelt against our faces like needles of ice. The howling wind grows louder and louder until it sounds like a mix of screams and growls.
There is something unnatural about this storm.
I twist toward Joon. The words on my lips turn into a cry of alarm as a massive demon, half the size of the horse, bursts from a frozen pool, spraying us with ice and water.
I shield my face with my arms. Joon lets out a harsh curse, jerking on the reins.
The horse whinnies and leaps to the side, then runs wild, trying to fling us off as more and more demons burst from icy cores between mounds of earth.
Imugi is out, using their power on the horse once more. We move faster. Joon tries to steer toward the cabin and away from the field of ice wells.
A demon materializes a few yards ahead. The horse screams and rears up. Another demon seizes the opportunity to plow into our side.
We land hard. The horse flails as it gets back up and bolts, faster without our burden, and leaves us stranded.
My ears ring. Everything hurts from the impact. I push myself to sitting, pressing a hand against my head. I touch something warm and sticky. My palm comes away with a smear of blood.
“Imugi!” Joon yells over the cries of demons. “The horse!” He is already on his feet, taking up a wide stance beside me. “We need it! Now go!”
The demon responds, but I can’t hear what they say. Imugi heeds Joon’s command.
Now, it’s the two of us against a harmony of wild demons. And without a weapon or magic, I can do nothing to help drive them away.
The demons’ formless bodies twist and reshape, moving like shadows, slowly solidifying.
I struggle to my feet and clench my fists at my side, fighting against the first agonizing squeeze in my chest.
Their restraint breaks, and they lunge at will, snarling in delight. Joon lifts his hands. A ball of pale blue light hovers over each palm as the demons bear down.
Anger rises in my chest. What in the Otherworld made me think I could be useful to him? I’m only another thing for him to worry about. A distraction that could get him killed.
Joon moves with speed and agility. The first ball of light hits its mark, throwing the demon back with a furious roar.
More follow, while others manage to dodge the light.
He fights the demons off, keeping them at bay, sending bursts of light in rapid succession.
There’s only so much he can do when he’s forced to stay with me.
“Violet,” Joon calls over his shoulder. “The dagger in my right boot—get it.”
I don’t know why he thinks a dagger, of all things, can help. It would require getting too close to be of any use. Regardless, I do as he orders, dropping into a crouch and yanking it free.
It’s the same dagger he once held to my throat. The blade gleams from within like liquid moonlight. I shove the hilt of it into his palm. The weapon draws the light above his hand into it, and now, it really does shine as his power crackles over the surface in streaks of blue lightning.
“Stay close,” he says. And then he leaps toward the closest demon, flinging a lance of light at them. They dodge, but not fast enough to avoid the dagger that sinks into their massive shoulder. The demon releases an ear-piercing scream as it drops with a heavy thud.
I struggle to keep close, but my heart continues to squeeze as if it’s fighting to beat against some physical force trying to contain it. My panting quickly turns into rasping breaths.
Joon glances at me over his shoulder. It’s only a second, but it’s enough time for a demon to reach out and rake their talons over his forearm.
The dagger clatters to the ground.
With a furious cry, he sends a blinding burst of light into the demon’s face. Two more demons race to attack in tandem now that he’s unarmed. But his back is to one, and he doesn’t see.
I will not be the reason he dies here. I will not sit back helplessly waiting to die.
Ignoring the sharp pain piercing my chest, I dive for the blade, wrapping half-numb fingers around the hilt as I roll. My body protests against the jolt against the frozen earth, but I push on and swing my arm.