Chapter 4 – Neve
NEVE
The humans waved excitedly when we rode back to camp, laden down with levae, other dried goods, and useful supplies. Things like the weapons and tools the humans would need once they settled into their new home.
The only beings who didn’t look pleased to see us were the pair of horses we hadn’t been able to take to the village. From them, we received greetings of stomped hooves and harsh snorts.
“They’re brimming with great irritation.” Caelo nodded to the horses.
“They see how fresh and well fed their friends look after visiting a warm stable.” Vale shook his head with amusement.
“Exactly.” Caelo turned his full attention to the horses and clicked his tongue softly a few times. “We brought you apples and oats.”
Their stances softened.
“I’ll take care of them,” Caelo said, eyes crinkling at the corners. He’d removed our glamours an hour out of the village, and his eyes were back to their brilliant blue color. “You two can unload without assistance?”
“We have it under control,” Vale assured him, and the knight veered for the horses.
Once he was gone, I met Vale’s eye. “Judging by the smiles we received, all went well in our absence.”
“Agreed. It helps that the sun warmed things up today. People are in a good mood.”
Two dozen people helped us unload the supplies into an ice hut. Once done, I took a bunch of levae in one hand and waved the other at the hut, dousing it with my magic. It was not warm enough to melt ice, but to be safe, I wished to reinforce the structure.
“One piece of this bread can last a fae Vale’s size all day.” I handed a woman one of the many packages of levae that we bought. “And as long as it stays dry, it won’t go bad. So make sure to keep it stored dry.”
She pressed the package to her heart, clearly grateful.
“Did the hunters go out today?” Vale asked the general group.
There had been some debate on whether that should happen. Given the n?kken attack, many humans were fearful.
“We did,” Ronaldo replied. “Killed ten hares and, get this—we finally saw a boar!”
The barkeep in the village had told us boars did, occasionally, venture this far south and west, and at this further proof, gratitude welled in my chest. Maybe the boars would move further south and into the mountains. They could be regular food sources for these people.
“It ran off too fast for us to hit it, though.” Anna came up behind and added to the tale. “Next time, we’ll be ready.”
“Excellent.” Pride rolled off Vale at his students’ progress. “Perhaps we should practice shooting again before we lose the light? Those who are adept can help those who are still learning.”
Ronaldo grinned. “I’ll gather people.”
Vale kissed me before going off to help the archers. I loosed a sigh and glanced around. For the first time all day, I was at a loss at what to do and though the day had been long, I wasn’t yet ready for sleep.
Anna nudged me. “Let’s collect snow for water.”
“Good idea.” I fell in line with my friend.
Now that we knew human bodies, along with that of the dead n?kken, were in the water, no one dared to drink from the lake. We were back to scooping and melting snow like we did in the forests—a never-ending task.
“So,” Anna began as, with her hands, she scooped snow into a watertight basket. “Anything interesting happen in the village?”
My mind flashed to the fae affected by the blight, then to the brownie who had called for a healer for a poor youngling.
“People are talking about Vale and me. Apparently, I’m pregnant with Roar’s youngling, and we’ve left Avaldenn until I give birth.”
“What are they saying you’ll do with the child?”
“That I’d abandon it,” I said. “I’d never do such a thing, but such a youngling would certainly be in danger. I’m willing to bet King Magnus would throw it in a lake. One with a n?kken.”
I meant to remain lighthearted, but the image of a n?kken coming across an innocent youngling and pulling it below cracked my voice. I swallowed and tried to fight the emotion rising inside me. Emotions I’d tried hard to hold back all day.
Perhaps it was just a matter of time, but it still surprised me when I failed. Fat, hot tears sprang to my eyes.
“Neve,” Anna whispered. “What’s wrong?”
“I-I—we saw so much in the village, and that was after what happened last night. And . . .” I trailed off before sniffling. “After all this, I’m not sure I’m fit to lead.”
Soft, cold hands landed on my shoulder and unthinkingly, I slipped them beneath my furs. Anna had gloves but needed the heat my furs provided more than me.
“There, what you did with my hand, proves you’re meant to help these people, Neve. That you care more than almost all other fae.”
“I care but that doesn’t negate the fact that so many people have died!”
“They understood the risks when they left the mine. And it’s not like you can control the cold.”
A lie. Or at least, it might be. As a Falk by blood, I might control the Ice Scepter, a magical Hallow of this land that mitigated the worst of winter’s storms and weather.
In a handful of days, we’d reach Dergia.
Once we were sure the humans were safe, then Anna, Caelo, Vale, and I would leave them there, in peace and freedom.
When that time came, I needed to have made my choice of what I’d do next.
If we should risk returning to Avaldenn, or only go to Riis Tower.
Both places would likely have some information on the Scepter, but I was of the mind that Riis Tower would be the safest place to begin.
Even if we only stopped there for a couple of days, it would give us time to assess what exactly was happening in Avaldenn.
Anna twisted me so that I stared her dead in the eyes. “I’m serious, Neve. Those people knew that risk, and they still came. They came for a chance at freedom. You gave them that. A chance when they wouldn’t have had one before.”
What she said was true, but somehow, my heart still found everything I was doing to be inadequate.
Can a former slave really become a queen?
At first, fueled by my mother’s insistence that I come west and after seeing everything Roar had done, everything I suspected his ancestors had done too, I was on fire. I wanted change. To protect.
However, after two weeks of travel through the harsh land I’d been born to, I wasn’t sure. I was strong, but strong enough to do what needed to be done?
“Are you thinking that you’d rather go south?
Like we once planned?” Anna asked, breaking my deluge of doubt as she scooped more snow into her basket.
“Do you want to make a new life where no one knows you? If you do, I’ll understand.
No one understands more than me. And, of course, I’ll come with you. ”
I turned, caught her gaze, those dark eyes so full of compassion. Exhaling, I scooped more snow into the basket and patted it down.
“At first, going south was an escape. Freedom.” I swallowed. “Now though, no matter where I go, I won’t feel free. There’s always a chance someone will learn who I am and hunt me for who I am, rather than what I’ve done.”
Anna nodded slowly. “Then there’s Vale.”
Unthinkingly, my gaze shifted to the edge of the forest where the prince was instructing archers. Thanks to Vale’s instruction, it was plain that many had improved.
I sighed. Vale. My husband. An unexpected rock in my life. The male I was falling for . . .
Things had been hot and cold between us, mostly because he’d had more time—too much time—to consider his parentage.
As far as I was concerned, as a father, Lord Riis was a great improvement over King Magnus.
The kingdom would be better off with the current king being dead—or at the very least, tossed in a cell that was rarely visited.
“He’s perfect for me,” I admitted. “But this journey has brought up feelings that we’re working through.”
“I understand.” She sounded wistful, and I was pretty sure I knew why. I’d heard that tone before from Anna when she’d spoken of a boy she fancied.
“Do you think of Arie often?” I asked.
“Yes. He’s different from other people I’ve met. Which I realize seems obvious, seeing as I grew up with slaves and around vampires, and he’s a fae lord who had everything he ever wanted at his fingertips, but it feels deeper.”
“You like him?”
“I do. And I know it’s crazy to say this, but I think there could be more between us too, if this place changed.”
My stomach tightened in understanding. Arie was a faerie, a male of the Sacred Eight.
Anna was a human.
It was one thing for a commoner fae to be raised so high in fae society. Far less likely for a fae slave to do the same, but not unthinkable. A partnership between a human and a noble lord, however, was as likely as the dead gods returning to Isila.
But if I spoke my truth, if I claimed my real name and fought King Magnus for the throne, I could be a catalyst for the change Anna and Arie needed to be together. I could do so much good. My chest seemed to squeeze hard as I stood.
“You would be perfect together.” I hefted my basket. “Better get this to the fire to melt.”
Anna said nothing as I returned to my work, my head buzzing, and my heart heavy with conflict.