Chapter 27
27
A s soon as they were far enough away from Anton, the captain pulled her against him rapturously. "Now the chaperone can no longer come between us."
Anna laughed and glanced back to where, not too far away, a gray-green hill now rested in the middle of the white-covered grassland. When the captain heard her laugh, he couldn't contain himself any longer. He put his hand on the back of her neck, ran his other hand through her snow-moistened hair, and kissed her. The kiss was more intense than any they'd shared before, perhaps because both had been yearning for it for so long.
Breathless, Anna broke away from him and pointed north. "As nice as this is, we don't have time for it since we don't want to spend the night out in the open."
"You wouldn't freeze by my side, if that's what you're worried about." He winked at her and took her hand before they walked on.
"Do you have a plan or are we going to improvise?"
"As I said before, we should make inquiries in the villages that face the palace and the capital. The residents probably don't know my face, unlike the people in King's Snow."
"King's Snow?"
"That is the capital of the Kingdom of Winter. Like any big city, many traders can be found there. One or two of them will have been in the port cities, maybe even sailed on a ship and seen me."
That was good to know. Then they definitely had to stay hidden, or at least he did — after all, no one knew her. "So, I'll be interviewing the people in King's Snow."
"Ani, no, you…"
"Why not? It's not like anyone knows me."
"That's what you think. Remember what happened in Linnenberg."
"As if I could forget those scoundrels. But that was in the Kingdom of Flowers. Toni said we always wanted to see the Kingdom of Winter but never did. Consequently, even as a fairy, I have never been there."
"As far as you know."
"We have to find answers to our questions and who would expect a fairy in the Kingdom of Winter?"
He shook his head vehemently. "Countless people are searching for you because of Blackbeard's bounty. It's far too dangerous."
He wasn't wrong, but still, they had to get information. How was it going to work if they both had to stay out of sight? At least, there was still time to think about it before they reached the capital. "First, we'll ask around in the villages, which we can do together."
The captain gave her a wry sideways glance. "I was actually hoping you'd stay hidden or at least remain in the background."
She laughed. "You don't know me very well."
He grinned. "Or too well."
They hurried to reach the first village before the sun set. The iced-over sign that stood at the entrance to the town read "Welcome to Frost Home." Frost Home. Anna shrugged. Nomen est omen — nothing more needed to be said.
Hardly anyone was on the street, which was hardly surprising given the sub-zero temperatures. At least it felt like it was below freezing. Individual houses were grouped haphazardly around a square with a wide fir tree growing in the middle. Lights burned in the windows along with a few cast-iron street lamps that illuminated the settlement. Thick clouds of smoke drifted into the cold sky out of every chimney, proving that at least no one had to freeze at home.
Anna pulled the fur coat tighter around her body as the tip of her nose grew red and her breath turned into steamy plumes that floated upward. "Where to now?"
"Let's find a tavern."
"A tavern? Do you think there is something like that here? The village has maybe twenty houses."
"Of course they have one. Every town does — especially where it is so cold. After all, people in Frost Home also want to celebrate weddings and festivals, which is hardly possible out in the open."
That was obvious. They headed for the village square and found a tavern next to it with a sign inviting people in for grog or mulled wine. The smell of cinnamon and a roaring fire drifted out to the street, calling out to them. They approached and tried to peek through the windows but the glass was frosty and fogged up on the inside, so they couldn't see anything.
"Stay close to me, Ani."
Anna was so cold, she rubbed and kneaded her hands together and shifted from one foot to the other. "Sure, but only if you go in already."
He chuckled softly as they entered the bar one after the other. It was quite crowded and clouds of steam wafted toward them. The mood was exuberant and quite loud. With no waiter, steaming mugs were handed out by the pot-bellied host behind the long counter who was cheerfully pouring beer and mulled wine.
Chris pointed to two empty stools. "Come on, let's sit at the counter. Food and a hot drink will do us good."
"That sounds wonderful."
It was hot, so Anna loosened the corners of the fur coat so that it was open in the front. Should she take it off? But, considering someone might recognize her as a fairy in her dress, she thought it better to leave it on. After all, they wanted to remain inconspicuous and a fairy in the Kingdom of Winter, especially when the fairies had all but disappeared, wouldn't exactly be inconspicuous. Chris also left his coat on — he probably was thinking the same thing.
"What can I get you?" came the innkeeper's husky voice. He would certainly have stormed the charts as a singer.
Anna indicated to Chris that he should order for her. He had a better sense of what was available. If she listed what she was hungry for and what she knew from the non-magic world, the innkeeper would certainly become suspicious.
"Hot grape juice and a salad for the lady — no dressing, her stomach is upset."
No dressing? She was about to speak up when the thought of vinegar made her violently nauseous. How had she ever eaten something so sour?
"I would like a strong beer and a ladleful from the pot over there that smells so good," Chris continued.
"Right away." The innkeeper immediately started filling the orders while Chris turned to Anna and winked discreetly at her. They observed the numerous guests, who didn't look like they were short on money or enduring hardships. The plates were lavishly filled and people were in clothes that were well cared-for. Even the relaxed atmosphere suggested that they had all drunk more than was good for them.
With a loud clatter, the innkeeper placed the plates and drinks on the counter in front of them.
"Thank you, sir. Tell me, is there a celebration taking place? Or why is the mood so exuberant?"
The innkeeper's expression turned skeptical. "You're not from here, are you?"
Chris began to eat the stew to make it difficult for the innkeeper to see his face. "No, we're on our honeymoon."
On our honeymoon? Anna found it difficult to suppress her laughter. The captain, however, seemed to have said the right thing because the innkeeper grabbed a beer glass and polished it without giving her a second glance.
"Then the first round is on me."
"Thank you." Anna smiled at him before timidly digging into the salad. She was still full from dinner on the Fortuna and wondered if she could even eat a bite. Luckily, there was no vinegar on the lettuce leaves. How well Chris knew her to have thought of that when ordering.
"I grated the carrots extra finely so that your upset stomach won't give you any more trouble." The innkeeper winked at her and turned back to the beer glasses. "Where are you originally from?"
Chris barely glanced up from his goulash. "Linnenberg."
"Linnenberg? No wonder, you don't enjoy that kind of atmosphere anymore. The economy must have gone downhill badly in the last few years."
"Unfortunately. But as long as I can afford the trip my love has longed for, I can't complain."
The innkeeper grumbled. "Where are you spending the night?"
"We actually wanted to make it to King's Snow…" The captain deliberately left the sentence unfinished and the innkeeper shook his head vehemently.
"That's too far. You'll freeze to death before you get there, especially your delicate bride." Did she really look so fragile to him? "One of my two guest rooms upstairs is vacant. You can stay here if you'd like."
"That is generous of you, sir. What do you say, love?"
A night under the innkeeper's roof? In a room? She knew what was about to happen and her heart immediately began to beat excitedly. When she felt Chris's dark gaze on her, heat surged through her body. Criminy, her emotions were going crazy in his presence. Before he noticed, she lowered her eyelids and gave him a suggestive look. "That sounds wonderful, love."
His eyes widened and their gazes locked. She felt the fire burning within him and goosebumps crawled up the back of her neck. Before he pounced on her right there in the inn, she broke eye contact and turned to the innkeeper. They shouldn't forget why they'd come. "In the Kingdom of Winter, the economy seems to have recently blossomed. We're truly happy for you."
"I am also extremely grateful. In the past, I could hardly pay the winemaker's bill with the few guests who could afford to frequent my pub. In the last few years, however, there have been more and more of them. All of us benefit from the boom in commodities."
"I'm not surprised — the grape juice is fantastic." Anna took another sip.
Chris leaned slightly over the counter. "Where do you get it and the wine from? As far as I know, many winegrowers' vines in the south of the island are lying fallow."
"That's correct. Some of our farmers recognized the gap in the market and specialize in ice wine."
"Ice wine?" Anna frowned. "But that also has to grow first."
"The Snow Queen helps with that."
Anna and Chris glanced furtively at each other. It was abundantly clear that this realm was benefiting from the decline of the others. So, was it true? Was the Snow Queen behind Anna's disappearance and the fairies' deaths?
Chris leaned forward again. "Say, my good man, my bride would like to see the Snow Queen. Is she currently in the Ice Palace?"
"Oh, yes, that would be wonderful," Anna said playing her part.
Apparently, she was convincing because the innkeeper smiled. "Naturally. It is there that she directs our fortunes and monitors the boom. She used to stay out of most things, but things have changed. She ensures that every resident of our kingdom benefits from the improved trade situation. She doesn't even hesitate to cast a spell or two to help us — unlike before. She is truly the best queen we could ask for."
Anna and Chris again exchanged meaningful looks. Everything suggested that they were on the culprit's trail. The Snow Queen. Hadn't several people already said that she was a powerful magical being? But how could they stand up to her? And get things back to normal? Anna picked at the salad listlessly. She was more than full from the two pieces of bell pepper she had eaten. She couldn't eat another bite.
Chris correctly interpreted her reluctance to eat, or else he couldn't wait a second longer. He downed the mug of beer in one gulp and slammed it onto the counter. Alongside it he placed a gold coin, which was certainly more than enough to pay the bill.
The innkeeper seemed used to such a large quantity of money — or rather, gold — and just nodded. "This will also get you breakfast and food for the road tomorrow." He placed the coin in a pouch on his belt and pointed to a heavy curtain. "The stairs are behind there. Your room is at the end of the hall."
"Thank you." They said goodnight to him and Chris took her hand. Impatiently, he pushed her off the stool and pulled her toward the curtain. As he walked, he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Ready for an unforgettable night, love?"
Anna giggled. "Why are you in a rush? Don't we have all night?"
"Only if you don't start snoring again right away." He pulled the curtain close behind them, picked her up, and carried her up the stairs. She laughed again as he carried her down the corridor to the back.
When the door closed behind them, they could only vaguely make out the room. But as soon as Chris found the bed, he hurried over and laid her on the soft blankets. In the twilight, she could barely see his face, but she recognized the fire and passion that flickered in his eyes. He leaned over her as hot waves coursed through her body. Slowly, he pulled the fur coat off her and ran a rough finger along her bare arm. Goosebumps tingled across her skin as she greedily stretched her mouth toward him. She was eager to meet him — his lips, his body.
As his heavy coat tumbled to the floor, she pulled him close and pressed her body against his. She didn't want to wait any longer, she couldn't wait any longer. They belonged together, now and forever. The fairy and the pirate. Ani and Chris. How could she have forgotten this man…