Chapter 29
29
W hen Anna woke up that morning, she felt better and more alive than she had in a long time. Relaxed, she stretched between the sheets. She felt next to her and looked up.
Chris had been awake for a while. He had one arm bent behind his head, watching her. He lovingly stroked her reddish-blonde hair and wrapped one of the strands around his finger. "Did you sleep well, madam?"
"Better than I have in a long time. I have…" She widened her eyes suddenly. "I dreamed about you. And me. How we met."
"Was it a dream or a memory?"
"I don't know, but it felt incredibly… real. Did you fish me out of the sea when I followed a siren's call?"
His eyes shone warmly. "Aye, that's how it happened. You remembered. How long did the memory last?"
"Until we said goodbye on the beach."
He grinned boldly and pointed to the two of them and the bed. "We should have done this much sooner."
She laughed as he pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. "I missed you a great deal, Ani."
She snuggled in his arms and enjoyed the feeling of closeness. Another gap had closed and the remaining memories would soon return.
"Have you been awake long?"
"After you fell asleep way too early again, I had the pleasure of watching you sleep." He chuckled softly, sounding incredibly warm and loving.
She tenderly stroked his shimmering silver scar. "How did you get this?"
"Oh, that was thanks to that rat Blackbeard."
Chris had been injured by someone else's blade? Her pulse automatically quickened. "The pirate?"
"Aye. I was young and inexperienced. Today, he wouldn't be able to do that, especially since I always have Freddy and Jack by my side."
"I hope so, otherwise, he'll have to deal with me."
Chris tugged on the strands of her hair. "And how would you avenge me, madam?"
"Just be careful when I get my magic back." She said it so vehemently that the captain sat up and took notice.
"Do you feel it? Did the memory bring that back too?"
"Unfortunately, no, but I know we are on the right track. I've seen myself fly and I've even seen myself using magic with the fairy dust. It won't be long before the pieces of the puzzle come together — I'm convinced of that."
"I hope so. And the one who stole you from me will beg for mercy when I get my hands on him!"
"Or she…" Ultimately, her suspicions revolved around a woman. "What can you do against the Snow Queen's magic?"
"That is my concern." He kissed her fervently, as if he wanted to make her forget all the dangers. When her chain with the sun-shaped pendant brushed against his chest, he took the pendant in his hand. The way he looked at it told her it wasn't the first time he'd seen it. "Do you remember where you got the necklace?"
Anna shook her head and stroked it. "It means a lot to me, I know that much."
He smiled and sat up. "As much as I would like to have you naked by my side longer, we should get up and get moving. We already traveled for a day, so this afternoon, my crew should arrive in the harbor — or at least be nearby. No one will pay attention to a man and woman entering the capital from the southeast."
She glanced up in surprise. How fast could the Fortuna sail? "This afternoon?"
"Aye, I whispered to the sea to speed up her journey."
They peeled themselves out of bed. Overjoyed, Anna discovered a basin full of warm water that the captain had fetched for her. She washed herself thoroughly and slapped several handfuls of water onto her face. The previous night and the dream, which had actually been a memory, made her feel reborn. What better conditions for facing a villain?
When they left the inn, it was early morning. It wasn't snowing and the sun was shining in the ice-blue sky, but it was still frosty, so Anna wrapped her coat tightly around herself, as did Chris. He didn't appear cold, but Anton's objection that the captain would be immediately recognized as a pirate based on his clothes couldn't be dismissed.
They followed the road, which was only visible by the ruts left in the snow by the traders' carts. They marched briskly for a while, passing through several villages where well-dressed people on the streets and heavily smoking chimneys showed that the people living there were as wealthy as those in Frost Home. With each settlement, her suspicions about the Snow Queen grew stronger and Anna could hardly wait to reach King's Snow.
Although the coat warmed her, she felt her lips starting to turn blue and her fingers stiffening. She hoped they would reach their destination soon — they wouldn't be able to stay in this icy land for much longer. Chris sensed her worries and took her hand in his. His body heat helped, but she still felt frosty shivers frequently traveling down her back. A fur coat, no matter how warm it was, wasn't enough if there was just a summery dress and pirate boots underneath.
The Ice Palace became increasingly more distinct before them. It was surrounded by a large city protected by a thick wall, and only the upper floors and spires of the palace rose above the surrounding buildings, like a mother keeping an eye on her kingdom from above.
The closer they came to King's Snow, the more often they were overtaken by traders in their carts. The merchants had stowed the goods under tarps so that the harsh weather could not harm them. What was hidden underneath? Anna would have loved to peek at the loads, but she had to restrain herself all the way into town. There was probably a marketplace and shops where she could admire the products.
"Damn cold to walk that far," came a voice from behind them. When they turned, they spotted a merchant with a tired donkey harnessed to his cart. The man's coat was frayed at the hem and his face was gaunt. "May I offer you a ride?"
Glancing at each other, they nodded. "Gladly."
"You can sit next to me on the bench, everything in the back is full." He slid to the side as Anna hopped up onto the wagon and sat next to him with Chris right behind her.
"You're going to King's Snow, right?"
Before the captain accidentally let out an "Aye," Anna spoke. "Exactly, we're on our honeymoon." It was better to stick to one story, or else they might get confused. "We have already been to Frost Home and walked along the border of the giants' realm. Now I want to see the beautiful capital — and I would love to meet the Snow Queen."
"Meet the Snow Queen?" He laughed as he flicked the reins, and the donkey started moving sluggishly. Anna doubted if they could get into the city faster in the wagon, but it was definitely more comfortable. Although the boots fit well, the break was good for her feet.
"Why are you laughing, sir?" she asked. "We heard she's in the Ice Palace. Doesn't she grant audiences?"
"You're not from here, are you?"
"No, we are from Linnenberg, but we have heard that she helps her people and is the best ruler one could ask for."
"I am not from this land but from the Kingdom of Flowers. I used to live in the Kingdom of Rocks with the giants. We weren't wealthy, but we lived a good life until I had to flee with my family after the events at that time. Since then, I have been working as a trader between the south and north."
That explained the tattered clothes and the exhausted donkey.
Chris remained reserved. The man had traveled a lot — perhaps he had heard of the dreaded captain. Still, without leaning forward, he asked, "Why don't you think we can meet the Snow Queen?"
The trader eyed them skeptically. "Why are you so eager to see her?"
Anna's eyes lit up — and she didn't even have to act. "Well, she is a queen, just like in books. I've wanted to see one all my life."
"Women!" The stranger laughed. Anna winked at Chris. She had mollified the merchant's suspicions.
"Unfortunately, the Snow Queen doesn't grant audiences like in your novels, dear lady. She is a busy woman and highly skeptical of anyone who does not live in her realm. Except for the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Winter, no one is allowed to enter the palace." He cleared his throat, covering his mouth with his palm. "I think she doesn't want to share the wealth that she has brought to her people and herself. But you didn't hear that from me."
"Do you think so?" The captain leaned forward, alert. "Do you suspect she acquired her wealth through dishonest means?"
"If you ask me, it's highly suspicious that things go downhill for us and shortly after, things go up for her. They say it has something to do with that cursed fairy who threw our world out of balance back then…"
Anna paled. She pulled the hood over her head as casually as possible. The trader didn't notice and continued with his explanation without stopping.
"Of course, it also has to do with the cursed pirate who sailed into the air and ignited the giants' ire. If I get my hands on those two, they'll be in for something, believe me. But they say that fairy disappeared, as all the others did. I haven't seen one in years."
Anna glanced at Chris, who waggled his hand at her to keep calm. If the merchant had recognized them, he would not have offered them a ride in his cart and spoken to them so freely.
"I think the Snow Queen had a hand in it. Too many coincidences, if you ask me." The merchant continued his accusations until they reached the city walls. He made baseless assumptions that weren't helpful at all. Still, it was significant that they weren't the only ones who were suspicious of the Snow Queen.
From up top on the wagon bench, the guards at the gate didn't even give them a second glance. They examined the goods under the tarp and let them pass without any problem — no wonder, given the rush and how many people were coming and going. Relieved, Anna squeezed Chris's hand as he stood up a few yards past the city gate.
"Thank you, sir, it was very kind of you. But now we have to move on."
"Already? It's a shame, have fun and remember…" The merchant put his finger meaningfully to his lips. He didn't want them to betray him and his theories.
Chris nodded and jumped off the cart. Then he held out his hand to Anna and she hopped down. The coat swung up and showed her bare legs and the lace of the leafy dress for a moment. The trader stared at her in disbelief and Chris quickly pulled her away. The street was so busy that they could easily blend into the crowd, and the merchant on his cart moved on even more slowly than before. He called after them, but they didn't wait to hear his words and hurried on.
The cityscape was filled with brick buildings densely packed together. Thankfully, it was significantly warmer than outside the walls due to the large number of people and the houses standing close together. And the numerous buildings and the thick city walls kept out the icy wind that had hit them during their journey.
Anna left her coat open but made sure her leafy dress didn't peek out. Chris pulled them onward without stopping, avoiding the main traffic areas. He led her down one side street after the other and seemed to know his way around well.
"Have you been here often?"
"A few times. That's why we're avoiding Ice Street. It's the main thoroughfare. It leads directly to the Ice Palace, but I know a few secret routes."
As he led her, she noticed the buildings. There were far fewer shops on the side streets than the main one, and more apartments and workshops. Nevertheless, she discovered one or two shoemakers, tailors, weavers, and rope makers. Chris's pace was too fast for Anna to look around comfortably. Although curiosity drove her to examine everything, she understood his concern about being recognized if they stayed in one spot for too long.
"Do you want a new hairstyle, dear lady?" the owner of a hair salon called after her, pointing to the hood that she had donned to protect herself from the trader's prying eyes. Anna shook her head and hurried onward with the captain. When he abruptly stopped, she looked around quickly. Had they been discovered?
Chris had pulled her behind a large cart standing at the intersection of the main road and was pointing ahead. As she followed his gesture with her eyes, she was amazed.
In front of them was a huge square, at least the size of five or six soccer fields. It was surrounded by trees glittering with frost flowers and ornate, old-fashioned lanterns made of cast iron with thick candles burning inside. And in the middle rose the Ice Palace.
It was several stories high and its smooth, shimmering surface was made entirely of ice. How was that possible? The sun was shining directly on it and not a drop of water rolled off the elaborately decorated ice towers, the ice statues, or ice crystals embellishing the facade.
"Why isn't it melting?" As she stood in awe in front of the fairytale-like building, her voice was merely a whisper. Made entirely of ice. How was that possible?
"It is magic."
"Is she that powerful?" Anna gasped. How were they supposed to bring the Snow Queen to justice or stop her from continuing to let the fairies die if this woman was capable of such powerful magic?
"Look!" He pointed to a double-winged gate, next to which two guards were standing at attention. "The main entrance is there. As you see, some people can enter."
Her heart started to beat faster. "And through it, we enter the palace, even though we aren't residents of their country?"
"Aye, it's simply a matter of how confidently we go in." He looked at her first with scrutiny, then tenderness. "Are you ready, Ani?"
Not for a moment did he consider leaving her behind. He didn't even ask if she dared do it or if she would rather hide. And she didn't want that either. Despite the alarm bells ringing inside her that she was going into the proverbial lion's den, she nodded. She had to go with him. She needed to find out what had happened back then. It was her duty. She alone could stop the fairies from dying.
"I'm ready."
"Stay close to me. We'll make it."
She smiled at him, squeezed his hand, and then together, they left their hiding place behind the cart and strolled to the gate of the Ice Palace as if it were the most common thing in the world.