24. Mare
Mare
Afell wind surrounded the white city of Tsuyan. Snow plunged from the heavens, and dark clouds blotted out the stars. It looked like a warning: to stay away.
I'd been freezing to death for the better part of an hour.
Teeth chattering, I tried to admire the city I'd heard so much about.
Tsuyan had never fallen in a siege. Its walls bent into a star shape, and large, jagged crystals rose from the surrounding fields.
They glowed with an unnatural blue light—a light fueled by quiet magic that died if you shaved off a fragment to bring home.
Dark gray buildings lined the streets in orderly rows, covered in a heavy layer of snow. It looked cold and uninviting, yet undeniably beautiful.
Sort of like me, I supposed.
Leaning forward on my elk, I watched the front of our party. We'd traveled the north road to Tsuyan with the last of the villagers, only to arrive and learn those who'd left before us had been denied entry to the city.
Reese sat on his white horse by the gates, arguing with a group of men.
He didn't look like he was having much success.
Liam guided his elk to stand by mine. "I should've expected this," he muttered.
I looked around the depressing scene. Roughly two hundred people gathered outside the walls, huddled around fires and hastily assembled tents.
When we first arrived, my heart had soared to see so many villagers had survived. But if Tsuyan left them out here, they would meet their doom nonetheless.
Reese yanked his horse's reins and rode back to us, black cloak flowing behind him like a shadow. I already knew what he would say, judging from the scowl etched on his face.
"So . . . ” I said. "They won't let us in?"
"We can go in," Reese said. "No city can deny a Paragon or his guests entry." He exhaled, frustrated. "Follow me."
I glanced back at Ferris, who had spent most of the ride chatting Bláth's ear off. He met my eye three times before he realized I was motioning for him to ride. Bláth slapped his doe's rear, propelling the prince forward.
Perhaps I ought to look after him better. It would win me no favors with my king should his son become a corpse in my company.
Clicking my heels into my steed, I rode with Reese through the gates. A dozen men were stationed on the parapets. Their eyes followed us through the walls into the city, and I held my breath until we left them behind.
My heart pounded against my chest, my breath caught in my throat. Liam had told me I was mad for thinking the monsters would appear where I did. Mad for thinking it better to stay behind.
Now that I was here, I felt guilt. Terrible guilt.
If I was who I feared, Tsuyan's destruction would follow my arrival. Their blood would be on my hands.
Hoping to distract myself, I admired the famous city of Shatterblades. The stone roads were broad and even, the black wood buildings tall with three-tiered roofs, each laden with snow. Lanterns dangled from their eaves, casting red light over the falling flecks of white.
Reese stopped before a large building wrapped with a lantern-lit porch. He reached into his saddlebags and tossed me a small pouch.
I caught it and heard the jingle of coins.
"Get a room, and get some sleep," Reese ordered. "You've been awake for three days straight."
"I can afford my own room," I said, raising a brow.
"You're my apprentice. I pay,” he said.
"You're not coming?"
"I need to arrange a meeting with the governor first,” he said.
Ferris sat forward on his spotted doe. "I'll come with you."
"No." Reese glared at him. "You're the prince of Aenir, lest you forget. You'll stay here where you're safe." A smirk tugged at his lips. "Under the watch of your Paragon."
Oh, it sounded strange when he said it like that.
Liam spoke with theatrical desperation. "We need you, Ferris. Use your princely authority to have them cook proper Aenir food for us."
"Mm.” I closed my eyes. "Garlic trout with honeyed parsnips."
Father's specialty. Finan had a keen eye. Whenever I fell sick or into sorrow, he'd arrive at my door with a plate of my favorites, well aware of my discomfort, though I never voiced it aloud.
"Alright, fine," Ferris agreed. "Throw in plum pudding, and we have a deal."
"How I love extorting the nobility.” Liam leaned back, satisfied.
"I'll be back tonight," Reese said, turning back to me. "We have training to do. So rest up, Sunshine."
"I cannot wait," I said dryly, rolling my eyes. My brows drew together. "Wait, what did you call me?'
Bláth glanced at me and bit back a smile. "Want company, Reesey? You always try to headbutt politicians. I could do the talking for you."
Reese's eyes twitched, hearing his nickname. "Why not? You can bat your eyelashes at them." He shot me one last look, eyes lingering on my face before he ordered his horse to ride.
Bláth's brown horse trotted along behind him.
That strange sensation returned, a green thing twisting in my gut.
Envy?
Shifting in discomfort, I banished the feeling. Envy was something you felt when you stood a chance, when your relationship was even possible. Stormborns like me could not court Solhearts.
Even had such a pairing been allowed, a far superior woman had just ridden off with him. Bláth was a gorgeous Solheart with an even bigger heart. Why would Reese even glance my way?
They'd already slept together, presumably many times.
I rubbed my eyes and ground my teeth. Thinking about their history had only made things worse.
With twisting envy renewed in my soul, I dismounted and tied my elk up.
Sleep sounded wonderful right now. Pulling Reese's coin pouch open, I counted the gold inside and trudged up the porch steps.
Several men gathered further down the long porch, drinking and talking.
I avoided their gaze and slipped through the door, holding it open for Liam and Ferris.
The prince stared into the distance and ran into me. He flew back, eyes wide as though shocked to see me there.
"Surprise," I said dryly, mouth stretched in a crooked frown. "Something wrong?"
"No, no.” He ran a hand through his hair. "Fetch me when you've got our rooms. It's nice out, and I want to enjoy the air a little longer."
"Nice out?" I echoed. "Maybe if you're crazy."
"Doesn't everyone say I am?" He winked and leaned on the porch railing, looking out over the city.
Shrugging, I stepped inside.
Aenir inns made a point of being cozy and warm.
Our hostel in Kentoro had been plain and uninviting, and it seemed Tsuyan's quarters would be no better.
Cold gray walls boxed me in, dousing the warmth the hearth gave off.
The tables and chairs were crowded with people who turned and stared when we entered.
This was no roadside inn. The women wore long, trailing dresses embroidered with flower patterns, while the men donned knee-length fitted tunics and handsome fur cloaks.
No bowls of mushy iceberries rested before them, but platters of smoked fish and hunks of rye bread.
Smiling awkwardly at the crowd, I turned away and searched for the owner.
An older man stood behind a bar filled to the brim with Muirashin wine.
How I loved their spiced wine. Sitting with Liam in Kentoro's orchard, listening to the people sing like dying rabbits . . . It felt like a lifetime ago.
I took a step toward the bar and stopped dead in my tracks.
Two Solheart men conversed with the bartender, one tall and broad, the other slim. Both dressed in stark white, their golden locks clasped in bonds at the nape of their necks. The shorter man leaned languidly on the counter and slid a coin purse toward the old bartender.
The old man's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. Bowing graciously to the Solhearts, he snatched a wine glass from the shelf and strode toward the crowded tables.
Sharp, loud clinks shattered the crowd into silence as the bartender rapped a spoon against the bottle. "Clear out, clear out," he announced. "The common room's been reserved."
A few bitter shouts and protests emerged from the crowd, but they quickly hushed when they looked over to see who had stolen their inn out from under them.
I swore a wave swept the inn as the people bowed their heads and rose from their tables to file out the door. Confused children were herded with urgency by mothers who gripped their shoulders with white-knuckled hands.
Liam took my elbow and yanked. "Let's go."
Spinning around, I made for the door, but it was filled to the brim with the fleeing crowd.
"Solathair's ass," an unfamiliar voice said. "What are you supposed to be?"
My heart stopped.
The slim Solheart man sauntered toward me and stopped, hand on his hip. He wore a fine cream doublet and kept his long blond locks tied in a pale gold ribbon. Expensive embroidery lined his vest, and glittering rings fit around his fingers.
A nobleman.
Panicked, I faltered in finding the right mask.
"We don't see many of your kind around here.” The Solheart leaned in and cupped my chin. "A pleasant surprise. I always preferred Stormborn women."
"Who wouldn't?" I said, forcing a smile. "We haven't an ugly soul among us."
He chuckled, amused. Lowering his hand, he glanced down. One of his boots slipped between mine and shoved my feet apart. I stepped back, stomach flipping.
"You're playing soldier?" He asked, staring at the tights hugging my legs. "Or is this some rich man's favorite game?"
My throat bobbed. I had no idea what to do, what to say. Did he insinuate I was a whore because he wanted a piece, or to humiliate me?
"Back. Off." Liam's voice broke me from my daze. I'd never heard my brother seethe like that before.
Liam grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the Solheart. The man's grin only widened.
"Aren't you brave?” He said, low and threatening. "Talking to me like that?"
My eyes flicked behind the Solheart. His partner approached: tall, broad, and well-muscled. He dressed in similar attire: white and regal.
"What's going on here?" The new man asked, his voice baritone.
"Nothing," I said. "I was just leaving, as ordered."