Loren nodded, pensive, and fell silent again. It was just an heirloom then, nothing more. Even Seraphis was able to use the dragon magic, proving that they were distantly related. Loren sighed, settling into the snow and the warmth of Kae and Ma’trii beside her. She wasn’t as special or important as she thought. “Thank you, Gershwin.”
“For what, little dragon?”
“For being patient with me. I learned a lot, you’ve a very good teacher.”
Gershwin chuckled, and reached over to pat the top of Loren’s head. “Sleep now, little dragon. You have a long journey ahead of you when you wake.”
Loren nodded again and curled up closer to Kae. She felt the huntress shift, turning on her side and moving closer to Loren in return. The princess smiled, and closed her eyes, finally drifting off to sleep.
Seraphis watched Loren and Kae sleep, again, and sighed. Her expression was grim as she rubbed the markings circling her wrists, burning with a fiery light underneath her skin. “Haedria,” she breathed quietly, softly enough that even Gershwin wouldn’t hear. Her branded markings flared, and she shifted to face the wall, so the added glow wouldn’t be seen. Her sister heard her call. “Duro and I are almost home. I found the dragon girl, and you were right. You were right.”
Chapter Seventeen
The next day, Loren woke just as immobile as the night before. Yawning, she struggled and shooed Ma’trii off her. The wolf yelped, startled awake, and hopped off. The wolf came around to lick Loren’s face, until the princess giggled and waved him away again, telling him to wake Kae. The huntress was still fast asleep and wouldn’t wake no matter how many times her wolf licked her face. Ma’trii gave a frustrated grunt, and repeatedly pounced onto the huntress and her bundle of furs. Kae woke with a heavy ‘oof,’ swearing and wheezing into consciousness.
“Ma’trii!” Kae coughed, struggling to get up. “What was that for?”
Already sitting up beside her, Loren chuckled. “Good morning, Kae. I’m glad you’re awake.” She smiled at the huntress, her words only scratching the surface of her meaning. “I’m really sorry but we have to get going soon.”
“What? Where are we?” Kae asked groggily, yawning. The igloo had remained intact throughout the frigid night, and Kaiten and Cassendir were groaning and sitting up in response to the sudden noise. She saw Gershwin by the wall, sitting on a mound of snow and leaning against a wall. The old man’s chest rose and fell steadily in his sleep. “Who’s that?” Kae whispered to Loren.
“A very powerful mage. His name is Gershwin, and he’s the one that saved us.” Loren answered. The princess stood and offered a hand to help Kae stand. She took it and got up, brushing the snow off her furs. Her skin was still pale and she shivered slightly, but she was alive. It was more than Loren could have asked for.
Kae noticed the princess looking around the igloo as if searching for something. “Did you lose anything, princess?”
“Ah, no.” Loren muttered. Just like before at the outpost, Seraphis and her hound left without a trace. “Must be my imagination. Are you alright Kae? Well enough to walk?”
The huntress nodded. “I’m alright. Hungry and cold, but we can’t do anything about the cold.”
“We still have venison in our packs; Cassendir can start a fire for us as soon as he wakes up.”
Kae nodded again. She began to stretch, holding her arms as high above her head as she could. The motion jutted her chest out, and Loren glanced before prying her gaze away. The princess felt a hot flush on her cheeks. “Another day of us not dead.” Kae said, chuckling. “So far so good on your adventure, right princess? How much farther are we to the border? I wouldn’t regret getting as far away from here as possible. I mean, I think I can’t even remember what warmth feels like.”
Kae laughed good naturedly, and Ma’trii shared a wolfish chuckle beside her. The princess couldn’t help but smile. Kae was in high spirits despite almost dying in the cold last night. She dreaded to think of what she would do if she never heard the huntress’s cheerful banter again. Loren smiled and left Kae to stretch and attempt to restore feeling in her numb fingers. She went to check on the boys.
Blue light was shining brightly through Cassendir’s clothes. The man himself looked weak and pale, but the light of his magic was strong. Loren unwrapped one of her own furs and put it around the scholar’s shoulders. She took his face in her hands, gently lifting his head to look at her. Cassendir weakly blinked back and made no effort to move.
“Cassendir? Are you alright?” she asked.
The scholar didn’t have the energy to shake his head. “Princess, I will be honest with you.” He muttered. Loren let go of him and sat close to him instead. “I may die here. You all go on ahead and carry out your mission.”
Loren shook her head. “No, Cassendir. You won’t die. I won’t let any of you die.” She reached for his hand. It was tucked close to his body, covered by furs and Kespian silks. When Loren touched his skin, she gasped. It was colder than the snow around her. “We’ll get out of here soon. I promise you.”
Cassendir sighed heavily and shook his head. He said nothing, but the blue light of his magic wavered. Loren saw, and understood. His magic was all that was keeping
