Kiki and I glance at each other. Meaning and something more ripples between us.
I’ve come too close to dying too many times to be overly curious about what’s waiting on the other side of freedom for me. But a hot truth burns inside; I’m crazy about her. I love her—the most dangerous thing of all. There’s so much to lose. I want to keep her safe and I will do anything to make that so...even sacrificing myself if I have to.
Chapter 19
Ineke
I should be sleeping. Instead, I’m processing what we’ve learned. Soren and I stand together by the mouth of the cave. The wind howls, battering the mountain. Snow drifts inside, forming little swirls on the stone floor.
“Do we stand a chance?” I ask Soren.
“I have to believe we do,” Soren says. “Otherwise, I’d just stay here.”
“With the old man in the mountain?” I ask. Hopefully, whatever powers he has don’t include listening in on private conversations. “He kind of reminds me of Mr. Miyagi.”
“Mr. who?” Soren asks.
“He’s a character from this classic movie I’ve seen a few times. I think they did a remake. But there’s this mysterious karate sensei who teaches this kid who’s bullied how to defend himself by doing things like washing cars and painting fences. It was my favorite—actually the reason why I started taking karate. Plus, my mother thought it would be a good way to channel my energy,” I say using air quotes.
“Always a feisty one, then, huh?” Soren asks.
“I made it to red belt.”
“Is that like mage robes?”
“If you mean it signifies achievement then yes. Look, I can even do the crane just like in the movie.” I’m mostly joking around as I try to demonstrate the crane move and slip on the ice underfoot.
Soren grabs my arm and doesn’t let go. I lift my gaze to meet his.
The skin around his eyes colors dark with fatigue, but his eyes shine bright, hopeful as he watches the snow dancing from the sky. That’s what he offers, and maybe that’s what I need.
I grip the charm around my neck. “My mother always used to tell me that each snowflake is unique. I would argue, claiming that some of them had to be the same. After all, there were so many. But she insisted that they weren’t. But if each snowflake is different, you realize that once it melts, it’s gone, lost forever.”
“Not forever,” Soren whispers. “Nothing of value is ever truly lost.” He swallows and his jawline tenses.
“When I was little, I used to play a game, catching snowflakes in my hands and comparing them, seeing if they were the same and then watching how long they’d last before melting.” I hold out my bare palms, demonstrating. Cold bumps rise on my skin as the silver-white flakes continue to land.
He takes my hand in his, holding tight. I take it as a promise that whatever comes, he won’t let go. “You’re so cold,” he says with a shiver.
But he is too. “We can keep each other warm.”
His arms wrap around me and he pulls me close. I loop my arms around him in return. His breath whispers across my neck. Then his lips brush against my cheek.
The sensation sends a crackling through me and I curl into him. I want to return the gentle kiss, but Vespertine’s dark shape flows into the entrance.
He moves like liquid in the cloak surrounding his lean figure. “There’s an ill wind blowing. We should go inside,” he says, beckoning we follow. “You should rest.”
I can’t. Whether it’s because of wonder, curiosity, or frustration, my mind won’t stop.
Soren’s eyes flit to me. “I have a question. Can you tell us more about Kiki’s fae powers and her dreams?”
“That’s two questions with many answers,” Vespertine replies.
“Try to simplify it for us. We came all this way with the intention of helping the people of Raven’s Landing, but all you’ve given us are cryptic answers that lead to more questions,” Soren says, tossing his hands in the air and mimicking the way I feel.
Vespertine sighs. “I intended to do so after you’d slept and were refreshed. It’s a lot to take in, but you’re both too stubborn for your own good.”
Soren and I exchange a glance.
“Come and sit.”
Soren paces over and thumps down on the bench by the fire, resting his elbows on his knees, and wringing his hands.
“Yes, Kiki you are fae, at least in part.”
“If that’s the case, when we return to Raven’s Landing we can’t let you near the king,” Soren says, sliding closer to me. “He’ll try to kill you or worse.”
“I’m not afraid. I’ve handled plenty of demons. This king doesn’t scare me.”
“Then I’ll be afraid for you.” Soren’s tone is grave. “I’ve seen what he does.”
Vespertine interrupts. “The Court of the Fae go back to the beginning. They’re the original bearers of magic.”
“Is that different than a mage’s magic?” I ask.
“Indeed. Mages don’t inherently have magic; we have to come by it. We learn spells and can make potions. I’m tapped into the elements and can sense their power, thereby influencing it, but fae have innate, sometimes called natural, power or magic. And there are many types of fae both Seelie who’re honest above all else and the Unseelie who lean toward trickery
