Winter Spell

by Claire M Banschbach

  August slept in the bed closest to the door, curled up under a pile of blankets. Color had finally started coming back to his cheeks, but the occasional shiver still wracked his body.

  Dorian lay in the other bed, his back to the door. Blankets had been tucked up around him, not quite hiding the bandages wrapped around his muscular torso. His right wing lay folded up neatly against his back. The left draped over his side and arm, the rips skillfully repaired.

  She stepped around the bed, just wanting to make sure he was all right before she left. His eyes slowly blinked open. She froze, caught between wanting to stay and wanting to run. The last time they’d actually been face to face, she’d been pulling ice from his blood.

  A faint smile creased his cheeks.

  “How are you?” she whispered, scooting a stool closer to the bed to sit.

  “Fine.” He shifted his wing with a slight flash of discomfort and slid his hand toward her. She pressed her hand over his, and then somehow, he was holding her hand with their fingers twined together.

  “How are you?”

  “Fine,” she teased. His smile grew a little. She sobered. “Today wasn’t really though.”

  He tilted his head inquisitively. Tonya bit back a sigh. He wouldn’t have heard.

  “They held the trial for Steinn.”

  His grip tightened over hers for a moment. “What happened?”

  “My parents told their entire story. It was awful. He turned my father into his bear form and made him forget everything, except for a tiny memory of my mother to spend the rest of his days searching for her without really knowing why.”

  She blinked several times. Watching her parents’ faces during the trial had been one of the hardest things about the day.

  “Then he caught my mother when she came looking for Father, and trapped her in the ice prison.”

  A sob hitched over her words and she took a breath to steady herself. “Diane and I had to tell everything that happened.”

  “Someone came and talked to both of us yesterday to get the full story of his ambush.” Dorian shifted a little, wincing again as his wing moved.

  “They read the account out loud. It was awful to hear it.”

  “We’re fine.” He brushed his thumb over the back of her hand.

  “Now you are,” she retorted. “You both could have died! And you, giving so much of your magic to August!”

  The corners of his eyes crinkled, destroying any sort of irritation.

  “What was the final decision?”

  “Some other faeries admitted to helping him. Steinn didn’t deny anything and didn’t show any regret for what he’d done. They declared him Draugur and banished him to the crevasses in the north until he repents of what he did.”

  Another involuntary shudder cut through her. Steinn hadn’t looked apologetic at all, and took his punishment with a strange sort of eagerness.

  Sadness creased Dorian’s face. “It’s all right to hope that he’ll turn back.”

  Tonya sniffed. Somehow, he’d managed to find the reason for the lingering bits of sadness again.

  “My father is banished,” Dorian said. “I still tell myself that I hate him for everything he did, but some part of me doesn’t want him to die here.”

  She moved her other hand to press over his. “And that’s all right, too.”

  He glanced away, clearing his throat.

  “So now what?” His voice noticeably lightened.

  She lifted her hand to push away the strands of her mismatched hair. “Father has been teaching me a little bit more about my magic. Tomorrow we’re going to go to the Strait so we can clear some of the ice across the water.”

  Tremors shook her stomach. She’d worried incessantly that she wouldn’t be able to recreate the way she’d broken the ice. But her parents’ and Diane’s unfailing optimism had managed to keep her anxiety slightly at bay.

  She’d been told that she wasn’t to clear more than a few miles so as not to drain herself of magic. They’d begin a more regimented clearing once they began the journey back south.

  “I should go with you tomorrow.” He shifted as if ready to sit up and ride right then.

  Tonya shook her head. “No. You need to keep regaining your magic.”

  His mouth quirked in a displeased frown, but he didn’t argue. A small miracle.

  “You’re coming back here right after?”

  A small laugh teased her chest. “Yes. And my father and Lilja and about ten other faeries are going with us, so we’ll be perfectly safe.”

  He settled back down with a satisfied look. She stared down at their entwined hands. The sight seemed to say the things that hadn’t been said yet. That she’d wanted to wait to say until her magic was free.

  But it didn’t feel right to not say it.

  “Dorian,” she began slowly. He tilted his head against the pillow to better regard her. She swallowed, suddenly nervous.

  “I—you saw me when no one else tried to.” His smile started to form around his eyes. “After I break all the ice, my parents and I are going to the southern ocean. My mother wants to see home again. You—you could come with us, if you want.”

  Her words stumbled and tripped as if slipping across ice.

  It wasn’t really what she wanted to say, but she didn’t quite know what those words were supposed to be yet. Or maybe just afraid that there might not be enough room in her heart for both him and her parents.

  He gently squeezed her hand again.

  “I’d like that,” he said simply.

  Tonya smiled. He wouldn’t push, just wait for her to find room for everyone.

  A knock announced Diane as the princess leaned into the room. She wiggled her eyebrows at the sight of Tonya sitting with Dorian. Tonya flushed but didn’t jerk her hand away. Diane stepped over to August first, gently nudging his shoulder.

  “Why?” August grumbled.

  Another smile flickered around Dorian’s eyes.

  “I volunteered to come see if you two felt up to coming to dinner tonight?”

  The blankets shifted and August emerged, sitting up against the carved headboard. “Food might help me forgive you for waking me up.”

  Diane tipped her head back with an exaggerated sigh. “How much longer are you two going to sleep?”

  “Forever, if those two keep whispering to each other.” August crossed his arms with a mock scowl.

  Tonya wrinkled her nose back. Her flush didn’t come as bright this time. Dorian rolled his eyes and released her hand to push himself up. Once upright, he let his uninjured wing stretch for a long moment. She resisted the urge to brush her hand along its soft surface.

  “How’s your wing?” Concern lined August’s face as he looked to Dorian.

  Dorian gingerly shifted his patched left wing. “They told me I’d likely have to be forever careful how I use it, but it’s healing.”

  Tonya slid her hand to press around his where it rested on the blankets. It wouldn’t have happened but for her.

  “So, dinner?” Diane clasped her hands hopefully.

  Dorian rolled his eyes a little. “I think so.”

  Diane stifled a squeal and bounced on her toes. Tonya wasn’t the only one who frowned her direction.

  “You seem unreasonably excited for a meal,” August said suspiciously.

  Diane tilted her nose in the air. “Food happens to be a passion of mine.”

  “Since when?” Dorian asked.

  “Since now.” Diane tossed her hands in exasperation. “Just get your wings down to the dining hall, will you?”

  “Fine!” August made a shooing motion at her.

  She beckoned to Tonya and yanked her from the room. She shut the door and hopped up and down twice more with a laugh.

  “What is happening?” Tonya tugged at Diane’s sleeve.

  “Absolutely nothing.” But Diane’s grin belied her words. She pushed Tonya farther from the boys’ door. “All right. It’s a bit of a surprise dinner in
our honor. Don’t say anything!”

  “I think you’ve already spoiled it.” Tonya smirked, dancing back a few steps as Diane jabbed a finger at her with an expression of mock outrage.

  “Come on, we have to go change.” Diane grabbed her hand again and pulled her into their room. A new dress lay across Tonya’s bed, blue bodice and full skirt trimmed in stitched polar bears.

  “Your mother snuck in here with it a bit ago.” Diane came to stand next to her. Tonya brushed a finger over the patterns stitched into the waistline. Her parents had stolen as much of her time as they could, and she’d been more than happy to let them. They knew most of the truth now about what her life had been, and she’d hated the anger and sorrow mixing in their eyes.

  But seeing them together, the hugs and smiles bestowed on her, more than made up for it.

  Her grandparents—at least her grandmother—had been happy to meet her. Another thing Steinn had lied about. He’d deliberately kept them apart in the days before they’d left for the Lights.

  Tonya shuddered a sigh. She wouldn’t change anything she had now, but over the past two days she’d had the urge to crawl under her blankets and just hide and wonder at it all for a few hours.

  Diane nudged her shoulder, bringing her back to the dress. She was Ísbjörn. She could wear it with pride.

  They washed and dressed, Diane fussing a little more with Tonya’s hair than she thought was strictly necessary.

  “I’m just going to leave it down.” Tonya finally pushed her hands away.

  “Just hold on!” Diane took a small comb and used it to tuck some of the hair away from her face. “Perfect.”

  Tonya didn’t understand the fuss until she stepped back out and felt Dorian’s eyes on her again. He seemed almost—nervous to see her.

  Tonya flushed and glanced down at the ground.

  “Thank you.” She squeaked a whisper to Diane.

  “You’re welcome,” Diane whispered back in a light laugh before moving past to straighten August’s collar. She smoothed the fabric over Dorian’s shoulders next.

  “Honestly, don’t you two know how to dress?” she chided.

  “If we knew what we were dressing for, maybe we would.” August leaned back as she reached for his collar again.

  Diane just moved to the door, opening it with a flourish and ushering them into the hallway. They made their way slowly down the stairs and through the wide corridors until they reached the closed doors of the dining hall.

  The two guards pushed the doors open in response to Diane’s imperious wave. Crowded tables laden with platters of food came into view. Tonya immediately sought out her parents, standing at the head table along with Birgir and Lilja and her grandparents.

  Cheers broke out as Diane led the way into the hall. August came up short.

  “Diane…?” he gritted around a frozen smile.

  “You’ll be fine.” Diane tugged at his arm.

  Dorian stood just as still and uncomfortable as August. Tonya reached out and took his hand. He looked down at her and a smile eased its way forward.

  She led him forward to the four empty chairs at the head table.

  “I really didn’t do anything special besides get frozen.” Tonya caught August’s muttered complaints to Diane.

  “Just smile.” Diane prodded her elbow into his side.

  “I pity Ralf, I really do,” he retorted.

  She reached up to cuff his head, ignoring the horrified looks the younger female faeries gave her. Tonya grinned. Diane was stirring up sympathy for August, intentionally or not. He likely wouldn’t lack for any admirers later.

  Freyr and Thalia both reached out to August and Dorian as they arrived at the head table.

  “So glad to see you both up.” Thalia smiled, squeezing their hands.

  They settled into seats and the feast began with the ring of the great bell.

  “Tonya said you’re going across the Strait tomorrow.” Dorian turned to Freyr.

  Tonya’s father nodded. “Not far. We’ll clear a little of the ice and then come back. Birgir didn’t want us going too far the first time.”

  She smiled into her glass at the agreement that showed plain on Dorian’s face. A smile tugged the corner of Freyr’s mouth.

  “Don’t worry. I’ve already been assured that anything after that will include the two of you.”

  “You can bet your life on that, sir,” August spoke up from piling food on his plate.

  “Slow down,” Diane chided.

  “All right, Mother. You’re one to talk.” August looked pointedly at Diane’s own overflowing plate. She pursed her lips back, and dug in.

  “I like them.” Thalia leaned close to whisper to Tonya. “I like them all.” She glanced to Dorian.

  Tonya smiled shyly back. “Me too.”

  Thalia squeezed her hand. “Is he coming with us?”

  A flush warmed Tonya’s cheeks as she nodded.

  “Good,” her mother said, and freed Tonya’s hand to allow her to begin eating.

  The feasting stretched late into the night, long enough for the Lights to dance and shine through the clear ice panes in the ceiling, bathing the hall in the brightly-colored hues of the Creator’s love.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Diane stood a little taller in the stirrups, shielding her eyes from the bright summer sun as she searched, again, for any sign of Chelm’s red shale rooftops in the distance. Disappointed, she sank back into the saddle.

  “We’re getting close.” August trotted beside her on Niko.

  “That’s what you said three miles ago.” Diane glared back. “I’ve been remarkably patient the last few days, so I think I’m allowed today.”

  They’d left Konungburg two days after the feast, Dorian and August declaring themselves well enough to start traveling. Birgir lent them the caribou that had found their way back home again, a guard of six soldiers captained by Lilja, and supplies, and sent them on their way.

  They’d been traveling for almost a week, cutting a diagonal path across Durne this time, and striking into Calvyrn to break the ice, before turning back into Myrnius. The border had been empty, except for a lone wolf that came and stood at a distance to watch Tonya and her father break the ice.

  It howled once and August lifted a hand in a wave before it ran away in a dark brown streak towards Lagarah Lake. She’d already decided to try to ask Lord Darek about it next time she saw him.

  Now, three days later, Tonya had freed the last bits of Myrnius from the grip of the ice. Weeks ago, they’d set out over snow and ice-covered hills. Now they returned over lush green coated in wildflowers that seemed none the worse for the wear for having been trapped under ice.

  Diane’s patience vanished with the warmth of the summer breeze and she stood in the stirrups once again, drawing a huff from Raakel as she continued on in her clicking gait.

  There! Symmetric red roofs and the bulky ruins of the castle spread over the hills.

  She kicked Raakel up to a gallop, unable to wait any longer.

  Bells rang out as guards noted their approach. Gathering crowds cheered and shouted welcome once she was recognized, forcing her to slow Raakel back down to a walk. Townsfolk and soldiers and even faeries parted to make way for the strange animal and the unfamiliar faeries who had finally begun to catch up with her.

  But Diane didn’t pay any attention. She pushed Raakel on to the manor house, searching the crowds for a face that she hoped would already be trying to meet her there.

  She reined in, sliding from the saddle and starting for the door. Maybe Matilde would know where he was.

  “Diane!”

  She whirled to find Ralf pushing his way through the crowd. He stumbled to a halt, staring at her, checking her over in the short, quick glances that meant he was trying to make sure she was all right and not hurt in any way.

  Diane lunged into a run, slamming into his arms and burying her face in his tunic. He folded his arms around her, pressing his lips
against the top of her head.

  “You’re back,” he said softly.

  She pulled back a little. The words she’d rehearsed over and over for the last few days stuck in her throat. She moved her hands up to his collar and tugged him forward into her kiss. Once he got over his surprise, he did a thorough job of kissing her back.

  They finally parted, a little breathless. He cupped her cheek in one hand.

  “I’ve been wanting to do that awhile now,” he admitted, a little sheepishly.

  She smiled up at him. “Sorry I’m so oblivious.”

  “I think I’ll forgive you.”

  “I’m a little offended that I had to wait for a hug,” Edmund broke in.

  Diane turned in Ralf’s arms to see her brother standing with hands on hips, but a ridiculous smile stretched across his face. It made him look years younger and more carefree than she’d seen in a long time. Ralf released her, and she ran into Edmund’s arms.

  “Told you we’d break the ice,” she murmured.

  He held her tightly. “So you did.” His voice tightened oddly for a moment. “I was worried about you. I’m glad you’re back.”

  Diane stepped back. “Worried? I was only in mortal peril most of the time.”

  A sort of strangled noise came from Ralf and she smirked at him.

  “I agree.” Edmund nodded to Ralf. “I want to hear everything, starting with what on the Creator’s good earth is that?” He pointed to the caribou still standing patiently on the cobblestones. “And who are they and how many places to sleep do we need to find?”

  He turned next to the ice faeries who gathered around Tonya and her parents.

  Diane giggled, and looped her arm in his. “Don’t worry, I’ll help.”

  But Edmund gently detached her arm. “I know you don’t want to be holding my hand right now,” he said and nudged her toward Ralf.

  She opened her mouth to protest, but Ralf beat her to it.

  “Edmund, I—” His face took on a slightly panicked look.

  Edmund rolled his eyes. “Ralf, you’re the only one who can keep up with her. And one of the few I’d trust to look after her.” Reluctant understanding showed in the upwards pull of his mouth.