Page 21 of Frost Bound

The only way forward is through.

With wooden steps, she moved forward and swung around the corner with a smile painted on her face. Lia skidded to a stop as she came face to face with Basil and her brother. She gasped, barely managing to keep the treats on the metal tray.

Basil glared at her. “What are you doing here?” he hissed.

She didn’t answer, and stared at her brother. He was dirty, and thinner than the last time she’d seen him, but he didn’t look broken. His clear gaze didn’t look to be in pain.

“Cosmos?” she whispered.

He swallowed and gave her a lopsided smile. “Hullo, sis.”

She took one step forward to hug him, but Basil held his hand up. “Don’t you dare. There are too many eyes on us right now.”

Lia tore her attention from her brother and peeked around Basil’s arm. Sure enough, two guards were watching the exchange. “Don’t leave the dungeons without me,” she hissed. “I’ll be back soon.”

Basil’s lips thinned, but he gave her a small nod. He pushed past her, towing Cosmos along.

Dahlia put extra sway in her hips as she approached the guards. A little distraction never hurt anybody.

They, too, took goodies from her tray while murmuring thanks and little else. The back of her neck prickled as she walked away from them. Would they call out for her to stop? Could they see right through her ruse? She wanted to run.

Keep slow steps. Don’t speed up.

Lia sighed as she turned the corner and spotted Basil and Cosmos waiting for her in a puddle of darkness. She hustled to meet them. Shoving the tray into Basil’s hands unceremoniously, Dahlia yanked her brother into a hug. Tears sprang into her eyes, and she felt how thin he was. How could he have lost so much weight in so little time?

“Are you okay?” she whispered, pulling back to cup his gaunt cheek.

He laid a dirty hand over her own. “I’m fine, Lia.”

“Did they hurt you?” she asked, scanning him from head to toe, running her hands over his arms and sides, looking for injuries.

“No. Just not enough food.”

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, feeling guilt for all the meals she’d eaten since arriving at the palace. She hugged him again, slipping two silver spoons she’d stolen from her room into his pocket.

Cosmos gave her a half-smile, eyes twinkling. He knew what she’d done. “Not your fault. I only have myself to blame. I’m the one who is sorry.” He eyed her. “Are you okay? How are you here? Please tell me you didn’t make any deals with the Giver.”

She swallowed hard. Lia had done something worse.

“While this is all touching,” Basil bit out softly, holding the tray out, “we don’t have time for this reunion. We need to get him out of the palace before the window closes.”

Dahlia glanced at him before snatching a treat off the tray and giving it to her brother. He stuffed the whole thing in his mouth. “You were never going to let me see him.”

The older man rolled his eyes. “Would you rather have seen him or known he was safe?” He huffed out an irritated sigh. “Say your goodbyes.Later, we’ll be discussing your actions when you’ve gotten back to your rooms.”

Basil stepped away, giving them some semblance of privacy.

Lia clutched her brother’s cold hands and lowered her voice. “Go visit Viro. Make sure you lose Basil’s escort, and do not go anywhere near Wicked. Keep your head down. The Giver will be looking for you once he realizes you’re gone.” She paused, waiting until her brother nodded. “I have a little coin and your medicine hidden in our room at Viro’s inn. Take it and leave the city. Head north to Lantium. You can find work in the maple fields.”

“I know,” he whispered. “You’ve had me memorize our escape route since we arrived in Florrant. Where will you meet up with me?”

Her throat tightened. “You’ll be on your own for awhile. It will take me some time to catch up. Play your music. Earn coin, and move on quickly.”

“No.” Cosmos shook his head. “We stay together. We’ve never left each other behind.” His voice cracked.

She gave him a brittle smile. While she planned on disappearing once the envoy passed the Loriian border, anything could go wrong. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll catch up in a few weeks. You’ll hardly even know I’m gone.”

Cosmos glared at her. “You’re not telling me everything.”

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