Page 18 of Blood Beneath the Snow

The murmured words coalesced into a war report: “—finding the Hellbringer,” my father was saying. I tensed, leaning closer. Istill wasn’t sure if the general in my room last night had been a dream, but I hadn’t been able to shake the feeling of hands gently combing through my hair.

Noises of approval echoed through the room. Another voice asked, “What about these reports of the Hellbringer searching for something? And the suggestion that he’s looking for it in our own cities?”

I sucked in a breath. They’d mentioned yesterday that the terrifying general was on the hunt for something, but to be looking for ithere? This was new information entirely.

The king continued smoothly, “He may be searching for something, but if he is in our cities, he will be caught. Our priests are hallowed men, ordained by the pantheon themselves. They have the foresight needed to know where the Hellbringer will strike next.”

I chewed my lip. This all but confirmed it: the man I’d seen yesterday was most certainly the Hellbringer. Was he following me? Why had he observed me as I slept instead of killing me outright? Was I connected to whatever he was looking for?

“And the alliance with Faste? Are those heathens still committed to helping us?” This voice was new, tinged with bitterness.

Father attempted to soothe them. “The alliance solidifies our next move. When the war is won, we will be Faste’s trusted companions. It will provide the best chance for us to proceed with our conquest. Once we have Kryllian under our belt, we can move on to other pursuits.”

A firm hand wrapped around my upper arm and hauled me to my feet. I started, turning, and was met with my mother’s scowl. I winced when her nails dug into my soft flesh, her fingers cold as the ice she commanded with her magic.

“Eavesdropping?” she demanded. “I thought you knew better. Your father will have a word with you later. The delegation will be here any minute. Go wait outside with your brothers.” She shovedme in their direction before opening the council room doors and walking in.

Huffing with indignance, I stomped to the front of the castle and stepped outside to take my place in line next to Björn. The sky was filled with gray clouds and my brothers stood stoically, waiting for the Fastians to arrive.

“You’re late,” Björn observed. “Run into priests on your way home from Halvar’s?”

So he knew. I dug my fingernails into my palms, hoping the pain would distract me. It didn’t work.

“You’re such an ass,” I muttered.

He laughed. “That’s the best you’ve got? You’re off your game today.”

I scowled and forced my hands to my sides. For all I knew, he had been the one to suggest Freja’s arrest. Where was a brutal godtouch when I needed one?

“Don’t worry,” he said. “Soon enough the prince will take you away to Faste and you’ll never have to see any of us again.” His smile was wicked.

I bared my teeth. “Good riddance.”

Björn was suddenly yanked back by a firm hand. Erik. “If you two can’t behave yourselves, then I suppose you need to be separated like children,” he said, his voice dry and unamused. He dragged Björn to the other side of the line and shoved him into place.

I scooted over to make up for the space he’d left behind. Now I stood next to Frode.

He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “How’s your hand?”

My lips tightened into a straight line. “Fine.”

“Are you looking forward to meeting the prince?”

I rolled my eyes. “Drop the pleasantries, Frode. I’m not in the mood.”

“I heard about Freja,” he said. He kept his voice low so Björn wouldn’t overhear. “When are you going to talk to Father?”

“I don’t know,” I said. Without warning, my eyes began to fill with tears. What if I didn’t get the opportunity to talk to him before he rushed me away to be a bride?

Frode put a hand on my back. “Keep the tears in,” he said softly. “Don’t let him break you.”

I took a shaky breath and steadied myself while Frode chatted on, trying to distract me. “I for one am not excited to see the delegation. Fastians don’t know how to keep their thoughts to themselves. They’re soloud. You’ll fit right in.” He rubbed his temple as if he could already hear them.

I chuckled through my shallow breaths. Frode always knew how to make me smile. “If you manage to get away from the fun, take me with you,” I said.

He gave me a sidelong glance. “Not likely, but I’ll do my best.”

We fell silent. I wondered when I would see Arne again. He could tell me how Freja was doing.

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