Page 29 of A Tale of Ice and Ash
Eirwen shook her head. “It might seem benign, but I’m not sure. You could do a lot of damage if you could wear anyone’s face. I’m not sure that sort of power belongs in the world.”
Cole stared at her. How was she still sogood,this girl that had lost everything? If he was in her position, he would have mastered that trinket, stolen into the palace, made himself look like a servant and delivered a drink in that cup to the one he thought responsible for the attempted murder and the loss of her former life.
“What? What is it?”
“Just thinking about how fundamentally different we are.”
“Oh, like how I’m a great person and you’re not?”
Cole looked down. “Yes.”
Eirwen pushed her hair behind her ear, her shoulders sloping uncomfortably. He’d made her feel awkward. He searched for something to say, but a sharp tapping penetrated the air, and a dwarf with a sour face and a wooden leg appeared at the cellar door.
“Still here, boy?”
“Umm, yes sir–”
“Eira! Why are you showing the boy our loot?”
“I hardly think he’s going to steal it. He has a vault of treasure at his disposal.”
“I do,” said Cole readily, “I could swim in it, if I wanted to. Although, you know, a lot of it belongs to you.”
“Me?” Eirwen blinked.
“You are the legitimate heir to the throne, or you will be, once you turn eighteen. Your birthday is only a couple of months away, isn’t it?”
“I, er… I… I don’t…”
“What?”
“I don’t want it. I never thought… it doesn’t matter.”
Cole shrugged. “Oh well, I suppose I don’t need to worry about you killing me in my sleep to cement your claim.”
A wry smile glittered in the corner of her mouth. He wished you could tug on a smile, like he’d once tugged on her braids.
“Try not to tempt me,” she said.
Onyx banged against the roof with his cane. “Come on. Be off with you. Your wound should be healed enough by now.”
“Yes, sir.” Cole nodded, shuffling out of the space, taking care not to leave his back exposed to the dwarf. His eyes were like daggers. “T-thank you, for your hospitality.”
Onyx snorted, and hobbled off back to the house.
Eirwen grinned, following after Cole. “He’s like that with everyone. I think I’ve had five smiles off him since I got here. But he’s a sweetheart deep down. Deep, deep, deep down.”
Garnet met them in the yard with a small packet of food. “For the journey back, pet,” she said, handing it to Cole. “Wouldn’t want you to get hungry.”
“Thank you, that’s very kind.”
Two dwarf children peered out from behind her skirts. The girl giggled. He waved back, causing her to blush furiously.
Eirwen looked good with a blush…
She pulled his elbow, pointing him in the direction of the short bridge over the stream. “Do you know your way back?”
“I think so. Pretty sure. If I get lost, I’ll just have to turn around and come back to you.”
