Page 36 of A Tale of Ice and Ash
“Tried to have me killed? Yes. Luckily her chosen assassin had a change of heart.”
“The Huntsman?” Niamh guessed.
Eirwen nodded.
“I always wondered… he never seemed to have the heart for such a thing, but he’s served her for years since–”
“He let me go. I was taken in by a family of dwarves and I’ve been living in the forests ever since, but when I heard that… that she…”
Niamh paled. “You saw.”
“I saw.”
Footsteps crunched across the path outside. “Niamh?” said a voice. Masculine, sharp. Cole. “Niamh, are you around? I need–”
“Hide!” hissed Niamh, gesturing to a nearby pile, “Quickly! If he sees you–”
“It’s all right.”
“What do you mean? If–”
Cole turned the corner into the room, stopping suddenly. “Snow,” he said. “I didn’t think you’d–”
Cold, white anger uncoiled inside her. “I had to see how bad things were for myself.”
“And what’s the verdict?”
“You stood there,” Eirwen said. “You stood there by her side while she–”
“Weallstood there. Including you.”
“I couldn’t do anything–”
“And neither can I!”
“You are herson.You think she would hurt you if you–”
“I really have no idea what my mother would do if I stood against her, and I don’t particularly want to find out.”
“You could just talk to her–”
“You think I haven’t tried that? You think that isn’t the first thing I tried, before resorting to magical jewellery? She won’t listen. She’s beyond listening.”
“I… I can’t let her do this anymore.”
“Yes, I rather suspected that would be the case,” said Cole, his face dark and pained. “So what are you going to do?”
Eirwen dropped her gaze. “I can’t tell you.”
“Of course you can’t,” he snapped, his eyes narrow.
“I’m sorry,” Niamh interrupted, “but what’s going on here? How does the prince know you’re alive?”
“It’s a long story,” said Eirwen. “But it’s a recent revelation.”
Cole shook his head. “You should leave. If anyone but the two of us catches you here–”
“He’s right,” said Niamh shortly. “Come. I’ll escort you to the gates, in case anyone gives you trouble.” She bobbed her head. “Your Highness.”
