Page 10 of A Bond of Ice and Glass
“The market’s down there,” Noble says, pointing at the cobbled road. “Are you sure you still want to go? We can turn back if it’s too much for you.”
A tinge of annoyance flares through me. I know he’s just trying to be kind, but his remark rubs me the wrong way. I’m not as weak as he seems to think I am.
As they both seem to think.
Lochlan slides his arm around me before I can say anything. “Quit fussing. Maelena’s made of strong stuff.”
I smile at him, instantly soothed by his reassurance, and let him lead the way to the market. Snow covers the wooden stalls. Droplets splash my body as children race by, chasing after a hoop that rolls through the snow. I wipe my face and smile at the sight of them playing. The noise here is much different. Quieter, less chaotic. Although, there is a lot more foot traffic here, which has resulted in more snow turning into slush. The entireground is covered in it, but no one seems to bother. There’s just less chaos and suffering in this part of the village, and more… enjoyment?
Especially from the children.
They join a group of others standing by a fountain in the middle of the square. They begin to play a game which involves who can throw the hoop over the statue quickest. Neither Lochlan or Noble seem to mind their game, even if it risks damage to the statue.
One of the children slips on the slush. The others laugh at her. I clench my hands at my side and glare at the boys. Something flares inside my chest, warm at first, then it turns cold, like icy tendrils curling around my ribs. It spreads down my arms and into my palms, numbing my fingers.
And then it spillsoutof me, covering the ground in sheets of glittering frost.
Everyone falls silent, as if a blanket has been draped around the square.
Until the frost reaches the fountain, and the water turns to ice, freezing in place. My fingertips tingle, and the smell of magic invades around my senses. Did I just… do that?
I stare at my hands like they belong to someone else. Then, slowly, I lift my gaze back to the fountain, the ice glinting in the sunlight. The children are all cheering and skating after each other. The girl who fell laughs as she picks herself up and follows them. Villagers stare at me, half-startled, half-impressed, and then they clap their hands like I just performed a trick for them.
But it wasn’t a trick. It was magic. I don’t remember learning this. I don’t remember asking for it. So how is it mine?
I look up from my hands to find Lochlan staring at me, his expression a mixture of awe and confusion. That makes two of us. A tutor once told me my family had magic in their blood but that it hadn’t been recorded in over a century.
Does that mean thatIhave magic?
There’s no other way to explain what just happened.
“You did that,” Loch says, so low it nearly vanishes in the excitement.
“I… didn’t know I could,” I say quietly.
“Look how happy they are.”
I follow his gaze to where villagers have joined their children on the ice. A white dog barrels after them. At least, it tries to. The poor creature ends up slipping and spinning on its belly, making the children laugh, before it shakes itself and tries again, its tongue and tail wagging. A young woman waves at me, calling me something I can’t quite make out, before she leads her small child behind her out onto the ice. Whatever she said sounded grateful, like I just gifted the village with something they haven’t had in a long time. A moment of joy in a harsh, unforgiving winter. I just don’t knowhowI did it.
“Maybe I should start calling you ice queen,” Noble says, somewhere behind me. “They love you already.”
I don’t know how to respond. I’m not his queen. I’m not anyone’s queen. Just a girl with frost in her veins and no idea how it got there.
I stare at the ice I’ve created around me, at the joy it’s brought to his people. At least it’s made them happy. From the looks of things, they really needed it.
Lochlan’s arm slides around my waist again. “Still want to look around?”
I shake my head. I suddenly feel tired, like the ice in my veins has melted into exhaustion.
“I think I’ve had enough fresh air for today.”
“You sure?” His palm rubs the small of my back. It’s meant to be a comforting gesture, I know that, but it irritates me. I try to pull away, but his grip tightens. He’s too protective of me sometimes. “We could go ice skating.”
“I just feel a little tired,” I snap at him.
Noble snorts under his breath, joining me. He says nothing.
Lochlan keeps his eyes on me, though something in them shifts.
