Page 79 of Enchanted By a Pirate
Anna paled. She pulled the hood over her head as casually as possible. The trader didn't notice and continued with his explanation without stopping.
"Of course, it also has to do with the cursed pirate who sailed into the air and ignited the giants' ire. If I get my hands on those two, they'll be in for something, believe me. But they say that fairy disappeared, as all the others did. I haven't seen one in years."
Anna glanced at Chris, who waggled his hand at her to keep calm. If the merchant had recognized them, he would not have offered them a ride in his cart and spoken to them so freely.
"I think the Snow Queen had a hand in it. Too many coincidences, if you ask me." The merchant continued his accusations until they reached the city walls. He made baseless assumptions that weren't helpful at all. Still, it was significant that they weren't the only ones who were suspicious of the Snow Queen.
From up top on the wagon bench, the guards at the gate didn't even give them a second glance. They examined the goods under the tarp and let them pass without any problem — no wonder, given the rush and how many people were coming andgoing. Relieved, Anna squeezed Chris's hand as he stood up a few yards past the city gate.
"Thank you, sir, it was very kind of you. But now we have to move on."
"Already? It's a shame, have fun and remember…" The merchant put his finger meaningfully to his lips. He didn't want them to betray him and his theories.
Chris nodded and jumped off the cart. Then he held out his hand to Anna and she hopped down. The coat swung up and showed her bare legs and the lace of the leafy dress for a moment. The trader stared at her in disbelief and Chris quickly pulled her away. The street was so busy that they could easily blend into the crowd, and the merchant on his cart moved on even more slowly than before. He called after them, but they didn't wait to hear his words and hurried on.
The cityscape was filled with brick buildings densely packed together. Thankfully, it was significantly warmer than outside the walls due to the large number of people and the houses standing close together. And the numerous buildings and the thick city walls kept out the icy wind that had hit them during their journey.
Anna left her coat open but made sure her leafy dress didn't peek out. Chris pulled them onward without stopping, avoiding the main traffic areas. He led her down one side street after the other and seemed to know his way around well.
"Have you been here often?"
"A few times. That's why we're avoiding Ice Street. It's the main thoroughfare. It leads directly to the Ice Palace, but I know a few secret routes."
As he led her, she noticed the buildings. There were far fewer shops on the side streets than the main one, and more apartments and workshops. Nevertheless, she discovered one or two shoemakers, tailors, weavers, and rope makers. Chris's pacewas too fast for Anna to look around comfortably. Although curiosity drove her to examine everything, she understood his concern about being recognized if they stayed in one spot for too long.
"Do you want a new hairstyle, dear lady?" the owner of a hair salon called after her, pointing to the hood that she had donned to protect herself from the trader's prying eyes. Anna shook her head and hurried onward with the captain. When he abruptly stopped, she looked around quickly. Had they been discovered?
Chris had pulled her behind a large cart standing at the intersection of the main road and was pointing ahead. As she followed his gesture with her eyes, she was amazed.
In front of them was a huge square, at least the size of five or six soccer fields. It was surrounded by trees glittering with frost flowers and ornate, old-fashioned lanterns made of cast iron with thick candles burning inside. And in the middle rose the Ice Palace.
It was several stories high and its smooth, shimmering surface was made entirely of ice. How was that possible? The sun was shining directly on it and not a drop of water rolled off the elaborately decorated ice towers, the ice statues, or ice crystals embellishing the facade.
"Why isn't it melting?" As she stood in awe in front of the fairytale-like building, her voice was merely a whisper. Made entirely of ice. How was that possible?
"It is magic."
"Is she that powerful?" Anna gasped. How were they supposed to bring the Snow Queen to justice or stop her from continuing to let the fairies die if this woman was capable of such powerful magic?
"Look!" He pointed to a double-winged gate, next to which two guards were standing at attention. "The main entrance is there. As you see, some people can enter."
Her heart started to beat faster. "And through it, we enter the palace, even though we aren't residents of their country?"
"Aye, it's simply a matter of how confidently we go in." He looked at her first with scrutiny, then tenderness. "Are you ready, Ani?"
Not for a moment did he consider leaving her behind. He didn't even ask if she dared do it or if she would rather hide. And she didn't want that either. Despite the alarm bells ringing inside her that she was going into the proverbial lion's den, she nodded. She had to go with him. She needed to find out what had happened back then. It was her duty. She alone could stop the fairies from dying.
"I'm ready."
"Stay close to me. We'll make it."
She smiled at him, squeezed his hand, and then together, they left their hiding place behind the cart and strolled to the gate of the Ice Palace as if it were the most common thing in the world.
30
Nobody stopped them, and nobody shouted, "Grab the fairy and pirate!" Nobody blocked their way. Anna almost wished for it, but at the same time she wanted nothing more than to finally find out the truth. What had happened back then? Why were her memories gone? And who had banished her to the non-magical world and then brought her back years later?
As they stepped across the threshold, she felt a tingle. Was that the magic of the palace? The Snow Queen?
