Page 21 of Wings of Snow

“And your father will punish the queen so severely for your actions that she may be permanently marred, even injured beyond repair,” Ryder added.

My jaw worked. “I know. I’ve already considered that, but I’ll find a way to prevent that from happening.”

“And the Solis citizens may see your actions as being entirely despicable, since it flounces their beloved king’s new law enacting the Olirum Accords in his face. They may demand your head for it.”

Nish rolled his eyes. “Truly, Ryder, such a ray of sunshine you are.”

Ryder shrugged. “Just making sure our prince is prepared for whatever comes.”

Magic simmered along my limbs, and the wall vibrated behind me. “I appreciate your council, Ryder.” Of all my guards, the long-haired fairy had the most cunning mind. “I’m aware of all of that, but the citizens also know that Ilara is my mate. Those who were present after the first test saw us kiss, and they felt our bond. I plan to use that knowledge to my advantage. Even Crimsonale was sympathetic to our plight at the last council meeting. Once word spreads that I rejected the king’s command to marry Georgyanna because Ilara’s my mate, I’m hoping they’ll understand.”

Ryder inclined his head. “True. You’re probably right in that aspect.”

“So now what?” Nish propped his elbow against the wall of weapons. “How do we find Ilara?”

I smiled and the mate bond rumbled inside me. “We search every possible place she could have gone, and we start with her village.”

Ryder laughed. “Surely, she wasn’t foolish enough to have gone home.”

I smirked. “Of course not, but the king will still search there. I’m not naïve enough to think he hasn’t already sent other search parties to hunt for her. He knows I have the best chance of finding her, but he won’t leave it just to me. He doesn’t trust me enough to reliably do his bidding, not with Ilara being my mate.”

“So why are we going to her village?” Sandus asked.

“To fuck with the king.” My lips curved in a malicious smile. “Ilara’s village archon may have abused her, but she told me the rest of her village fae had grown loyal to her. If they know the court is hunting her with the intention of hurting her, and they learn that I’m her mate and I’m trying to keep her safe, they’ll do what they can to thwart the king’s attempts.”

Nish laughed. “They can send the king’s fae off on a wild goose chase.”

I grinned. “With any luck, yes.”

* * *

The five ofus mistphased to the heart of Ilara’s village. The second we appeared, a shriek reached my ears, and a female with a young child scurried out of the way. She disappeared behind a shop before I could tell her that we hadn’t come to apprehend anyone.

My guards surveyed the remaining fae with annoyed glares as the villagers fled from the central area.

Nish kicked at the snow crusted on the street. “How are we supposed to convince any of them that we’re here on Ilara’s behalf if they’re all running from us?”

“Perhaps if you tamed that scowl of yours, they’d be more inclined to listen.” Haxil patted his shoulder.

Nish curled his lip at him. “I’m not scowling.”

Sandus patted Nish’s other shoulder. “You are. ’Tis how you usually appear, so perhaps today, you can do your best to seem more cheerful.”

The twisting of Nish’s mouth into what he probably thought was a smile was so hideous that I would have laughed if this visit wasn’t so serious.

Since it was, I ignored his attempt and strode down the street, intent on reaching the fields just beyond the town’s borders.

“According to what Ilara’s told me,” I called to my guards over my shoulder, “if anyone in her village is able to spread word fast and keep the tongues wagging, it’s the two cooks that serve the laborers each day—Evis and Krisil. She said they’re the biggest gossips this side of the Gielis Mountains and are constantly in everyone’s business.”

Snowflakes flew in the sky and covered all the roofs in white as my guards followed me. Seeing the simple shops and single lane running down the village reminded me of the humbleness of Ilara’s upbringing. It was very similar to my mother’s.

Several shops we passed had small fires roaring inside, and smoke curled from the chimneys. Burning wood scents drifted in the air along with the distant crops’ blossoms tinging the breeze. It smelled of health and life. It smelled of my mate.

I continued toward the barn as the mate bond billowed inside me—the strength of it aching so strongly that I nearly roared in frustration at everything that’d been done.

Cold air nipped my skin when we rounded the final turn to the field barn. The brisk wind increased, turning frigid, once the shops no longer provided protection against the elements.

I called upon my air affinity and created a protective Shield around us. The wind died, and the silver strands of my hair that had been whipping around my face settled on my shoulders.

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