Page 29

“I’ll hold you to that. If you don’t come down, I’ll bring the hot chocolate to you.”

“I will not lock you out.” He paused, his tone going from numb to holding just a hint of his wry humor. “The door is incapable of locking right now.”

“Ah, yes. Your brother is very thorough when he rips a door off its hinges.” And, right now, Essie was not in a hurry to ask anyone to fix it. She traced her fingers over the scabs across Farrendel’s hand. “Now, if I go fetch something for dinner, do you think you could muster the energy to wash up and change?”

She would start small. Coax him to eat and take a shower. And hope that, tomorrow, Rheva’s father would be able to help Farrendel.

Because, after all she’d been through fighting across Kostaria, Essie really wanted her Farrendel back.

AKNOCK SOUNDED ontheir door early in the morning on the day Melantha was going to be crowned queen of the trolls. While Melantha tied the belt of her thick wool dress to make it small enough for her, Prince Rharreth strode to the door and opened it.

A troll female with mounds of wool fabric and furs and a satchel bustled inside, followed by another troll female dressed in a leather vest and skirt over wool trousers and fur-lined boots to her knees. She rested her hand on the large sword she had belted at her waist. Her white hair was piled on her head, held back with leather cords and clips that looked like they were fashioned out of bone. Hopefully those were animal bones and not elf bones, though Melantha would not put it past these people.

Prince Rharreth closed the door and gestured to the woman carrying the fur and fabric. “The seamstress is here to provide you with garments suitable for life here in Kostaria. She will also alter a dress so that it will be suitable for the coronation later today.”

The woman bobbed a bow, though her eyes glittered sharp when she straightened.

Melantha nodded to the woman, keeping her expression neutral. Yet another troll who hated her.

“And this is my shield sister Vriska. She will stand guard.” Prince Rharreth gestured at the female troll warrior.

The female troll glared even more fiercely than the seamstress did. Melantha did not like her chances of surviving this fitting.

“I am trusting you to guard her well, Vriska.” Prince Rharreth gave Vriska a stern look.

“I am loyal, my prince and my shield brother. She will not come to harm under my watch.” Vriska held her head high, meeting Prince Rharreth’s gaze without flinching.

Melantha balled her fists, the heat flaring in her chest. This Vriska was everything she had always wished she could be. A warrior. Confident in herself and her abilities. Skilled with a sword and able to defend herself from anyone seeking to do her harm. The kind of warrior Melantha could have been, if she had been born with different magic.

Instead, she had been born with healing magic. If she was attacked, she could not even use her magic to defend herself. She had to be guarded at all times. Helpless and basically worthless here in Kostaria.

Prince Rharreth nodded to Melantha. “I will be back later. I have much to do before the coronation.”

Then, he disappeared out the door, closing it firmly behind him.

Melantha gritted her teeth and worked to keep her serene mask in place. This was how it had been for the past few days. Prince Rharreth seemed to be all attentive and kind...on the surface.