Page 98

Melantha sank onto her hands and knees again and crawled through the snow tunnel. Inside, the snow hill was hollow with a domed ceiling and a flat, packed-snow floor. While the floor still seeped cold through her clothing, it felt warmer sheltered from the wind as it was.

A clatter sounded as Rharreth pushed her skis and poles inside, then his own skis and poles. Finally, he pushed his pack ahead of him as he crawled inside. Once inside, he closed the opening until it was only a small hole to let in air so that they would not suffocate. Then he removed the layer of ice from his face by turning it into snow and whirling it away with his magic.

He began to unbuckle the straps holding his pack closed, and Melantha reached out shaking hands to help. He shook his head, his fingers still swift and sure despite the cold. “No, rest. I got this.”

Melantha curled against the side of the snow wall, tucking her hands inside her sleeves to try to warm up her fingers.

Rharreth pulled several furs from the pack, along with a thick, woolen blanket. He spread the furs on the floor, then took off his snow-covered outer parka and fur-lined pants until he was down to his wool tunic and trousers. He sat on the furs as he tugged his pack within reach. “Come.”

She did not need any urging. She shivered harder as she shucked her outer layer, sitting on the furs to take off her boots without touching the snow with her woolen stockings. Since the red hat had been protected by the parka hood, she left it on to keep the top of her head and tips of her ears warm. Then she slid under the blanket and burrowed next to Rharreth, his body warming hers.

He reached over her and whisked away the snow from their outer clothing with his magic. When the parkas and fur-lined pants were free of snow, he spread all of it on top of them, and Melantha relaxed under the added layer of warmth.

Leaning over her still more, he grabbed the pack she had set aside, digging around until he pulled out one of the leather-wrapped packets of food. As he folded back the layers, revealing a loaf of fresh bread, Melantha’s stomach rumbled and gurgled. Rharreth grinned down at her and held out the loaf. “We burned a lot of energy today, between keeping warm and all the exertion.”

Tucked against him, that seemed like something almost romantic to say, even if it was just a fact about how they needed to keep up their strength.

She tore half the bread from the loaf, then tucked all but her one hand under the blanket as she ate. “How far do you think we have come?”

“Not as far as it seemed since the blizzard slowed our progress. If the weather lets up, we should make better time, especially once your muscles get used to the travel.” Rharreth settled in behind her, wrapping his free hand around her waist.

She relaxed against the hard warmth of his chest, tucking her feet against his leg to warm her toes. Once she polished off her bread, she tucked both hands under the blanket and let her eyes fall closed, trying to ignore the ache in her leg muscles.

Rharreth had been right. This was cozier and warmer than she had expected. Heaving a deep sigh, she let herself drift off to sleep as the blizzard howled around their snow shelter.

ESSIE LAUGHED as Farrendelall but dragged her by her hand down the slush-covered street toward the Aldon Market. He was walking so fast that all of the guards except for Iyrinder were trotting to keep up. “Slow down! The market isn’t going anywhere.”

Farrendel eased his pace, glancing over his shoulder at her with the most sheepish grin she had ever seen on his face. “Sorry.”

“I know, I know. You’re just a little eager to see the magical engineering fair.” Essie shook her head and fell into a much more comfortable stroll now that Farrendel had slowed down. “But it will still be there whether we get there in one minute or in five.”

Around them, wet snow, melting in the winter sun beaming down on a cloudless day, piled along the edges of the street and slid from porch roofs onto the heads of those passing by. The street was covered with two inches of slush that sprayed onto those walking on the sidewalks every time a carriage rumbled past.

The sun was only a brief reprieve from winter. Clouds were gathering on the northwestern horizon, showing that another round of snow and cold was on its way for that evening.

A few of the people passing by stopped to wave or stare, and Essie made sure she gave them a smile and wave in return. Thanks to the surrounding guards—or perhaps the swords that Farrendel was wearing with their hilts visible above his elven cloak—most people gave them plenty of space.