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They arrived at the entrance to a hut made of varying-sized timbers and pine thatching, and he led her beneath the cloth that covered the door without bothering to announce himself.

“Thaddius? Wha–” A female stood from her pallet on the ground.

“Annika,” Thaddius greeted her. “I– I am sorry, but…”

“This is her then,” Annika said in the absence of any explanation for entering her home unannounced. She was older. Her hair had streaks of silver that in no way resembled Thaddius’. Her face was delicately lined by the hand of time, her stature still impeding in the space. She stood tall and frowned at Farra, shaking her head slightly. “Please, do not ask it of me, Thaddius.”

The Glacian looked contrite. “I must.”

Annika scoffed harshly. “Take her where she belongs, you fool! You brought her to that fucking palace;youhelp her find safety.”

“I will,” Thaddius vowed. “But not yet. There are dozens of brutes swarming the slopes as we speak, hunting. There will be dozens more tomorrow. I cannot simply whisk her away without being seen. I need time to plan. I need to be careful.”

“You need a knee to the crotch,” Annika added, rubbing her forehead. “What trouble you’ve brought upon yourself, Thaddius, and now me.”

“I only need you to keep her safe for a week. Perhaps two. We were not seen leaving the palace.”

“Thaddius, I–”

“Please!”he implored, his neck tensing with the force of his urgency. “Please,” he said again, only this time his tone was tempered. He seemed to be making a great effort to calm himself. “You’re the only one I trust with her.”

Annika stared at him for a moment. “You went and fell in love, didn’t you?”

Farra flinched, but turned in time to see Thaddius nod. He swallowed and did not meet her eye.

“Stupid of you,” Annika quipped, but her expression was one of pity, rather than admonishment. “Of all the females–”

“I assure you,” Thaddius interrupted. “I tried not to.”

Annika cursed, then turned her back on them both. “The next time you’re sent over that godforsaken Chasm, try snatching up a man.” She disappeared behind another door made of hanging cloth.

“It’s not quite so easy to discern the difference from the sky. They wrap themselves in heavy fur,” Thaddius called to her, rolling his eyes. Farra elbowed him.

“Speaking of which,” Annika returned, a bundle of fur in her arms. “Wrap yourself up, human. You’re turning blue.”

Indeed, Farra had walked the distance to the Colony in nothing but the prisoner garb she’d been forced into weeks before. Thaddius suddenly regarded her with an appalled expression. “Fuck,” he gritted out, closing his eyes. “I am sorry, malishka.”

Farra touched his arm. “I am fine.”

“No, you’re not,” Annika argued. “You keep telling him that and death will find you quicker than we can hide you.” She threw the bundle at Farra, who caught it and unravelled a heavy hide-backed blanket.

“It will also be your bed,” Annika told her, shrugging. “Try not to wet it in the snow.”

Farra wrapped it around her shoulders. “Thank you.”

“I will repay you, Annika,” Thaddius said. “And I will return tomorrow with food.”

Annika made a tsking noise. “No, Thaddius. You’ll stay away from here. Do you understand me?”

“I…” he hesitated, his fingers intertwining with Farra’s. “I cannot–”

“You can and you shall. If you truly care for her, you will leave her be.” Annika’s eyes bore into his. “Return when you are ready to whisk her down those slopes.”

“I am grateful for your aid,” he said roughly. “But I will not abandon her here and keep my distance.”

“Yes,” Farra insisted. “You will.”

Thaddius turned his back on Annika, his eyes boring into Farra’s. “You needn’t fear, malishka. I will not reveal you.”