Page 31

thirty

Carnaxa

S iphonie, who is still not speaking to me since our last argument, is sitting across from me, and I’m beginning to feel bad. I know she’s just trying to help, but I’m tired of the constant talks with her. Anara sits beside me, her hands constantly fidgeting with the chains around her wrists.

“It’s probably time that you put your shawl on, Princess Carnaxa,” Anara says from beside me. Her dark hair is effortlessly pulled back into a tousled bun, a few strands hang along her jawline. “The temperatures are already dropping.” She reaches below her, fumbling for the trunk she stashed under us.

“Anara” — Siphonie straightens up in her seat — “you and Ambassador Thylas seem to be becoming close friends.”

Anara smiles pleasantly at Siphonie. “Yes, he understands me in a manner that few do.” Anara continues to rummage through the trunk at her feet, the sound of shuffling items fills the air. Siphonie simply humphs in acknowledgement.

It’s obvious Siphonie is trying to uncover what is happening. She’s irritated at me and at Thylas. It’s obvious the time Thylas and Anara spend together has increased, and I can’t deny that watching her sneak out of his tent in the mornings doesn’t pique my curiosity.

“I thought that you were Prince Ereon’s orur ... or did palace gossip not place you correctly?” Siphonie says abruptly, never taking her eyes off Anara.

Anara doesn’t react but looks up from the trunk and meets her stare. “I was called that, yes. Not a title I was thrilled to have but it offered some protection. Since Princess Carnaxa has arrived, I no longer hold the role.”

Siphonie knows that if Ereon loves Anara, I’ll accept her into his life. Antalis doesn’t mind letting love grow, and I know a piece of his soul is still mine. I wouldn’t ask him to change himself or the love he has for someone else. This whole argument is pointless, but I realize that it’s Siphonie’s way of trying to get me to react. To be jealous. I look away from them and take a deep breath .

“Princess Carnaxa” — Anara holds the shawl in her hands — “the item you found before we left the palace is still in the pocket.” She pushes against the fur, a bulge visible.

“Be the shark.”

The words flit across my mind. A memory. Thylas said them to me.

I let Anara drape the warm, white shawl across my shoulders, patting softly at the dagger hidden there. The weather has already changed, and while we no longer fear that the sun will melt the flesh from our bones, now we worry we will freeze entirely. We huddle inside the carriage, our breath visible as it escapes our lips.

Anara has helped every day with my training and I’m getting better. I’m confident because I can at least defend myself long enough for someone to actually come help.

A soft rap on the door calls our attention as the carriage comes to a stop. Rhenor leans his head in, a broad smile across his face. His beard is damp and the look in his eyes is one that a child has before opening a gift.

“I know the two of you are going to want to see this.” He nods towards Siphonie. “Bundle up and get out here. Don’t cheat and look out the windows yet, either. Ereon told the Prel to head on up a ways without us so we could enjoy this.” He shuts the door, leaving us wondering what has happened.

We wrap our heavy scarfs around our heads, Siphonie grabs a thicker shawl to cover her own arms. With reluctance and some choice words, she changed out of her Antalian clothing at the last stop to once again wear the attire of Shaston. While she openly expresses her dislike for the clothing, she still values staying warm.

Siphonie is the first one out the door, Rhenor grabbing her around her waist as she exits. Her squeals of delight and happiness hurry my own steps, curious to know what’s out there. I take a step out, my boot crunching the earth beneath me. As far as the eye can see, the ground that was once the sands of Shaston has transformed, blanketed in a layer of pure white snow. And from the gray sky, more of the white powder is falling all around us. The Northern Mountains are covered in white and my breath hitches at the sight. I take hesitant steps away from the carriage, feeling Anara behind me.

Thylas is the first one I see. His armor is slick, but it’s his hair that’s covered in white snowflakes that catches my attention. His gaze locks with mine and a gentle smile plays on his lips. He runs a hand along his recently shaved chin. He takes a step toward me but stops.

I look up and smile, feeling a warmth spread through me as the truest smile I’ve had in moons lights up my face. My scarf falls away from my head and snowflakes gently cascade down onto my own cerulean strands. I lift my hands up, feeling the soft touch of the falling snow as it melts in my palms.

“Snow.” The word falls from my lips. I’ve heard the stories of such a thing, but to witness it is something else. Despite the chill in the air, the beauty of our surroundings is undeniable. The entire landscape seems to glisten in the small slivers of sun that escape between the clouds .

I feel arms slip around my waist. The coolness of his presence and the hum of my chest tell me it’s Ereon. He nuzzles his head into the side of my neck. Thylas’ gaze turns bitter as he watches Ereon pull me closer into him. My breath tightens as he stares at me, his expression changing from joy to sadness. As I stand there, something rushes by my ear, causing me to flinch. In an instant, a massive white ball smashes into Thylas’ chest before any of us can react.

“Terrible reflexes, Ambassador!” Laughter spills from Anara.

Ereon releases me and we turn to her as she’s bent over, already forming another ball of snow in her hands. Thylas turns his attention to Anara and his gaze softens as he wipes his golden armor free from debris before stooping and making a ball of his own and throwing it at her. She runs towards him, throwing handfuls now at him. He dodges her, but throws snowballs towards her and at Rhenor. Rhenor grumbles something about being too old for this beneath his breath, but then takes off after Thylas. The three of them proceed to throw snow between them.

Looking up to Ereon, so many emotions flicker behind his brown eyes as he watches Anara. His expression mirrors that of how Thylas looks at me, and I feel uncertain. If only I could remember. Ereon looks down at me, his fingers brushing the snow from my cheek. Without warning, a ball of snow comes flying towards me, but Ereon’s forearm skillfully knocks it out of the air.

“You’re no fun, Ereon!” Siphonie pouts from in front of me. “That was perfectly aimed! ”

“Sorry Bêlit . Reflexes took control.” He laughs before he grabs me again. With his muscular arms tightly holding mine against my sides, he shouts, “Try again! I’ll hold her this time.”

With a mischievous grin, Siphonie snatches a handful of snow and dashes towards me. She playfully tosses it over my head, causing a chilling sensation to creep into the back of my hood. Laughter escapes me, a sound I’ve not heard in so long. Ereon releases me and I grab the hem of my dress, pulling it up, and I run after her like we did when we were children.