The Snow Queen's Shadow

the darkling, and there was no hiding the hatred in her face. Veleris simply appeared sad. “We were unprepared to lead,” Veleris said softly. “As the war turned against us, Bellum and I, along with a few others, sought aid from the kings and queens of the other fairy hills. They refused. The Duchess was the only one willing to help such low-caste fairies as ourselves. She sent dwarves and goblins, the same fairies who built her own kingdom, to help us hide. She demanded only two things. The first was loyalty.”
    Which would explain why the Duchess knew they would help Danielle. “And the second?”
    “That not a single fairy of noble blood accompany us,” said Bellum.
    Danielle exhaled, thinking back to what the giant had described of their battles with humans. “To save yourselves, you had to leave them behind to die.”
    “As if they’d have listened to a giant. They refused to give up their homeland. They would have led us all to our deaths.”
    Instead, with the nobles dead, Bellum and Veleris had been forced into leadership of the fairy refugees . . . and by their bargain, the Duchess commanded Bellum and Veleris.
    “It’s how she operates,” Veleris said. “Conquering not through warfare, but through favors and obligations, entangling all who bargain with her.”
    Including Danielle, and through her, Jakob.
    Chains rattled outside the door, which swung open a moment later. Gerta was on one knee, scratching the dragon’s chin. Talia was damp and bedraggled, but both she and Gerta appeared unhurt. Danielle raised her eyebrows, indicating Gerta with a tilt of her head.
    “She’ll help us,” Talia said flatly.
    Bellum stared. Even Veleris appeared surprised, asking, “What did you threaten her with to accomplish that?”
    “Leaving her here with you,” Talia shot back.
    Veleris chuckled. Bellum simply scowled.
    Danielle stepped between Talia and the giant before things could progress any further. “Bellum, what help can you give us?”
    “We’ve told you what you have to do,” Bellum grumbled. “It’s up to you to figure out how to get close enough to Snow to stop her.”
    “You can offer me in trade,” Gerta said quietly. She appeared almost calm, making Danielle wonder anew what had happened between her and Talia. “Tell Snow you’re willing to give me up in exchange for Jakob. If it gets us close enough—”
    “Close enough for her mirror wasps to enslave you all, you mean?” asked Bellum. “She’ll own you before you ever reach her palace.”
    Danielle frowned. “You know of her palace?”
    “We’ve hidden ourselves away from your world.” Veleris glanced at the metal cone in the wall. “That doesn’t mean we’ve stopped listening. A few sprites still wander the surface. We listen, and we wait.”
    “She’s built her fortress to the north,” said Bellum. “Where the mountains split, there is a lake shaped like a curving teardrop. She’s hidden herself well from human magic, but not from fairy eyes. If your darkling carries you, you could make the journey within two days.”
    Two days to plan. Two days to find another way, one which didn’t involve sacrificing Snow and Gerta.
    “The longer we wait, the more people will die,” said Gerta softly. “I think I know the lake she means. West of the summer palace. We ran away once and spent the night on the shore. Our mother sent one of her Deathcrows to retrieve us.” Her voice trailed off, her lips set in a grim line.
    “You’ll need supplies,” said Bellum. She grabbed an oversized pair of fur-lined mittens and stuffed them into a sack. Next she opened a barrel of dried fish and began piling them onto an old sheet of parchment.
    “Thank you,” Danielle said, trying to hide her surprise.
    “She’s just trying to hurry you on your way.” Veleris winked. “And she’s giving you the oldest, toughest meat. Here, let me do that.” She slapped Bellum’s hand away and took over the preparations. “You’ll leave in the morning. You’re far too exhausted to set out now.”
    Danielle glanced at her companions. She wanted to argue, but the fatigue on Gerta’s face matched her own. “Weapons would also speed us along. And perhaps a change of clothes that didn’t smell like bandit sweat?”
    Talia snatched one of the fish and took a bite.
    “Gerta . . .” Danielle swallowed. Gerta’s red hair was damp, her face weary, but the panic was gone from her eyes and her movements. Danielle searched for something