The Snow Queen's Shadow

pain.
    The sun had risen when Talia finally escorted Gerta back to her room, one hand on her elbow to keep her steady. Gerta stopped in the doorway, scowling at Talia with mock anger. “Have you made your choice yet?”
    Talia blinked. “My choice?”
    “Whether or not you’re going to leave.” Gerta kept her voice steady, but Talia could see the way her face tightened as she braced herself.
    Oh. Talia stepped back. “Someone has to keep an eye on you and Danielle. Snow would never forgive me if I let something happen to you.”
    Relief suffused Gerta’s face. She jumped forward, throwing her arms around Talia’s neck and kissing her cheek. “Good.”
    She slipped into her room and shut her door, leaving Talia alone in the hallway. Talia touched her cheek with her fingertips. With her other hand, she reached into her pocket and pulled a single sharpened steel snowflake from its flat leather sheath. She turned it until she could see her reflection.
    “Yes,” she said softly, remembering her final exchange with Snow. “I’ve made my choice.”

CHAPTER 25

    S IX MONTHS FROM THE DAY DANIELLE brought Jakob home, she strode through the courtyard toward the chapel. Talia and Gerta were already waiting outside the door. Talia was armed, a curved sword on one hip, her zaraq whip on the other. Heaven knew what else was tucked away beneath her red cape.
    Danielle wore only her glass sword and the dagger Talia had given her years ago.
    “You think those will be necessary?” Gerta asked.
    “Always,” Talia said before Danielle could respond.
    The others waited inside. Father Isaac stood before the altar, looking troubled. Trittibar sat beside Armand, who rose to greet Danielle with a quick kiss.
    “Jakob?” she asked.
    “In his room. Isaac has warded it to the best of his ability. He’s as safe there as he is anywhere in Lorindar.”
    “Thank you.” Armand’s words weren’t as reassuring as she might have hoped. “I’m sorry.”
    He waved the apology away. He had been angry when he first heard of Danielle’s bargain, and angrier still when he learned of the Duchess’ warning from years before, which Danielle had kept from him. They had fought three times, each worse than the last. Looking back, Danielle realized now how much of that anger had come from grief and fear.
    Today she fought to keep that fear under control. If this didn’t work—She kissed him, perhaps a bit harder than was considered proper, but Danielle didn’t particularly care. She held him close, allowing herself another moment of comfort before turning to Father Isaac to ask, “The chapel is prepared?”
    “I’ve opened the wards to allow you to speak with the Duchess,” Isaac said. “If things go wrong, I’ll do my best to protect you all, but I can make no promises.”
    “I understand.” Danielle drew a deep breath. “I’ve already made my promise.”
    “Good luck,” said Armand.
    Danielle walked to the front of the church, rested a hand on her sword, and spoke the Duchess’ name three times.
    The wooden floor warped and split, boards appearing to fall into endless shadow. The Duchess appeared soon after. “Greetings, Your Majesty. My congratulations on your coronation.”
    Danielle gave a slight bow. Theodore had stepped down four months after the death of his wife. He remained in the palace, but now spent his time advising his son and spoiling his grandson. “Thank you, Your Grace.”
    “To King Armand as well,” the Duchess added. “Given your new responsibilities, I’m flattered you remembered your obligation to a lowly fairy such as myself.”
    How could she forget, when she had thought about her oath every day since making it? “What was your plan for Jakob? To enchant him as you once did Armand? Or to force him to swear loyalty to you, to enslave him as you did the fairies of Speas Elan?”
    “It was your stepsisters who attempted to steal your husband,” the Duchess corrected. “As for my plans, I’m afraid they’re none of your concern. Unless you’d care to bargain for that knowledge?” When Danielle said nothing, she laughed softly. “Once Jakob passes through this portal, he will be safe. Safer than he would be anywhere else in this world. You have my word. Six months from today he will return to you unharmed.”
    Six months . . . that was the loophole Trittibar had discovered. So long as only six months passed in the mortal world, the Duchess would have kept her part of the bargain.