The Snow Queen's Shadow

and wiped sweat from her brow. She squinted until she spied the rectangular framework in the flames. “You said the fire could be used as a weapon against intruders?”
    “They say the wizard who founded Kanustius slew a hundred dragons by magic. He buried their skulls in a ring around the city, binding them to protect all who lived within.” Gerta watched the flames as if entranced. “I remember Mother ordering the fires raised once, when we were young. We were returning from the mountains, and she had heard rumors of a Morovan assassin. I remember thinking how pretty the sparks were. Snow used her magic to call one to our carriage, thinking to keep it as a pet. She burned a hole in her cushion.”
    “What will it take to persuade them to admit us?” asked Talia. Her gaze flicked from one tower to the next as they left the protection of the trees. “They’ll have been watching us ever since we crested that last hill.”
    Talia’s horse whinnied and stepped sideways. Eyes wide, tail compressed against her hindquarters, the mare backed away from the wall, ignoring Talia’s commands.
    “Easy,” Danielle whispered. She stroked her own horse’s neck. She didn’t blame them for being afraid. If the heat was this intense, how much worse would it become when they tried to pass into the city? Only Gerta appeared unaffected, her hands tucked into her sleeves for warmth as she stared at the wall.
    “We can walk from here.” Gerta dismounted and stepped away from her horse.
    “Wait here, please,” Danielle said to the horses as she and Talia followed suit.
    They started toward the gate, but made it only a short distance further before the heat grew too intense. Talia grimaced and said, “Subtle they’re not.”
    “You thought we’d simply waltz into the city to request an audience with the king?” asked Danielle.
    “You did tell him we were coming, didn’t you?” Talia cupped her hands to her mouth, then froze.
    “What’s wrong?” asked Danielle.
    Talia tilted her head to one side and sniffed the air. “Magic.”
    Gerta laughed. “The three-story wall of blue fire gave it away, did it?”
    Talia didn’t smile. She turned around, squinting at the trees behind them. She reached under her cape.
    Gerta’s smile vanished as she grabbed Talia’s wrist. “Are you mad? Draw weapons here, in full view of the towers, and you’re dead. Not even you can dodge the Stormcrows’ magic.”
    Talia scowled, but withdrew her hand. “So what would you suggest we do about them?” She pointed to the woods.
    These wasps were bigger than the ones Danielle remembered, their buzz lower in pitch. She counted seven streaking from the trees. “Get as close to the wall as you can. They won’t like the heat.”
    The horses ignored her. Between Talia, the wall, and the wasps, it was all too much. They nickered and galloped away, fleeing toward the woods. Danielle did nothing to stop them. The wasps didn’t appear to care about the animals. The horses were probably safer in the woods than they would be if they stayed here.
    Talia snarled and jerked her sword free of its sheath. “The Stormcrows can’t kill us for defending ourselves.”
    “They can, actually,” said Gerta, but she drew a dagger of her own.
    Sweat stung Danielle’s eyes as she backed toward the flames. The wasps flew at chest height, fast as sling stones. They split into two groups to attack from both sides. Danielle ducked as they buzzed over her head and circled back away from the fire.
    Gerta jumped back, yanking her cloak away from her body. A wasp clung to the material, its mirrored stinger tearing one hole after another.
    “Don’t move,” said Talia. Her sword smashed the wasp to the ground.
    Gerta yelped. One hand went to her ear, as if checking to make sure Talia hadn’t severed it. Talia simply grinned and swung at another wasp.
    “You said the wall would allow Snow to pass, because she was of royal blood?” Danielle asked. “You’re her sister. Will the wall recognize you?”
    Gerta bit her lip, her face pale. “I . . . I don’t know. If I’m truly Snow’s sister—”
    “Do it.” Danielle shoved her away. “They can’t follow you into the flames. Stay within it as long as you can, until they’re gone.”
    Gerta hadn’t quite reached the wall when the wasps regrouped for a second attack. Danielle braced herself.
    Blue fire crackled through the air like the breath of a dragon. Smoke and steam exploded from the earth. Four