Followed by Fros(56)

My teeth chattered, and I clenched them tight. Different or no, I felt as cold as the day Mordan had cursed me. Cold as the water of Heaven’s Tear Lake, when the ice broke beneath my feet when I was ten years old. Cold as the deepest layers of snow on the highest peaks. Cold as my heart.

“You do not have a cold heart, Misa.”

I shivered. “You cannot have him.”

Without intending to, I had spoken in Northlander. Boani’s daughter narrowed her eyes and repeated in a thick accent, “Have him?”

Giving her my attention, I said, “Get some clean cloth to wrap that ice in; it will hurt him if you put it directly on his skin. I will make more for a cold-water bath to help lower his temperature.” At least, that’s what my mother had done for us when our fevers ran too high.

Winter wind swept through the windows, and Aamina hugged herself in a futile attempt to get warm. I needed to leave, soon. I nodded to the young girl and left the bedroom with the pail to search for Boani. She had already returned to the main room with a jug of water.

“Do you have a hammer?” I asked.

She nodded.

Kneeling, I poured the water into the pail and froze it. “Use the hammer to break off pieces. If you have a cellar, or even a deep hole, the ice will keep for longer there. I need to leave before snow starts to fall on the city. Can I do anything else?”

Boani shook her head, and I saw tears in her eyes, which instantly made me regret the need to make haste. “No, thank you,” she said, bowing slightly at the waist. “This has helped so much.”

I smiled and pulled on my gloves. “I will check back and pray for him. Call the doctor again—it cannot hurt.”

Boani smiled and picked up the pail of ice before hurrying into the bedroom. I spied after her, but I did not see Sadriel, which relieved me in more ways than one.

I thanked Aamina for her time with me and told her I would return to the cavern on my own. She insisted on escorting me, but I stood my ground and she was cold, so my argument won out. I arranged my head scarf so it would keep the short strands off my face, then hurried outside and back the way we had come. A few tiny crystals of snow already danced on chilled winds. The streets were largely clear, and I imagined many had returned to their homes to wait out the storm. I walked briskly, encouraging the patch of white sky to follow me. Any stragglers in the street stepped aside for me; it was not hard to recognize the Svara Idyah and her cloud.

Thankfully, I saw no dogs, and therefore took a main road around the marketplace and northward, toward the edge of the city. I had only just passed the last of the stores when a familiar voice called out my name.

“Smeesa!”

Despite my hurry, I stopped and looked back at a band of guards moving toward me. I noticed Eyan first, but he had not been the one to speak my name.

Imad waved at me from the center of the group. He was dressed in simple clothes, and his hair was longer than the last time I’d seen him, though he still wore the two narrow braids over each ear. His pale eyes were a startling contrast to those around him.

I spied Lo behind him, taller than the entire guard save for one of the men. He smiled at me, and my heart sped.

I bowed as Imad neared. “Forgive me, I’ve been in the city too long. I was just returning home.”

“I had hoped to find you before you left,” Imad said with a wide smile, speaking Northlander. “I saw the cloud. How have you been? I have not been to see you as promised, and I apologize.”

“No, it’s fine!” I said, putting up my gloved hands. “You have done so much for me; I could not ask more. I am very comfortable.”

Imad nodded and walked beside me, his guard fanning out around us. I stole a glance at Lo. Our eyes met for the briefest moment.

“My second cook has created the most remarkable dessert, thanks to you,” Imad said, clasping his hands behind his back. “He uses your snow and salt to harden sweet cream. Do you have anything like that in the Northlands?”

I grinned. “Not that I know of. It sounds . . . interesting.”

Imad made a grand gesture toward the sky. “You will have to make it snow hard so we can have more ice. I want to serve it at my birthday dinner, which I insist you attend. I will have Havid deliver an official invitation, of course.”

“Aamina may be better . . . Birthday? When is it?”

“Next week, but the celebration will be in two,” he answered. He clapped his hands together. “It will be spectacular. The doctors say even Father will be able to attend, so you will finally get to meet him. He is impressed with you.”

I bowed my head. “Thank you, but helping Zareed requires no effort on my part. If it will cause no harm, I would love to attend your dinner.” Eating in front of so many would prove a challenge, but I could have an early dinner in my cave and come just to watch. How exciting it would be to attend a prince’s party! I could not believe such blessings existed for me. And though I seldom spoke to him, I still cherished Imad’s friendship.

Imad slowed. “I best get back, but I’m glad I found you. Lo, would you send an escort with Smeesa?”

“I will take her myself, my sheikh,” Lo said with a short bow.

Imad nodded and clapped his hands once more. “Then I will see you in two weeks, Smeesa.” He shivered, then laughed. “I will have to remember to bring a coat the next time I hunt you down.”