Heart of Ice (The Snow Queen #1)(25)

“Aren’t you freezing?” Phile asked, staring at Rakel’s clothes. She wore a light blue Bunad and a dim, gray cape.

Phile, on the other hand, was swaddled in cloth and wore at least two scarves, fur-lined boots, and the thickest mittens Rakel had ever seen.

“It’s not that cold,” Rakel said.

“The sun is down. Yes, it is very cold,” Phile growled. “You have snow bear blood flowing in your veins.”

“Silence,” Captain Halvor snarled, darting the remaining distance to the small supply gate. He rapped a strange pattern on the doors, and they swung open. “Hurry!”

Rakel checked to make sure the hood of her cape covered her moon-bright hair as she followed Oskar inside.

Captain Halvor’s man closed the doors behind them, and Rakel got her first glimpse at the innards of Glowma.

While Rakel’s books and written records had described the average dimension and architecture style of houses and buildings, there was so much it hadn’t prepared her for. The air smelled of smoke, manure, and hay, and it was so loud. Even though most of the city was sleeping, store signs creaked; a cat yowled and knocked a bucket over; a group of men laughed several streets down; and a goat bleated.

The books also failed to mention all the dirt, Rakel realized as Captain Halvor led her past a pile of garbage. And the smell. It took most of her self-control, but Rakel managed to keep the majority of her attention on Captain Halvor and took in the sights as they ghosted up a small street sandwiched between the backend of stores.

Phile patted her on the shoulder and smiled in reassurance. When Rakel stared at her, the Robber Maiden glanced up ahead, threw an arm around Rakel’s shoulders, and dragged her—by the neck—into an alleyway, nearly stabbing her in the face with Foedus.

A squad of Chosen troops turned a corner and marched down the lane. Rakel and Phile ducked, crouching among barrels, blending in with the shadows. Captain Halvor, Oskar, and Snorri were nowhere to be seen. The soldiers stopped, the ring of torchlight falling just short of their barrels.

“Come,” Phile breathed into Rakel’s ear.

“Are you mad?” Rakel hissed, peering between the barrels. She was treated to the sight of a Chosen soldier scratching his bum. “Where are the others?”

“They ducked into the other alley. If we steal away now, that handsome Captain-Mother won’t be able to catch up.”

Rakel tugged the brim of her hood. “And what are you proposing we do?”

“You need a better assessment of the city than what your nursemaids are going to give you. Come on,” Phile said, sliding away.

Rakel could see why Phile could call herself the Robber Maiden. Even though she wore at least five layers of clothes, she moved like a shadow—quiet and stealthy.

Rakel hesitated for a moment. What if this is a trap?

Phile gestured for her to follow.

Indecision gnawed at Rakel as she studied Phile—who, she was beginning to realize, had wormed her way past Rakel’s icy interior defenses. Rakel momentarily shut her eyes to collect herself, and then slowly eased away as the soldiers lingered. When she crept from the alleyway, Phile twirled Foedus and flashed her a white grin.

“Perfect work, Little Wolf,” she whispered. She grabbed Rakel by the hand and dragged her along, weaving between closed-up stores. “Right now, we’re in the business section—few people live here, and no one has bothered opening their stores since Glowma was taken,” Phile said. “Still, you don’t want to sacrifice this area if you can help it. People make their livelihood here.” She spoke a little louder now that they were farther away from patrolling soldiers.

“As I shouldn’t throw my magic around in the residential area, using these stores as the place to make my stand might be my only choice,” Rakel said, frowning as she took in the high roofs. Some were thatched, and others were pitched steeply to encourage snowfall to slide off, which was unfortunate. She had been hoping she could boost some of the Verglas soldiers onto the roofs to pick off enemy soldiers.

“You’re forgetting the municipal buildings—though there is only one big one,” Phile said. “And, of course, the barracks.”

“It’s not just the Verglas citizens I wish to spare,” Rakel said.

Phile rolled her eyes. “You are the most righteous hero I’ve ever met—and I’ve seen quite a few!”

“I am not a hero.”

“ ‘Course you are.”

“No, I’m not,” Rakel said.

“Of course you are. Who else would rescue a country that has scorned them? Certainly not villains. It’s this way.”

Phile darted up streets, leading Rakel through the darkened maze of Glowma. A smile as thin as the first ice of winter settled on Rakel’s lips as they left the business area for the residential section, and she was given a chance to see how the city residents lived.

It’s bittersweet, she thought as she lingered in front of a home littered with child-sized sleds. Previously, I couldn’t fathom what I was missing. Now…I’m starting to understand.

When Phile prowled up to a house, Rakel halted. “I’m not breaking into a residence.”

“We’re not breaking in. We’ve got an invite.”

Rakel was as still as a glacier. “You know the owner of this house?”