Heart of Ice (The Snow Queen #1)(62)

Rakel weighed out his words, and recalled Trygvvi’s declaration of being her servant. Oskar is right…though I think it will only be for some, not all.

“What will you do if he tries to demote Halvor?” Oskar asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“I do not know much about my brother, but I would like to think he wouldn’t do such a stupid thing. If we win tomorrow, it will be because of General Halvor’s careful planning. Most of the soldiers are infatuated with him. If Steinar tried to change his position, the army would revolt.”

“Then what if he tries to order you about?”

“What do you mean?”

Oskar stroked Frigid’s glossy coat. “What if he tries to use you as a weapon and orders you to do things you do not wish to do?”

Rakel laughed. “If he orders me to kill, I will leave, and there is nothing he can do to stop me.”

“Good,” Oskar nodded.

Rakel blinked. “I beg your pardon?

“I wanted to be sure you would retain your independence even if your brother becomes the commander. You must be your own advocate—for yourself and the other magic users. You’re the only one with the power to do so.”

“What were you going to do if I said I would accept whatever Steinar ordered?”

“It is to be hoped that your brother never finds out,” Oskar said with a cheerful smile. He reached over and ruffled Rakel’s hair—mussing her braid.

Rakel had the very dim thought that he had done this previously, a long, long time ago. “Why did you become my attendant, Oskar?” she asked.

“Oh, Princess. That is a long story that is better suited for another day,” he said, roughly patting Frigid. The reindeer flattened his ears. “Come. It’s time for dinner.”

Oskar, Rakel, and Frigid started for camp—admiring the colors the setting sun painted on the snowy mountainsides.

Perhaps, Rakel wondered, I was not always as alone as I thought.





CHAPTER 16





CURSES IN OSTFOLD


Rakel shifted on Frigid’s back, digging her fingers in his fluffy neck fur to keep her balance. Frigid stamped a hoof impatiently. They should have started the attack on Ostfold already, but Rakel was embarrassed to admit that riding was more daunting than she imagined it would be. As she hadn’t ridden anything before, the saddle—little more than a fleece blanket with a linen top embroidered with beautiful snowflakes that cinched around Frigid’s belly—felt foreign. As did sitting astride it. What was particularly daunting was that instead of having a bridle, Frigid wore a strap that encircled his head and looped down around his cheeks and jaw. Rakel gripped the reins with a strangle hold.

I have magic, and I love reindeer. I can do this.

Frigid took a few steps forward, and Rakel almost fell on his neck.

Maybe I should walk.

Rakel took several deep calming breaths. I can’t walk because I won’t be able to get there fast enough. I have to ride.

Frigid grunted.

Rakel’s heart twisted with fear as she studied the mountain range. Her snow was secured in several pockets that would pool into the valley, pressed against three different mountains. It would take a mere tug to bring the snow out of the valley and into the plains.

She looked back at the palace and Ostfold. This is the first time I’m returning in over twelve years, she thought.

Frigid stamped a hoof.

“You’re right. Let us begin.” Rakel reached for her magic, and, like a thousand birds flying at once, it answered her call, flooding her mind and body. The frosty texture of her magic was reassuring, but even with the avalanche of her magic flooding her, she still felt afraid.

Fear is acceptable, as long as I don’t allow it to cripple me. The occupation of Ostfold ends. Now.

Rakel wriggled two of her fingers at the pooled snow in a “come here,” gesture. The ice dam she built to hold back the snow shattered, and with a roar, the snow surged forth.

Frigid snorted and tossed his head as the snow cascaded towards them in a white flood, but miraculously, he held his ground. The controlled avalanche carved a path across the land, snapping trees like twigs and digging into the ground. Snow floated in the air, so it looked like puffy white clouds from the sky had settled on the mountain, creating a screen as the snow tumbled on.

Rakel guided the snow and started packing it together and compressing it even before it reached the gulley bordering the palace. She gritted her teeth and pushed, crystallizing the snow. When it began to fill the gorge, she further compressed the bottom layer, flushing out air pockets. The snow continued to flow, and Rakel pushed so the crystallized snow expanded in the gaps and became ice.

When the gorge was filled, Rakel cut off the snow—although she had estimated almost perfectly and only a little remained. Now, instead of dropping off into a steep incline, the palace grounds to the east were flat, filled with a small glacier. A process that normally took decades was done in minutes.

It hadn’t used much power—directing the snow didn’t take much, and compacting it was easier than creating it from scratch. However, compressing it and pushing out the air—something she worked with only distantly—in such a great scale made her head and ears ache. She used a wind to scatter the snow that clouded the air, clearing the land quickly.

Rakel clung to Frigid’s back, waiting with caution to see if unconsciousness would snap her up. The reindeer ignored her inaction and began picking his way across the glacier, his tail wiggling. She took a few deep breaths and smiled, pleased when nothing happened. As Frigid trotted towards the palace, she tapped her ice magic, sighing with relief when it plunged through her and banished the remaining ache.