Sacrifice (The Snow Queen #2)(14)

“And you are not?”

“I am trusted, but I’ve only known Tenebris for a few years. Sunnira is his childhood friend.”

“I see.” Rakel stored away the fact to ponder later. “Why are you telling me this?”

The corners of Farrin’s lips quirked down. “Because you asked.”

“No, I mean the mirror. Telling me about it because you respect me is unlikely, but believable. Suggesting ways for me to find it due to respect is out of the question. Unless…” Rakel squinted up at him, struggling to judge the situation. Knowing that he likes me, I don’t think he would set a trap for me…and the mirror is supposed to be north—which we hold.

Farrin sighed. “It is not a plot against you.”

Rakel blinked in surprise. “I didn’t say it was.”

“No, but you had that accusing edge to your eyes. I’m informing you because I know you will not use the mirror for your own gains. You will destroy it.”

“Why do you believe that?”

Farrin rested his hands on his sword belt. “You are content with your powers. If you longed for more, you would eye your brother’s throne, but you haven’t—in spite of the zealots in your resistance movement.”

Rakel drew back her shoulders and studied Farrin with newfound respect. I always respected his combat abilities, but even some of my friends and self-professed followers haven’t realized how little use I have for power. Is he that observant of everyone, or is it just a result of his…feelings?

Farrin’s voice was soft. “Have I sufficiently satisfied your curiosity, Your Highness?”

“No.” Rakel knit her hands together. “If you know I will destroy it, why tell me? Your leaders are seeking it—and we have already established that you respect Tenebris in spite of his horrible actions.”

“Sometimes, it is best if the people you respect—even the people you follow—do not face temptations they may be unable to overcome.” He looked beyond Rakel, at her ice dam, and in that moment, Rakel felt sorry for him.

He’s hoping the mirror is just that, a temptation. He has not yet accepted that Tenebris is evil. I imagine it would be very hard to watch someone you respect become dark…

“I understand,” Rakel said, even though she was not referring to the same thing.

Farrin returned his gaze to her and smiled with his eyes. “You return to Ostfold today?”

“Yes.”

He nodded. He was quiet for several heartbeats and pressed his lips together. “When you search for the mirror…check for paths around Ensom Peak that lead north into the mountains.”

Rakel blinked. “Ensom?”

“Yes.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Farrin’s lips took on a sad curve. “Of course.”

Rakel hesitated, unsure what to say. She wanted to tell him he should turn against Tenebris, that he should free himself as the activities of his leaders obviously unsettled him. But…she remembered that he was like a storybook knight. He won’t leave for his own sake. He is too loyal. I wish I could tell him he is being an idiot.

She opened and closed her mouth, at a loss for words.

Farrin seemed to sense this. He took a step closer and grazed his gloved hand across her cheek. “Take care.” He was gone before she could respond, tapping his speed magic and disappearing with only a breeze to mark his exit.

“Something must be done about him,” Rakel said. Her throat was dry and uncomfortable. But I don’t know what. How could I recruit him? I don’t return his feelings; inviting him would be just as false as Tenebris.

Phile popped up from behind a snowdrift. “So did you wrangle more information out of him?”

“You knew he was here?” Rakel asked.

“I suspected. It was blasted hard to keep Halvor from following you. I managed as long as I did only because a resistance fighter came looking for him with an organizational question. King’s toes, that man delights too much in military structure. So, what information did you get?”

“I need to look at the maps in the royal library for a mountain path.”

Phile casually tossed Foedus back and forth between her hands. “Why? You and Oskar spent days brooding over books and maps already.”

“I know our entrance point.”

“Where is it?”

“Ensom Peak.”



“Steinar?” Rakel rapped her knuckles on his large, ornate door. The hall was as silent as a graveyard, and the room behind the door was like a tomb. “It’s me…Rakel.”

Nothing stirred—not even a valet or attendant to shoo her away.

It had been this way since Rakel and the army had freed Ostfold. Occasionally Steinar—King of Verglas and Rakel’s little brother—wandered the palace. But he avoided General Halvor and any of the military officers, and he usually fled from Rakel.

If someone approached his room, a servant explained that the king was feeling poorly. Rakel seemed to be the only one Steinar did not bother pretending with.

He’s afraid—of me, of retaliation…but I’ve already told him I don’t want the throne.

Rakel cleared her throat. “I wanted to inform you that I’m going with a small task force to search for the mirror described in the report General Halvor gave you shortly after our arrival. Unless…do you have alternative orders?”