Sacrifice (The Snow Queen #2)(36)

“I see. It’s admirable that you plan to be honest with him, but do you think his attachment is so strong that he will join us even though you do not love him?”

Thinking back to his pained expression, Rakel nodded. “He’s searching for a way out, I think, but he is afraid no one will take him. If I present a token of my trust, he will come.”

“I have to admit, I find your confidence in his feelings irritating. I was looking forward to using the knowledge of his admiration against you for weeks to come.” Phile sighed and rested her chin on her hands. “So…a token? What would that be?”

Rakel adjusted the sleeves of her linen shirt and said nothing.

Phile sat up. “No—you aren’t thinking…?”

Rakel met her gaze. “It would make my trust unmistakable.”

“It will also get you tossed back to Ostfold when you suggest it to Halvor.”

Rakel peeked at the general, who was listening to an oral report from one of the soldiers. “I don’t want to go behind his back. He deserves to be informed, but…”

“But he doesn’t trust Farrin. Even if Farrin showed up with a white horse and a bouquet of flowers, he would have him run-through,” Phile admitted. “Oskar would react even worse.”

“Oskar is more prone to giving me whatever I want,” Rakel said, realizing with surprise that it was true.

“Yeah, but something tells me he’s not going to let this one go so easily. If you succeed, you’ll be inviting an enemy into the camp.”

“Isn’t that what Crow is? He has made himself well liked.” Rakel gestured to the talkative mercenary, who was chatting up Hilda.

“Fine. You’re right. You should tell Halvor what you’re going to attempt, but I would keep quiet on your idea for a token of faith.”

“Very well,” Rakel said. It displeased her to keep even part of the truth from Halvor, but Phile was right. If he knew she intended to return Farrin’s sword to him, he would forbid it—princess or not. “Do you think they will believe I can recruit him?”

“Ogle-worthy Oskar thinks you can do just about anything, so he won’t doubt you. Handsome Halvor might, but he’ll come around. He knows you are capable, and you don’t boast of your powers. If you think you can snag Graydim, he’ll come to trust you. When will you tell them?”

“There’s a meeting tonight. It’s a small group—just a few of the magic users, officers, General Halvor, Steinar, and Oskar. I will propose it then.”

Phile nodded. “Smart. We’ll be marching out soon for battle. You’ll want to have your plan blended with theirs before then.”

Rakel nodded. She fidgeted, trying to ease her apprehension.

“Don’t worry, I’ll support you.” Phile offered her a smile. “If you can snag Farrin, it will be a large blow to the Chosen and a boon to us. He’ll guard you with everything he has, and I imagine some of his more loyal underlings would come with him, boosting our numbers. It’s the best outcome we could dream of.”

“I hope so.” Wanting to get off the topic, Rakel pointed to Kai and Gerta. “How do you think Kai is doing?”

Phile tapped her lips. “Gerta is treating him the same—bless her soul. If it weren’t for her, I think it would be harder on him.”

“His mother seems to be having a hard time adjusting.” Rakel nudged her plate away from her.

“I noticed that as well. It’s not too surprising, I guess. Even if magic is more accepted now, thanks to you, there will always been some who find it frightening.”

“She is his mother,” Rakel said.

“She’s scared, Little Wolf. Fright makes people do things that are out of character. You of all people should understand that,” Phile said.

Rakel was silent.

“Though I can recognize it would touch a nerve in you. At least he has Gerta’s family. Granny Hilda is as affectionate and warm with him as ever,” Phile said. She offered Rakel a relaxed smile. “And he has you.”

“Us,” Rakel corrected.

“You betcha,” Phile agreed.

Rakel rose. “Would you like to practice?”

“Again?” Though she was surprised, Phile stood with no hesitation.

“Yes,” Rakel said. “I could use the release.”

“Smart girl. If using your magic isn’t enough, we could always try to judge which man in the camp is the most handsome—excluding your brother. Unless…do you have a Bunad in his size?”

“Enough, Phile.”

“No, it is never enough. Just you wait until Colonel Dimwit is part of the camp. Then you’ll have a complete set of handsome men at your beck and call.” Phile winked and zipped out of the mess hall, ducking the snowball Rakel tried to pelt her with.

“Keep running, Robber Maiden!” Rakel called.

“I intend to!”



The evening meeting was not precisely what Rakel expected. Prior to dinner, three riders of the resistance movement—still unnamed, although the representatives told her they were now considering being called the Frosted Fellowship—entered Tana.

It seemed the resistance had a sizable force in the area and was eager to help in the battle against Tenebris, so Halvor had extended an invitation to attend the meeting. It wasn’t the extra people Rakel found unusual, but more their….behavior.