Sacrifice (The Snow Queen #2)(79)

The Robber Maiden nodded. “She was prepared for it.”

Farrin shut his eyes as he remembered how Rakel had clung to him before he left to get Liv. I should have held her longer—even one moment more… Farrin pushed aside his selfish regret and stood, cradling Rakel in her arms. “We should move her to a warmer location. She’s freezing.”

Oskar rubbed his forehead, and the expression in his eyes was lost. “There is a possibility she will wake up?”

“She thought it was unlikely,” Phile said. “But I didn’t believe her. This is Rakel. She has beaten worse odds.”

“What do we do?” Oskar asked.

Farrin held Rakel closer to his body, even though it felt like embracing a blizzard.

General Halvor moved to stand directly in front of Steinar. “Your orders, King Steinar?”

Steinar stared at the frost-covered grass as the echoes of the rejoicing troops washed over them like a wave. “We must act as if we expect Rakel to wake up again…but we should prepare ourselves for the worst,” he finally said.

General Halvor bowed to Steinar. He turned to Oskar. “You will see to the princess?”

“Yes.”

General Halvor nodded and moved to go. He paused, turned around, and stared at Rakel. Farrin could see he had difficulty swallowing. He saluted the unconscious princess, every part of his body straight and proud. His lips moved, but Farrin couldn’t hear his words, and with a flick of his cape, he was gone, calling out orders to his men.

Oskar offered Steinar a stiff bow and turned to Farrin. “If you would follow me, Colonel Graydim. We will commandeer a sleigh and begin the journey back to camp.”

“I would like her moved to Ostfold as soon as it is safe for her to travel,” Steinar said.

Oskar bowed again to the young monarch and then twitched his fingers at Farrin in a gesture for him to follow. Phile moved to join them, but Oskar shook his head at her. “Not right now, Robber Maiden. I’m doing my best to stifle my desire to petition Steinar to exile you from this country. If you must follow us, track down Snorri so I don’t have to see you.”

As Farrin—still carrying Rakel—started after Oskar, his heart shuddered.

Rakel, you must wake up. We need you.





CHAPTER 16





RESTORATION


“This week, I will approve plans and designs to rebuild the palace.” Steinar inched the armchair closer to the bed on which Rakel lay. “You’re also getting a throne in the throne room. I don’t care if you think it’s too high of an honor for you, or makes you seem like a queen, you have more than earned it. Besides, you are a queen—you’re the Snow Queen. And last night, I officially adopted the reindeer as Verglas’s new emblem. The craftsmen working with me promised to include snowflakes and reindeer in the new palace architecture.”

Farrin listened with only half an ear, though he was surprised to realize he felt a twist of sympathy for the young king. Every day he comes and reports to Rakel the palace activities. Every day. Though spring is long gone; summer is in full bloom, and Rakel still sleeps, he has not given up hope.

Steinar’s persistence and belief had bought him a powerful pardon in Farrin’s esteem. Many had given up on Rakel and held her up as a sort of martyred saint instead of their slumbering princess.

Witnessing Steinar’s stubborn loyalty helped ease some of the burden Farrin himself felt.

“The rebuilding efforts in the southern villages continue. The fear that plagued the area has finally left. Many of the resistance fighters from central Verglas have moved south—both to help them and to prove your magic means they have nothing to fear.” Steinar shifted, making his chair creak. Farrin watched him reach out and place his hand on Rakel’s and squeeze it.

“Ensom Peak finally thawed out this past week,” Steinar said. “I sent an expedition to see if anything from Vefsna could be found. It’s gone—and so is your castle. When you shattered it, seems you took the top of the mountain with it, so it does not stand as tall as it used to. It is good the Vefsna villagers moved off the mountain when you left. There were no casualties…although there is a petition to rename the mountain Fresler’s Helm—after you, as Fresler means savior…” he trailed off and sighed. “I have to go…but, Rakel? Happy Birthday.”

Steinar stood and adjusted the vase of flowers he brought. He offered Farrin a weak smile.

Farrin saluted him.

Steinar’s smile grew stronger, and he left the room.

Farrin returned his gaze to Rakel and quietly approached her. “You would be proud of him,” he said after a few minutes. “Organizing the relief efforts has been hard, and although your presence and actions softened the attitude held towards magic, he has plowed forward, heedless of his nobles, and given us rights and freedoms seen nowhere else on this continent—not even in Baris. The magic users and people love him almost as much as they loved you—love you.”

Farrin rubbed his forehead, angry with the unconscious slip of his tongue. She’s alive. He reminded himself. She could come back any day. Oskar did the math—her price should run out soon…if it really is her price keeping her unconscious.

Farrin had heard the whispers among the other magic users. They feared if she had done as Phile had said and had given up all her magic, she may never wake—price or not.