Page 12 of Of Snow and Sapphire

Zimyn huffed. She wasn’t wrong. When he was young, there was a point where he didn’t grow taller, but his feet grew bigger. Thankfully, over time, his height matched the feet that carried him, but it was an awkward few years.

Once the woman finished, she took his name and let him know when it would be ready.

He left the shop feeling such relief and excitement. The time was coming.

There was a small step right by the door of the shop that he forgot about and his foot landed on wet mud, causing him to fall straight down.

“Hopeless,” a familiar voice muttered.

Zimyn scrambled up, his uniform covered in mud. Ludelle was standing there, smirking at him.

“What are you doing here?” His eyes darted around. “What are you doing here alone?” he asked, more alarmed.

“I could ask the same,” she said inspecting her claws. He always loved the way the natural cobalt contrasted with her white skin.

“You should be with the others. You look like you couldn’t even fight away a small rabbit if it attacked you.”

Her mouth gaped. “What does that mean?”

“It means you look tired.”

“I’m fine.” But her jaw tensed. She knew he was right. He noticed it while they were speaking to the villagers. It was subtle, but he could see how hard she worked to keep her eyes open. He couldn’t blame her. She was under immense stress.

He reached out his hand. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s get you back to the castle.”

She reluctantly took it. Her hands were cold in his, so he squeezed tight, like he could infuse his own strength into her.

“You never said why you were in that shop.”

“It’s not important.”

He could have sworn he felt her heartbeat stop for just a moment, but he didn’t push it. He would tell her the truth soon, no matter how hard it would be.

As she promised the villagers, Ludelle went to the quiet divine temple room. The room was situated under the highest peak of the castle, as it reached closest to the Gods. Sveta had unlocked the room for her but gave her the privacy Ludelle craved. Being Queen meant that someone was always seeking her out or trailing in her shadow. However, she used her prayer time as an excuse to get people away because no one dared interrupt her as she spoke with the Weather Gods.

But all good things must come to an end, so she ended her session with one final ask to the Gods that her Undertaking be successful and blew the cold blue flames of the candles out.

The minister waited for her in robes so deeply blue they were practically black.

“May the Weather Gods hear your prayers,” Sveta said softly.

“Yes, let us hope that they took time out of their very busy lives to listen.”

“Do not forget that we are at their will. Everything we do must serve them.”

Ludelle scoffed. “And why do they not serve us?” Especially when Ludelle’s family had to risk their lives each year just to please them.

Sveta looked out the large window in the hallway. Small birds chirped as they fluttered around the trees. “They give us the power to live.”

“Is it really living when one has such minimal say in how they can live it?”

“You speak of your marriage, don’t you?”

“No.”

Sveta smiled, dipping her head as if sharing a joke with the Gods personally. “You must make sacrifices, as we all do.”

“Surely a marriage of love is more powerful than one that is forced due to responsibility.”

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