Page 133 of Shadows of Winter

“I briefly saw Targon when I collected your brother, and he forbade me from disappearing into the wilderness with you, but you must clear your name so you can return to the castle and open your meadery.” Vlerion held her gaze.

He wanted to disappear into the wilderness with her? Maybe that shouldn’t surprise her. He’d been protecting her all along, even when he’d claimed she exasperated him.

“I…” Kaylina hadn’t yet considered more than escaping with her life.

“I assume you aren’t giving up.” Vlerion set the pack of supplies he’d been carrying by her feet. “You’ll fight and find a way to return triumphant.”

Frayvar raised his eyebrows. Waiting to hear her response?

“Is that what a ranger would do?” Kaylina asked.

“Certainly. And I believe it is your fate.”

“People like me don’t have fates, Vlerion. I’m not a noble or a great warrior.”

“No? You’ve already changed the city.”

Kaylina thought he referred to the battle in the castle, but she’d done little to impact the outcome of that, unless seeing her in danger had been what caused Vlerion to turn into the beast and singlehandedly destroy half of the invasion force. But he pointed toward the city, his finger following the river toward a dark structure along it. Stillguard Castle.

She started to say that she hadn’t done anything there—thanks to the fire, it was in worse shape than when they’d leased it—but she started when she noticed a certain tower window. Not a red glow but a purple glow emanated from it.

“What does that mean?” she wondered.

“That plant may have liked your honey a lot more than it liked Targon.”

“My honey is much more appealing than Targon, but… that doesn’t mean… I mean, is a purple glow better than a red one?”

It was less ominous. She would admit to that. But had anything about the curse changed? And would the new glow last for a long time? Or only until the honey water she’d given the plant dried up?

She itched to go check on the castle. But she couldn’t return to the city. Not unless, like Vlerion had said, she could enact a plan to clear her name.

“I’ve never heard of the glow changing color. It’s been red for as long as I can remember.” Vlerion extended a hand in the direction of the castle. “It’s almost an invitation, isn’t it? For your heroic return.”

“You think so?”

“I do.” He clasped her hand, sending a warm tingle through her. He wanted her to return.

“It’s easier to be heroic for others than yourself,” she said, though some of her feeling of defeat was waning, replaced by growing resolution. Maybe she could deal with Jana and somehow make everything work out. Achieve her dream.

“I’ve found that to be true. If doing it for yourself isn’t enough, do it for me.” His eyelids drooped as he gazed at her.

Kaylina wished she knew if she had truly changed something about the curse, because if it was possible to alter the castle, might it also be possible to alter him? To lift his curse? So he could have the life he deserved and be the honorable ranger he wanted to be? That he was when the beast didn’t take him.

“Okay,” she found herself saying as she returned his gaze.

“Good. Even though you are a terribly exasperating woman, I would be distressed if I never saw you again.”

“I’d kind of miss you too, even though you’re a haughty aristocrat. I’d especially miss your taybarri.”

“The entire stable would be bereft if your absence were forever.”

“Ugh.” Frayvar turned his head and walked behind the stone building.

“What?” Kaylina called after him.

“You’re going to kiss, and I don’t want to see it.”

“We’re not going to kiss. We can’t…” Kaylina trailed off, wishing they could. But the last thing she wanted was to prompt Vlerion to turn into the beast again. She’d seen exactly how terrifying that was, how deadly.

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