Page 120 of Clash of Kingdoms

THREE WEEKS LATER

Winter arrived.

It was always cold this far south, but now that the season had arrived, the snow started to fall.

And it didn’t stop.

The field where the battle had taken place was covered with the white powder, hiding all the bloodstains of those who’d given their lives. Peace had been restored to the Kingdoms, and Atticus began the daunting task of preparing everyone to travel through the snow and back to their homes.

Assuming they were still there.

I spent my time in the cottage in the village, wanting to be away from the prying eyes of my family. It hurt them to see me hurt, so it was best I just avoided them altogether. Lila visited me often, and we would go for a drink at the nearby pub or sit in front of the fireplace while the frost pressed up against the windows.

I spent most of my time at home, lying on the couch with a heavy blanket on top of me, rebuilding the fire over and over, making it burn constantly. I started to run low on firewood, but I didn’t have the energy to purchase more from the lumberjacks in town.

I didn’t have the energy to do anything.

Three weeks had come and gone, but it felt like Aurelias had just left yesterday.

I wondered if he’d made it back to his lands safely. It would be such a waste if he’d drowned on the way home.

A knock sounded on the door.

I was on the couch, and I almost didn’t have the energy to stand up and answer it, but I forced myself up and across the room, wearing sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt, my hair in an oily bun because I’d skipped the shower several days in a row.

The knock sounded again.

I opened the door without checking who was on the other side. “Father?” I hadn’t seen him in a couple of weeks. They’d given me space and I hadn’t had to ask for it, but it looked like their patience had worn out.

“I just had dinner with your uncle. Thought I would stop by.” He held up the covered dish. “They had pot roast, so I thought you might like some.”

“Oh, thanks.” I took it from him and carried it to the counter. It was still hot like he’d come straight to my cottage after the pub.

He shut the door behind him and took a look around, his eyes settling on the empty rack next to the fireplace. “I’ll grab you more firewood tomorrow. Looks like it’s going to be a long winter.”

“It’s okay, Father,” I said as I sat on the couch. “I can get it.”

“It’s no trouble.” He moved to the armchair, wearing his casual clothes with his heavy fur coat on top. He looked at the stairs to the next landing where the bedroom was. “There’re so many memories in this place…”

“Mother told me. She even told me about the time Grandmother poisoned you to take Mother away.”

He rolled his eyes. “Not her finest hour.”

“I’m surprised you forgave her.”

“Didn’t happen overnight.” He stared at the fire.

“Mother told me this was your first home after you were married.”

“It was.”

“I like it here,” I said. “It has a good energy.”

A grin suddenly moved on to his lips. “Your mother caught me talking to Elora at the pub one night, not realizing she was my sister. When I walked in the door, your mother was so jealous, she stabbed me.”

“She stabbed you?”

His grin widened. “Yep.”

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