Page 13 of A Dream of Snow

One—Berolt—told Bran, “I served your father faithfully, and I served your brother. But I’m shamed by how I acted under your brother’s service. I broke the code, so many times. I should have stepped down.”

Bran patted his shoulder. “Rest and be at peace. You were standing by your post. My father would understand. May your life here be joyful and may you be at peace.”

Berolt smiled, but I could see the pain in his eyes. “Thank you, Liege.”

Borea promised us she would keep an eye on them and not let them pull anything underhanded. “If they try anything suspect, they’ll be cast out into the snows to survive if they can.”

Bran and Borea forged a preliminary alliance, to be finalized when Bran officially took the throne, and we were off before the midwinter thaw ended. Borea gave us an escort as we made theperilous journey back through the pass. After several weeks of harrowing travel, we finally stood at the edge of the Eiralpine Line, where we bade farewell to Borea’s guards and stepped over the boundary, back into the Bramble Fel Forest.

We broughtKarehl’s body with us, frozen to prevent him from decomposing, and placed it on a pyre at the front of the castle, while all the nobles paid their respects. Word had been passed that the blood hunt was over, that Bran had won, and a feeling of relief swept through Eleago that a nightmare in the making had come to an end.

Charla was gone by the time we arrived. She had received the news early, though we didn’t know how, and had packed up and cleared out. She’d taken what gold she could grab hold of, but it wasn’t much since she didn’t have access to the royal vaults. Bran let her go, although he exiled her and cast her out of the Pack.

Fenling and I wandered through the castle, taking stock of what needed changed or fixed. At first, the servants were terrified. Charla had ruled over them with the threat of death. They skittered around us like they thought we might be wielding guillotines. Fenling did her best to reassure them that we weren’t going to take away their jobs…or their lives…but I could tell it would take time to win their trust. I didn’t want to rule by fear, and trust could only be earned. It wasn’t something you could just demand.

“You know, I never dreamed I’d be living in a castle,” I said. “My village…my house…it seems like so long ago but it’s only been what…four or five months since I left Renmark.”

“You’ll like it here, now. We can go out to the forest any time you want. But…I have a question. And this will be the only time I will ask you this.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“Do you think you’ll be happy, married to Bran, living in the castle, being a leader instead of being a hunter? It’s a big change.”

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “I’ve had time to think about this. Life is made up of changes. Yes, I love hunting, but that doesn’t mean I need to be on the road constantly. I can spend time in the forest, even if I have to take guards with me.”

“Fair enough. You’ll be a wonderful queen.”

“Do you think that your people will accept me?” I asked, verbalizing one of my fears.

“I think they’ll love you. I think you and Bran will be the kind of leaders that the bards write songs and stories about. You’re both so caring…People will come to love you.”

I smiled, slipping my arm through her elbow. “There’s something I want to do sooner than later. I want to offer Ashera the opportunity to move here. Either in the castle, or in the woods near the castle. I want her to be my personal witch, if you know what I mean.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Fenling said.

“If she doesn’t want to do that, then I want to make certain she has everything she needs. I don’t ever want her to worry about money or food.” Ashera had made such an impression on me that I wanted to pay her back. I wanted to make life easier for her as she aged.

“Of course, we can do that,” Fenling said. “Now, we need to seek out the seamstresses, so they can make a proper wardrobe for you. You’ll have to wear the castle colors, and you need to outfit yourself as is appropriate for a princess.” She laughed.“I’m so glad we met. You may not exactly be my sister-in-law, but you’re close enough. So, when are you getting married?”

“We were going to marry on the Summer Solstice, but the advisors want us married sooner.”

Bran had managed to locate most of the old Council and reinstate them.

“Are you all right with that?”

I nodded. “Yes. Bran promised me the wedding of my dreams, but we can still have that, and then have a private ceremony on the solstice. We’ll marry on the full moon.” I was content with the plans. “Will you stand with me at the altar?”

She ducked her head. “I’d like that.”

“I also want to track down my only friends in Renmark. If they are willing to travel, and if they’d like, I want them to gift them a bakery here. Sanya and Ren were the only ones who helped me when I escaped from Renmark, and I want to give them a better life.”

“I’d like to meet them,” Fenling said. “We’ll send a message, along with several guards. If they want to leave, they can return with our people.”

I paused, staring out one of the windows. “I’ve seen so much since I left Renmark…I don’t think I could ever go back.” And, as I watched the vendors in the courtyard, milling and going about their business, it struck me that I was no longer the girl who ran from the sheriff. And if I ever met him again, he’d know what it was to fear me.

Bran waited at the altar,with Quen and San by his side. Terok, the head shaman of the Wolf People, stood behind the altar, his robes and headdress on. The aisles were filled withpeople—all the Lorani who had survived Karehl’s purge were there. Most of the castle had gathered to witness our wedding.

I waited in the back, staring at the carpet that led up to the altar. While it wasn’t summer, my dress reflected the season. It was as green as the leaves on trees, with gold embroidery and an ivory corset lacing up the back. I wore a headdress of crystal flowers, all carved from semi-precious gems. My hair was loose, cascading down my back, and Fenling had rouged my cheeks and lips with berry stain.

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