Page 167 of A Lord of Snow and Greed

Clemencia stopped before a closed door. “He takes his breakfasts in here when he stays the night.”

My ears perked up. “How often does he visit?”

Her eyes crinkled slightly at the corners. “We really had not been here long when you arrived. You know, with the travel time and all. So he’s only visited twice, two days in a row.”

“That’s a lot for someone who should be at court.” I elbowed her gently. “You know, by orders of the king.”

Pink roses bloomed on the apples of her high cheekbones. “He has things to do here. And it’s not like he takes a lot of time to get back to Avaldenn.”

“Things to do.Riiiight.” I laughed. “I bet he just wants to flirt with you.”

“I won’t deny that there’s some of that too.” Clemencia patted down her skirts. “Now, don’t you have something important to ask him?”

“I’m noting this deflection, and you can be sure that I plan on asking you more about the two of you later,” I teased and tapped my temple. “But yes, you’re right, I should get on with it.”

I knocked on the door.

“Come on in!” Luccan called out.

We let ourselves into a bedroom and found Luccan wearing a thick robe, his dark red hair pouring over his shoulders as he read a book.

“Good morning,” I said.

He stiffened and lifted his eyes from the book. “Ah, Princess Neve and Lady Clemencia.” He pulled his robe tighter over his broad chest. “Apologies for my state. Ithought you were the servant bringing me my tea and biscuits.”

“Afraid not,” I said. “Just us.”

“Which is quite good enough.” Luccan rose and began picking up his books. “To what do I owe this visit?”

“No need to tidy up.” I took a few more steps into the room, which was spotless and sparse. Like in the rest of the home, there was no sign of ice spider imagery to represent the now noble House of Riis. I wondered if the castle Lord Riis lived in—one that I suspected might have been my mother’s ancestral home—crawled with those mysterious eight-legged creatures. “I have a favor to ask of you and then I’ll leave you to your breakfast.”

Luccan straightened. “If I can help, I will. Also, my father spoke for our family yesterday, giving you an assurance that we would keep your secret, but I want you to know that I plan to remain your friend, Neve.”

My heart stuttered. Any relationship with me puts him at significant risk. If the king learned who I was—or more likely,whenhe learned who I was, if my budding ambitions went to plan— and that Luccan was aiding me, that would spell his death sentence. But I didn’t need to tell Luccan that for I was certain he already knew.

“Even though Vale despises me?” I asked because despite all the other reasons for him to shy away, that one seemed like it would be very important to Luccan. “You two are so close.”

“We are. And for the record, I doubt he despises you. Rather, he’s in shock.”

I’d have been worried if he wasn’t but going throughthe emotions of our falling-out felt very different from expecting them. “Well, I am thankful for your friendship. It’s more than I could ask for.”

Luccan looked like he wished to say something more, but I wanted to get on with my request, so I plowed onward.

“I came here to ask you to create a gateway to the west. To Guldtown.”

Red eyebrows drew together. “You wish to see Lord Roar?”

“To confront him,” I corrected. “I’ve wanted to since he left me high and dry at Frostveil, but when I saw my mother in my . . .” What did one call what I’d experienced?

“My vision,” I settled on, “she said to go west. I think she wants me to get closure.”

So I can move on to other things, bigger things. Like finding the Ice Scepter and helping the fae of Winter’s Realm.

I kept those thoughts to myself. Before I shared what my heart wanted most, I needed a plan.

“I can understand that,” Luccan said. “However, at my skill level, making a gateway takes me weeks. It’s why I haven’t made that many, just those connecting my family’s properties.”

My mouth fell open. “Weeks? But it would take less time to ride!”

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