Page 33 of This Frozen Heart

“Yes, let’s move right to the cage I’ve feared my entire life.”

Kay ignores me, turning instead to the faintly appearing constellations, as though they might guide him in more than one way.

Chapter Seventeen

Kay

Gerta is as silent as the snow surrounding us as she lets me tug her forward, moving between sparse pine trees as we round Mount Schneekönigin. I’m not dragging her, but she is certainly trudging as slowly as she can behind me without pulling away.

I brace myself for a fight. Gerta is likely traveling with me this compliantly thus far because I have the only weapons between us and the Snow Queen might still hunt us. I have no illusion that she won’t turn against me the moment we are back in familiar territory. She’s just wise enough to conserve her energy now.

Still, I wish Gerta would fill the silence, not that I liked her last words, practical as they were.

It is true that I have not considered anything past keeping us both alive long enough to fulfill my mission of taking her to camp. I have long ago discovered that the only way I can accomplish a task is if I compartmentalize or the next steps become too emotionally overwhelming. “Only the next foothold” has been my life’s motto.

What I told her is true— Commander Mulleris a just man. Gerta will receive no penalty outside of thelaw.

However, in all his justice, Commander Mulleris not a merciful man. Whatever penalty he decides to give her will remain unchanged by the fact that she is a lady rather than a man. And while I know not the punishment he has designed, I know it will make an example of her.

Knowing Commander Muller’seye for an eye policy, he will likely deny her provisions. And knowing that she’s an orphan, she won’t be ransomed like prisoners from wealthier families. No, Gerta would only serve to be an example to parade around so that those with forbidden dreams and no funds to fuel them will remember their place.

I glance back at Gerta, her steps stiff from the trials this day forced upon her but her chin held high.

For a moment, I think I see a single tear flowing down her face. Then Gerta turns away, her golden braid flashing in the starlight as she shields her face from view.

She is both a fierce warrior and a fragile mortal. Her spirit is fiercer than mine because her body won’t heal as quickly yet she is still courageous.

Gerta is correct— everyone has the right to freedom. Mayhap there are some who forfeit it, but not her. At least, not by my code of law.

But it is no longer just my creed I must obey; I have sworn an oath to serve Constantinium. Even if it feels like my mission has shifted to keeping Gerta alive and well, that is not why I was sent. I have to turn her in, no matter how much it pains me.

Unless, of course, a compromise can be negotiated. After all, with no higher commanding officer nearby during this emergency situation, I do have that authority . . .

“Gerta, I have a proposition for you.”

She halts. “Pardon?”

I see what almost looks like a road ahead, and new excitement fills me. We’re almost clear— but first I need to sort outthe question of Gerta’s freedom so my conscience can remain unburdened. “It occurs to me that I cannot take in a guerilla rebel cell leader . . . if there is no such person to take in.”

Grinning like a fool, I whirl around to find Gerta staring at me like I’m an estrie.

She tugs at her hand. “First you proposition me, and now you’re threatening me? After everything we’ve been through together?!”

“I don’t understand.” I keep my grip on her, because I can’t let her go just yet. “Wait— you think I mean to execute you?”

“I have no idea what you mean to do!” Gerta continues to yank at her arm, and I’m half-afraid she’s going to dislocate it. “You just started speaking nonsense! Your really are adummkopf!”

This must be the escape attempt I was bracing for.

Lunging, I close the distance between us before Gerta can injure herself and grab her other hand as well, in case she tries to disarm me with our new proximity.

“Let me go before you go completely mad!” Gerta screams, and I’m half-afraid she’ll bring either the Snow Queen or another avalanche down on us.

“Iamletting you go! Once we agree to a few terms.”

Gerta stops fighting, going completely still like she wasn’t panicked at all. “You’rewhat?”

“I can’t take back a rebel leader when there is no rebel leader to take back, can I?”

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