Page 3 of This Frozen Heart

“No.” Still, I flip the looking glass, letting it catch the setting sunlight so that Wolf can see.

She nods, and her tiny form slips into the sparse bushes that grow in defiance to the constant snow and ice.

A moment later, a monstrosity three times her size emerges. It stands on hind legs, with its back arched forward. Claws hang from the front paws and saliva drips from the snout.

It’s been a while since we reminded these Imparias how wild we can be. It’s time to refresh their memories.

Smalls nestles himself into a snowdrift as he prepares his crossbow. I flatten myself on my stomach so I won’t be spotted easily as they pass us just ten feet below.

Then Wolf charges into the path in her horrifying werwölfe form, which isn’t her actually namesake. Instead, she is an elongated snow leopard that stands on her back legs, with her drooping arms arched in front of her, ready to slash our enemies.

The horses whinny in panic. The two guarding the first wagon rear, tossing both riders.

Biggs and Prince will neutralize the other two riders, but unlike Smalls, I don’t get to stay up here and make sure everything goes according to plan. I have my own role to fulfill.

I jump off the ledge, bracing myself as I plummet toward the first wagon.

The cloth covering gives way beneath me, only slowing my fall but not breaking it. Unfortunately, my feet tangle with the cloth, and I tip backward. Then I continue falling.

I crash into the wagon, awkwardly landing on its inventory. The impact on my spine isn’t nearly as painful as I was expecting, so I take that as a victory.

“I heard this territory was wickedly untamed . . .”

Startling at the masculine voice so close, I turn to find a dark blue eyes, which I’m told are the color of the summer sky, staring down at me from a hard face that is rosy from the cold.

It takes me longer to realize that the arms that go along with that voice are partially cradling me. I didn’t fall onto inventory— I crashed into this strange man’s lap.

This strange man who is wearing a teal blue uniform and a bemused expression. “But they certainly did not tell me that it was so wild that maidens rained down from the Heavens!”

Chapter Two

Gerta

My body aches from the fall, and my thoughts haven’t quite caught up with me. But I make myself scramble out of the enemy’s arms all the same.

I stumble backward, tripping over the torn cloth covering and catching myself on the wagon frame opposite the Constantinium soldier. “Stay back!”

He stares calmly back at me from his seat, rubbing his thighs that I crashed into. “Ma’am, I haven’t moved from this place since we met. Why would you expect me to do so now?”

My jaw drops at the courtesy title. There are no ranks in our company, and our enemies have only ever used insults to address us. Mayhap he is dazed from my sudden entrance? In another moment or two, though, he will realize I’m wearing a woolen tunic and leggings rather than a dress like the lady in the wagon behind us. Worse, the fur cap on my head marks me as a Gaelic freedom fighter. He’ll realize his mistake then and quickly seek to remedy it.

I reach for the knife sheathed on my belt so that I’ll be ready.

The soldier— a captain, if the golden sun emblem keeping his fur cloak in place is anything to go by— just points to himself. “I’m Kay, by the way.”

“Wh-what?”

“My name. It’s Kay. It’s a privilege to make your acquaintance.”

I glance around the wagon, which has a few barrels tied down and not much else. “Do you know who I am?”

“No, but I’m hoping you’ll tell me. Your name is . . .?”

“You have got to be jesting.”

“I am not. I rarely jest.” Kay stares back at me, his face as expressionless as the barrels. “I sincerely desire to know your name.”

“This isn’t a pub where introductions are made. This is awagon.”

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