Page 8 of This Frozen Heart

“For transporting prisoners. One cuff for the prisoner and one for the guard. Once upon a time, I was to be take the latter role rather than the former.”

Smalls snorts. “That’s ridiculous. What makes the guard any different from the prisoner, then?”

“It depends who holds the key.” Kay offers a patronizing smile. “I told you it was most helpful.”

“How about we just chain you to a tree branch instead?” Smalls glances around, like tree branches aren’t brittle enough to be broken by a determined man wielding metal. Even if Kay doesn’t seem very determined at all.

“I’ll just wear it,” I offer, picking up the other cuff and about dropping it when I feel how cold it truly is. “My prisoner; my problem.”

Smalls frowns. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea, Gertie.”

“Of course it is. If it’s good enough for the uppity Imparias,it’s good enough for us.” I hold out my left wrist for Smalls to begrudgingly place the cuff over my sleeve. “Besides, this is how it was always meant to be, wasn’t it, Kay?”

Kay nods. “This is poetic justice.”

I take the key from Smalls, who is muttering about my impulsivity. Then I slide it into the pouch hanging off my belt, where I keep the few coins we come across.

“Ayo!”

At Prince’s exclamation, I turn. I half expect to see that the Snow Queen has come for him after all.

Instead, he struts toward us with a bottle of ale in each hand. “It looks like they wanted to distract those soldiers from starvation with the real stuff.”

“That was from my personal store,” Kay offers. “To celebrate with brother-in-law when my sister announced the glad tidings.”

“Well, I don’t know about you fellows, but . . .” Prince wrestles with the cap of one of the bottles. “But I’m mighty glad that good ol’e Kay here is an uncle. I say it’s time to celebrate!”

Chapter Five

Gerta

If there is one thing we do not mind Constantinium importing across our borders, it’s their ale. It brings warmth deeper than any fire can offer and adds mirth to the soul so often dampened without the sun.

I can’t keep the grin off my face as Wolf, Prince, and Biggs jubilantly dance around the fire. Smalls would be with them, except he’s already passed out in the cave. Despite being the biggest of us, he holds his liquor the worst.

It’s a familiar scene every time we get a little extra ale. By the end of the night, Biggs will once again attempt to confess his “love” to Wolf, who will once again turn him down. Prince will spend that time yelling into the night, hoping the Snow Queen can hear him tell her he joined our clan just so he could be nearer to her.

Shaking my head, I turn to grab the bottle of ale I reserved for myself. I frown when I can’t find it. How could I misplace that of all things? How wasteful of me. The liquor deserved better.

“Looking for this?”

I turn to find Kay sitting on the log beside me, holding the missing bottle. There it is. I could have sworn I put it on my other side to keep it out of Kay’s reach. He could use it as a weapon if he wanted to, after all . . . which wouldalsobe wasteful.

Instead of hitting me over the head with it, Kay brings it to his mouth— even thoughI’vebeen drinking from it directly. Now both our lips have touched the same thing.

“Hey!” I cry, trying to swipe it, only to miss completely. I can’t help the fresh burst of giggles that rises at my newfound clumsiness. “That’s mine!”

“Pretty sure it’smine, but I can share.”

“Sharing is like kissing, though.”

Kay purses his lips. “No, I don’t think it is.” He turns to face me better, the chain dangling from the log between us.

I stare at the hand grasping the ale. Then I take his other hand and bring it to my lips.

“I think you grabbed the wrong hand.”

“Hard to tell,” I say, wondering when he removed his glove. “Because kissing is just like drinking.”

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