Page 101 of A Shard of Ice

“It’s probably just a misunderstanding,” Merna adds.

“I’m sure it is.” I smile. “Let me go with them. I will be back in no time.”

Elsie doesn’t look too sure, but she nods, her eyes filled with worry. The guard leads me out of the house, with the other two following closely behind.

“Do not attempt to run,” the guard walking next to me says needlessly since I wouldn’t get more than a few steps.

We garner looks of concern as I am led down the hallway. Does this have to do with seeing Hali earlier today? Perhaps it had to do with requesting a position at the castle. If it is the latter, I might be able to talk my way out of it. If Hali has said anything, I could be in real trouble. This is one eventuality Damon and I didn’t see coming. I have no idea what happens at the entrance to the Ice Court. I was supposed to have signed in. I know nothing about the process or about what the entrance even looks like.

I sigh. I will have to do my best. If I end up jailed or worse, so be it. They may even send me back to the salt mines since I escaped. I hope not. We knew that this was a possibility. I knew.

It doesn’t matter to me. As long as Damon is far away from here. As long as he does all the things he said he would. He and the rest of the lost kings. If my life ends up being sacrificed, then so be it. I hate it, but in the greater scheme of things, it’s the better option.

Go, Damon. Ride like the wind.

I will face whatever comes my way head-on.

34

Kyrie

I’m in a room made from ice. Everything is ice, and yet it doesn’t melt. Even the bars on the doors and windows are ice.

I’m sitting at a table made from ice and on a chair made from the ice, too. It’s warm. The walls glow. Nothing melts, even though I am sitting on the chair.

Across from me is the guard who fetched me. His name is Vander. He is an imposing figure; his bright green eyes are fixed on me as he studies my every move.

“The Ice Court does not take kindly to unauthorized entries, especially from humans,” he says. “You have some explaining to do.”

I swallow hard, my mind racing to find a way out of this mess. How could I have been so foolish to think I could simply walk into the Ice Court without consequences?

“For the tenth time. I came with a group. If my entry was not noted, that isn’t my fault. Why am I being held accountable? I mean, I apologize for any confusion,” I say tentatively. “I reallywas under the impression that my arrival had been noted.” It won’t help if I anger him. I need to tread carefully.

“Well, it wasn’t.” He narrows his eyes. “It wasn’t noted because you didn’t come through the main entrance to the Ice Court.”

“Of course I did.”

“What time of day?”

“I don’t remember exactly.”

“Morning, after lunch, was it toward sunset? When? You must have an idea.”

“Afternoon…I think,” I blurt.

Vander rubs his chin. “Really now?”

I groan. “Please. What do you want from me?”

“I want you to tell the truth.” He hits the ice table with both his hands. His eyes are blazing.

“I am telling the truth!” I yell. “I’m sorry, I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”

“I worked the main gate all day yesterday, and I didn’t see you.”

Kakara’s cat!

“I took a five-minute break sometime before lunch. Before lunch, girl! Not after. I didn’t see you. I would have remembered you if I had. What do you say to that?”

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