Page 107 of Burning Crowns

‘And his crew,’ said Rose.

‘Should we go and help?’ Shen asked.

‘Absolutely not,’ said Kai. ‘You do what you like, but I am staying right here where it’s warm.’

After dinner, Greta made a pot of tea. Kai paced back and forth in the small space as if he himself was a trapped Gevran beast, while Celeste and Anika snuggled together under a sheepskin blanket. Rose stared out of the window at the falling snow, wondering where Oonagh could possibly be going next, and just how many more graveyards she planned to disturb on her way.

Would she be appearing in Anadawn sooner than she had promised? Or did she have something even more terrible up her sleeve? It unnerved Rose that she didn’t know. That she couldn’t even guess.

‘I’m afraid we’re running low on firewood,’ said Greta, returning from the store in the kitchen. ‘We’ve not been able to gather any for fear of running into the witch.’

‘I’ll fetch some,’ said Shen, rising to his feet. ‘Kai?’

Kai shook his head. ‘The snow is no place for a desert-born stud like me.’

‘Ever gallant,’ muttered Celeste.

He shot her a blistering look. ‘I don’t see you volunteering, birdwatcher.’

‘I’m busy,’ said Celeste, snuggling up next to Anika.

‘She is warming the princess of Gevra,’ said Anika, primly. ‘Which is a task of equal import.’

‘I’ll go with you,’ said Rose, standing and fetching a cloak from the wall. She passed another to Shen. She was starting to feel antsy inside the little cabin and didn’t mind the thought of the snow outside. Perhaps the outdoors would do her some measure of good, and besides, she was always happy to spend more time alone with Shen.

They ventured into the falling snow, hand in hand, looking for firewood. ‘I have to admit, I think Kai was right about the snow,’ said Shen, shivering violently.

‘Oh, surely you aren’t afraid of a little bad weather?’ Rose teased.

‘I’m notafraidof it,’ he said, gingerly picking his way through a large snowdrift. ‘I just don’t like to lose my footing.’

‘It snows at Anadawn sometimes,’ said Rose, fondly. ‘Not like this. But every couple of winters, the palace will get a light dusting of snow. It makes everything look quite beautiful.’

‘I suppose we can agree on that,’ said Shen, gently brushing the snowflakes from her shoulders. ‘If I have to be out in it,I’m glad I’m with you. We can keep each other warm, at least.’

Rose smiled. ‘I never feel cold when I’m with you.’

They carried on until they reached the edge of the wood, where the spindly trunks looked spectral in the darkening night.

‘I can break off some of these low branches,’ said Shen, circling the nearest tree. ‘They should work for firewood.’

‘I’ll gather the ones on the ground,’ said Rose. A chill that had nothing to do with the weather stole through her as she knelt in the snow. She could almost sense the shadow of her ancestor stalking alongside her, pulling corpses from the frozen earth. The image was so violent, it stole Rose’s breath. She fell back on her heels, gasping for air.

Shen stilled. ‘Rose?’

‘I’m frightened, Shen.’

He was beside her in the next heartbeat. ‘I’m with you. I’m right here.’

She turned, laying her forehead against his, and tried to give voice to the great swell of her fear. ‘I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to lose anyone.’

‘You won’t,’ said Shen. ‘I promise.’

Rose closed her eyes, wishing she could believe him.

When they returned to the cabin with a large bundle of firewood, Kai greeted them at the door. ‘Welcome back, woodcutters. While you were out smooching in the snow, we came up with a plan.’

‘What kind of plan?’ Rose frowned, looking past him.

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