Page 91 of The Alien's Cruel Starfrost Domain

“So that’s why the Ice Court is traveling across the duke’s land?”

“Of course.” As if she has suddenly realized who she’s talking to, Ramira tosses her head and spins away from me. “And I don’t blame His Highness for wanting to get as far away from the firelords as possible. They’re horrifying half-breeds. I’m sure he’s disgusted by them.”

“And also possibly afraid of them,” I murmur aloud to myself as the housemaid stalks away.

Of course, I don’t have anything to prove that theory. But if my suspicions are right, and the prince fears dragons, then I want to talk to one of these firelords even more than before.

But first, I have to figure out how to get to them.

For a brief time, I think that maybe I will be able to backtrack along whatever trail Prince Jonyk and his entourage left behind them in their trek down from the mountain pass.

But apparently Jonyk and all his people went back to using their Caix magic to fly the instant they left the mountain pass, because they all arrive from the air. Those guests with their own wings fly themselves in, and the rest ride in on a variety of winged and otherwise magically flying animals.

I only see all this because I’m outside inviting Fintan into the kitchen for our usual afternoon tea—today, a reward for all the work we’ve done to prepare for this party—when the Ice Court,sans prince, arrives.

“Inside,” Fintan says gruffly, ushering me in front of him. “Now.”

As he pulls the kitchen door closed behind us, I catch a glimpse of one of the Icecaix in the prince’s retinue, and we make eye contact. He’s small, roughly the size of a human child, maybe a kindergartener—but this guy is obviously full-grown.

I don’t know what to call this one, since he’s not like any of the other Caix I’ve seen. But like the rest of the Icecaix, he has white-blond hair and pale skin. His eyes are oversized and slightly bulbous, his ears long and pointed, and when he flashes a cruel grin at me, his teeth are sharply pointed; I’m certain there are more of them in his mouth than there ought to be.

“Don’t let any of them catch you alone,” Fintan says, and I nod emphatically. That single, hungry stare was enough to convince me I need to steer clear of whatever will be partying in Starfrost Manor tonight.

The house erupts in a flurry of activity as the Icecaix are shown to their quarters and the duke’s household prepares to host the revels that their prince will not be attending.

But I can’t allow any of that to change my own plans.

Less than an hour later, the Ice Court descends on Ivrael’s banquet hall. Taking Fintan’s advice, I hunker down in the kitchen with him, Adefina, and Kila.

Right up until the moment Oriana shows up, demanding my assistance in particular.

“I can help you,” Adefina says to her, stepping between us.

“It has to be the human.” Oriana’s mock-sad tone sets my teeth on edge. “The Court is eager to see His Lordship’s pet.”

Fintan starts to move forward, but I forestall him with a hand on his arm.

“I’ll go,” I say. “The duke won’t let anything happen to me.” I don’t know if that’s actually true, but it mollifies Fintan and Adefina.

Good. I don’t want either of them getting hurt in my place.

“I’m coming, too,” Kila announces, grabbing a toothpick and brandishing it like a sword. “If anyone tries anything, I’ll poke their eyes out.”

“No.” I cast about for something that might convince her to stay behind. I believed Ramira when she said she used to pull the wings off of rayas for fun, and the Ice Court Caix I watched arriving earlier looked even crueler than that.

Dropping my voice, I lead her into a corner of the kitchen. “I need you to stay behind to protect Adefina.”

Kila’s shoulders slump, and I can’t tell if it’s in relief or dismay. “Are you certain?”

“Positive. I can take care of myself. I’m not sure about her.”

Kila sets her jaw and squares her shoulders. “All right. We’ll be here when you return.”

As I follow Oriana through the door into the main house, she glances over her shoulder at me with a smirk. “Sure you don’t want to bring your raya with you? The food table might be getting a little low. And the duke’s guests would probably enjoy something crunchy. Like raya bones.”

My stomach heaves with the combination of nerves and horror at her words, and I swallow hard, taking a deep breath before we go through the door into the banquet hall. The whole room glitters, and the ice-dragon’s frozen wings stretch out to the sides of the table practically groaning under all the food it’s laden with.

So much for Oriana’s thought that they might need more to eat.

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