Page 110 of The Prince and the Ice King

“I hope, dear sister,” Jack said as he hugged her, “that if Barclay is right, it is a happy reunion.”

But that would never be the ending Jack expected.

Reardon

Reardon couldn’t help it; as soon as Lombard’s horse reached the castle grounds, he leapt from the saddle and took off running for his father’s chambers. Everyone parted before him, some whispering loudly about the return of the prince, but nothing mattered other than reaching Henry.

Reardon burst into the room, unhindered by guards, to find several physicians, including Master Wells, at Henry’s bedside. He dismissed them all for now and raced to his father’s side, falling at the edge of the bed and taking his father’s hand.

“Reardon…?” Henry croaked, a shadow of his former self, pale and gaunt, in only a dressing gown beneath the damp sheets from what must have been a constant shift between chills and awful sweats.

“I’m here. I am sorry I’ve been gone for so long, but I had to go.”

“Go…? Where? Did the Ice King truly take you?”

“No. I was there, in the Frozen Kingdom. I went to find Barclay, but I was treated well, shown kindness, and asked to stay to better understand that place and end all this nonsense of offerings and fear over magic. I’ve learned so much, Father. Please, let me explain. I may yet be able to save you.”

He longed to tell his father everything about the castle and its curse, but he stuck to simpler truths about its people and the wonder of magicthat was nothing to fear—and eventually, he explained the hardest part, that he had fallen in love with the Ice King and had always longed for male company over a future queen.

“Surely, he bewitched you.”

“Everyone keeps saying that, but I swear I am in my right mind, and I know the truth of my heart. It has always been a man I longed to have at my side, Father. Please understand.”

“You’re young, confused, and wary of the responsibilities ahead of you.”

“I am not—”

“It’s the evil allure of magic,” Henry insisted, lifting his free hand to cup Reardon’s face. “You may not believe that now, but when its power fades, you will think clearly again.”

Tears pricked the edges of Reardon’s eyes, and he drew back to let his father’s hand fall. “Mother never condemned those who loved the same gender. She followed the old ways but hated them and might have changed them if she’d lived.”

“Because she was too kind and didn’t want to believe that love could be corruption.”

“Because itisn’t.”

“Reardon—”

“I never thought I could tell you. I feared I’d marry and live a hollow shell of a life as king. But if I can show everyone here that magic is not all dark and sinister, perhaps I can change more than I ever imagined and prove to you that love isnevercorruption, no matter what you think.

“First, I am going to work on the potion to save you.”

“Reardon….” Henry clung to his hand before he could rise.

“I love you, Father, even if you are misguided.” Reardon bent to kiss his father’s forehead, but then pried his hand from Henry’s grasp and turned to leave without giving an ear to another word his father might have said.

His destination now was the alchemist tower.

Jack

Josie left, but Jack still wore the blue doublet. He held Reardon’s emerald one in his lap, seated at his desk, wondering at all the different ways Reardon might return.

To say goodbye.

To start a war.

To be a new sacrifice if his father and kingdom shunned him.

Perhaps that could be a good ending, and the two of them could shutter away here forever. Jack didn’t need the curse broken, if he could have Reardon with him.

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