Page 107 of The Prince and the Ice King

At first raising his hands to show he held no weapons, Reardon slowly reached down to retrieve his dagger and held it aloft. “When you gave methis on my eighteenth birthday, you told me to keep it close, always. I may have misplaced it a time or two, Bardy, but I did not fail you.”

There was a long pause, yet Lombard must have deemed the dagger and Reardon’s words enough, for he dismounted, removed his helmet to set it on his saddle, and approached Reardon.

He was handsome, about Reardon’s same height, like Jack, and built similarly too. He was older, a few years older than Jack had been before the curse, but proud and dashing.

As Lombard neared Reardon, Jack was ready to leap from the window and launch an icy attack if this was a trick, but all the man did was loose his hands from the hilts of his weapons and embrace Reardon boldly.

“I have missed you, my prince.”

Reardon hugged him back just as tightly. “I missed you too. Let’s go home.”

A stinging chill pierced Jack’s chest like the first rays of dawn.

Lombard led Reardon to his horse, replaced his helmet, and helped Reardon into the saddle behind him. Reardon was leaving without a fuss—without saying goodbye.

“Majesty!”

Jack turned slowly to the entrance of his throne room. It was Oliver, and Jack expected to see Zephyr, but Josie and the rest of the court had arrived too.

“Barclay had a vision,” Oliver said. “The prince believes he must return to the Emerald Kingdom to prevent a war. I have my men on the ramparts, awaiting orders. What should we do?”

War?Maybe that was true, but Reardon would have had to go eventually anyway. “There is no need to fire on them or pursue. The prince is going of his own accord. Now leave me.” Jack turned back to the window to watch the retreating horses.

Not once did Reardon turn back, but held onto Lombard’s waist.

Jack could no longer hear them, and the eerie silence dug the ice in his chest deeper.

“It’s a ruse,” Zephyr said. “To bide time and speak with his father.”

“We didn’t finish the potion,” Liam announced. “He has to come back.”

“Of course he’s coming back,” Branwen growled.

Jack didn’t say anything.

“Jack?” Josie spoke more softly than the others.

Still Jack said nothing, staring after the emerald banners until they were but specks in the distance. He heard the others start to leave and finally turned his head again.

“Oliver,” Jack called, halting the fletcher’s leave. “Accompany me to the library to replace the book on the pedestal.” He nodded toPillars of Virtuelying closed but with its page marked with ribbon on the steps leading up to his throne. “I would like to read today.”

“Of course, Majesty,” Oliver said. “Zephyr….”

“I’ll let the archers know to stand down.” Zephyr nodded and vanished with a frown.

Josie, Liam, and Branwen were all without words as Oliver came forward to do as Jack had asked. Slowly, Jack trudged into the tunnels with Oliver following. There was no point in waiting for Reardon to finish the book, and besides, Jack knew how the story went. It was not a happily ever after between star-crossed lovers but came to a practical end.

Like everything in the real world.

Reardon

Reardon had nearly forgotten the drudgery of the days’ travel to and from the Frozen Kingdom. Almost three days normally, and still a long two if moving swiftly, the journey was grueling. Reardon had no potion with him to help against the cold, only his cloak and extra blankets packed by the soldiers.

The heat of Lombard’s body helped more than any blanket draped over his shoulders, but even that heat wasn’t much comfort, because the chill in Reardon’s heart grew colder the farther they got from the castle.

They rode all day, with minimal stops, and not once did Lombard ask anything about Reardon’s time away. Reardon couldn’t tell him the truth anyway. He’d promised to keep the secrets of the castle and its curse until he saved them from it.

Reardon had to foster change, prove all was well, and return to Jack to break the curse once and for all.

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