Page 52 of The Prince and the Ice King

“I was so grateful to Nigel for healing my hands, I forgot all about reclaiming my dagger. I promised to steal it back. I don’t know how stealthy I can be, though. I tried to be with Widow Caitlin, and she caught me straight off.”

“I know.” Zephyr glanced back again. “I saw.”

“In my defense, I was stealthy enough to swap places with the sacrifice!”

“Were you? Or was it because the guards were terrible? Caitlin is good. Nigel is better. If you want to steal that dagger back, you’ll need to catch him unawares.”

“Best I learn the castle without getting lost, then.”

“There are other ways. Do you know how I sneak around so easily?”

“You’re an invisible wind?”

An airy chuckle responded. “Also….” Zephyr stopped before they crested another corner to tap a place on the wall that opened into the secret passageways.

“Of course.” Reardon peered inside. “The king showed me. Is it okay to use these?”

“As long as you’re invited. Left to start. I’ll direct you so you can learn.”

Reardon nodded gratefully and ducked inside. As they went, he noticed elemental markings on the floor and walls that he hadn’t noticed with the king. There were ice trails, but also scorch marks and occasional swaths of gold.

“Right next,” Zephyr said. “These are important skills to learn, you know. Stealth. Subterfuge. Misdirection.”

“Are you teaching me to be a thief?”

“Isn’t that what you asked? And if you want to avoid being targeted by a real one again, you should know how they operate. You can’t tiptoe after someone and think you’re invisible. Left.”

The direction came so seamlessly, Reardon almost missed it, but turned left at the next fork.

“Balance is important to better distribute your weight. Even your breathing too. Most people breathe louder when they’re trying to be quiet. Find your shadows, the person’s blind spot, and consider ways to distract them toward the opposite direction of your approach.”

Reardon attempted to do all those things as Zephyr mentioned them, even as he was still safely in the passageways.

“And finally—stop. Listen for the right cues, almost like meditation, to drown out everything but what you want to hear—withoutclosing your eyes.”

Reardon had been about to close them but resisted, keeping as still as he could with even breaths. He could hear Nigel! And Barclay! They were just ahead, almost directly beyond another secret door.

Whenever they opened, they did so silently, so Reardon took the risk and pressed his palm against it. Not a sound came as the door slid open, and Nigel and Barclay’s voices grew louder. They were discussingReardonand where he might be, since no one had seen him since morning.

Pausing before stepping out, Reardon considered the way their voices carried. Barclay clearly faced toward him, but Nigel must be facedaway, which was when Reardon noticed the alcove across from him. For once, Barclay not being able to school his expressions might help.

Reardon stepped into the corridor, waving to get Barclay’s attention. He looked immediately startled, prompting Reardon to dart quickly to the opposite side of the hall.

“What?” Nigel asked, turning as Reardon had expected.

“I, uh….”

“Is someone in the passage?” Nigel approached it, left open with no sign of Zephyr, bringing him perfectly into view of Reardon with all his attention elsewhere.

Reardon swept forward, reaching for his dagger—

—only for Nigel to spin, grab his wrists, and twist. The next thing Reardon knew, he was on his back, staring up at his friend’s face.

“Sneak!” Nigel cried joyously. “You almost had me! Who showed you the tunnels?” He helped Reardon up with a firm hoist of his forearms, and the way he and Barclay laughed made it impossible for Reardon to feel like a failure.

“The king did first.” Zephyr appeared, just suddenly there like always.

Nigel’s smile dropped.

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