Page 97 of Fated to the Frost King

Before I could assure her that I was in no danger of death by malnutrition, a soft, familiar knock interrupted us.

Nevara was early today.

Mirelda furrowed her brow as she crossed the room, easing open the door. My breath stilled in my chest.

Had Nevara Seen something?

But she walked in with footsteps that were slow to the point of hesitance, nothing in her stance implying urgency.

“Mirelda,” she greeted her with a nod.

She tapped her staff lightly before turning toward me.

“Everly.” She said my name like a greeting as well, but there was something strained in the word.

“Nevara,” I returned cautiously.

I hadn’t been sure where we stood since the attack, with her strange reticence at the Heartstone Ceremony and again in the War Room. I was even less sure now with this uncharacteristic…whatever this was.

She perched on the edge of an armchair near the fire, balancing her staff lightly against her legs.

An uncomfortable silence descended, during which Mirelda took the chance to shuffle out, laying the gown she had chosen over the screen. Whether it was cowardly or considerate, I couldn’t decide.

Nevara cleared her throat once Mirelda was gone. “I don’t See everything.”

It was vague, even for her, but there was something almost vulnerable in her tone. I reflected on the distance she had kept since the attack…not because she had Seen something that made her hate me.

But because she felt guilty about what she hadn’t Seen?

“I know that. I never blamed you,” I told her earnestly.

And I hadn’t. Though her absence had stung, I had never once faulted her for not warning me. She hadn’t asked to be the Visionary and she didn’t choose what she Saw.

Her shoulders relaxed, even as her lips turned downward.

“Sometimes you do.” Her voice was quiet enough that I might not have thought she meant me to hear, except that Nevara only ever said precisely what she meant to.

It didn’t sound like an accusation, so much as a prediction. She had told me once that the future wasn’t linear. It branched out like a tree. Were there other branches where I was more resentful?

Or was that still to come?

“I wouldn’t,” I said firmly.

She smiled sadly, then sat up straighter, shaking her head. “I didn’t come just to be morose. We have to leave earlier today since Master Barton is having a conniption over your absence these past several days.”

I sighed, standing to let Batty out the window. “I’ll be sure to apologize to him for having the gall to be attacked by a Mirrorbane.”

“He would appreciate it,” she assured me.

Her eyes swirled, and she amended. “Will.”

I let out a small laugh. “The Shard Mother thought you needed to see Master Barton?”

“Yes, she has a surprising sense of humor sometimes.”

It was odd to hear someone talk about the Goddess of our realm like she was a personal friend. Especially when I had enjoyed rather the opposite relationship with said Goddess.

“You don’t have to tell me,” I muttered, not quite as fondly as Nevara had.

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