Page 1 of Midwinter Wiles & Valerian Dreams
Chapter 1
Talvie
For the first time in ages, I regret going to bed alone. If I'd chosen a suitor at last night's revel like my stepmother demanded, then I'd have more than a fading dream of a handsome fae to shield me from the man shaking me awake.
Oh, I'm sure some folk would swoon at a rugged male in their chambers, with the smell of woodsmoke and leather tickling their senses. Unfortunately, I know that scent all too well. That calloused hand doesn't stir temptation, only irritation.
What good is being a princess if I can't even sleep in?
“Go away, Beron.”
With a groan, I burrow my face deeper in my luxurious blankets. I feel like I barely slept, my veins still thrumming with music and faerie wine. A beat pounds at my temple.
The hand shakes me harder. Where's my dagger? Maybe I’ll summon an ice spear to convey my displeasure. Too bad Beron's the one who taught me to wield my magic…plus his reflexes are legendary. It’s been years since we had morning training, sothere’s no good reason for the Head Huntsman to wake me so early.
“What in theDeepdo you want, Beron?”
“Up, Talvie. Get dressed.” Beron’s voice is unyielding.
Blinking fully awake, I find myself face-to-face with the stern and frowning man.Someoneis not in a tolerant mood this morning. Well, that makes two of us.
Beron was my father's Head Huntsman before he served my stepmother, but he remained in the role for the queen after the king’s death. Come to think of it, the last time Beron woke me personally was three years ago, to inform me that their hunting party had returned with my father’s body. Hot panic twists my belly, and I scan his clothes. No blood stains…not like that day.
It’s fine.
Everything is fine.
Besides, Queen Taynia hates me now, so it’s not like I should care if anything happened toher.
My pulse races through my throbbing head.
I refuse to care.
I’m sure my lovely, spiteful stepmother just wants to berate me for whatever new sin she’s decided I’ve committed.
Storms, sometimes I wish I didn’talwayshave to be Princess Talvie of the Hinterlands. I wouldn’t mind slipping into the shadows, just existing somewhere outside of Taynia’s icy glares. Everything I do here is wrong, so what’s the point?
Beron’s usual frown is in place, but there’s something cold about his expression this morning. Less the man I’ve delighted in annoying since childhood, and more the merciless hunter who never misses.
I scowl, flopping back on the bed. “Whatever this is, couldn’t it wait? The sun isn’t even up yet. Lumi is still glowing with moonlight.”
He responds by thrusting a heavy traveling cloak directly at my head. “We’re going to the summer palace. Queen’s orders.”
“What?” Shoving the cloak off me, I rub my eyes to give him the incredulous look this statement deserves. “Why? The summer palace is just as frozen as it is here.” I gesture at the frost webbing across the windows. It’s been the same every morning for the past three years of endless winter. “Does my stepmother-dearest hope I’ll freeze to death so she doesn’t have to bother being horrible to me anymore? It must take such effort, being so wretched all the time.”
Queen Taynia was once like a mother to me, far more than the woman I don’t remember who died when I was a baby. A familiar pang lances my chest. We used to laugh together. Do crafts, brush each other’s hair, ride out in the fields.
Since my father’s death, Taynia can’t stand the sight of me. Now, she nitpicks my every move, finds fault in every word, and ices me out, sometimes literally since her ice magic is stronger than mine.
Beron doesn’t respond, just stands there, holding out the cloak like a command.
With a huff, I push myself out of bed to snatch it from his hands. “She’s evil. If the queen wants me up at this hour, the least she could do is send a servant with tea. Or a better explanation.”
Still nothing.
I shuffle to the largest wardrobe to find something warm enough to make up for being out of bed. Heavy trousers will do. Since Taynia had all my nice, long tunics destroyed a fortnight ago after I wore one with nothing but leggings, I have only stiff, itchy tops left. Forget that.
I tuck my nightdress into the trousers’ waistband like a shirt. Yes, Taynia would screech about proper ladies’ wear, but I can’tbring myself to care right now. I’ll cover it with a fur-lined tunic and the traveling cloak to stay cozy, then no one’s the wiser.
