Page 88 of Kiss of Ice

“Maybe. But you know what, father? I don’t blame him.” She turned to go.

“I haven’t finished with you, Morenna.”

“But I’m finished with you. I’m going back to the palace. You can attend the wedding, there’d be too much talk if you didn’t. But after that, father, you won’t be welcome any more.”

Salaq came towards her angrily, crystal blue clouds swirling around him.

“You will not speak to me like that. You’ll do as I say. You’re my daughter.”

“And you’re a traitor!”

The words left her mouth before she could take them back and she saw her father’s face darken. He lashed out without thinking, snapping a whipcord of steel blue towards her. She tried to turn from it but it slammed into her torso, slashing across her ribs in a blinding burst of agony.

She cried out and fell to the floor, clutching her side. Salaq’s face drained.

“Morenna!” He started towards her but she raised a hand.

“Keep away from me.”

“I didn’t mean to hurt you. Please, let me call the healer. He will tend to you.”

“You’ve done enough.” Ren staggered to her feet. She was bruised and sore, and couldn’t quite catch her breath, but she refused to stay at Valkar for another second. She limped to the door.

“Morenna, you’re being ridiculous. It’s late. Stay the night and travel back to the palace in the morning.”

“I’m not staying under the same roof as you ever again.” She looked at him and he flinched at her expression. “I thought you were a hero. Mother did too. Guess we were both wrong.”

She closed the door behind her, leaving her father alone in his castle.

Thirty Six

Kam paced irritably. Should he go and see her? Or should he take the dresser’s advice and leave her to calm down?

Damn it to the seven hells. This indecision was intolerable. He should at least check on her. Make sure she was okay. He strode to the royal guest quarters, nodding at the guards on the door.

“Anything to report?” he asked. The guards shook their heads.

“Not a peep from her, your Majesty. There was food delivered some time ago but she hasn’t touched it.” Kam saw the tray still outside the door of the bedchamber.

“I’ll take it in to her.”

If the guards were wondering why the future Empress was confined to her room, they were wise enough not to ask. Silently, they opened the door and Kam went in bearing the covered tray.

Ruth was sitting on the chaise longue, knitting. Kam was nonplussed. He’d expected Ren to be alone.

“What are you doing here?” he asked. She held up the ball of wool.

“Making a jumper. Though I may have to use some magic to make it look like one.”

Kam glanced towards the ablution room. The door was closed. Ren must be in there, he thought. He put the tray on the dressing table to wait for her. The minutes ticked by, punctuated only by the clicking of Ruth’s needles.

“Thank you for your advice earlier,” he said eventually. “But I decided I should speak to her. We are to be married, after all.”

“A wise decision, I’m sure.” Ruth lay down her knitting. “Now may not be the best time, but since you’re here, your Majesty, may I put in a formal request for a royal audience?”

“An audience? With who?”

“With the Witch’s Council. There’s something that needs to be discussed. A matter of importance.”

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