Page 6 of Kiss of Ice

Immediately she made for the other side, intending to jump out and run as fast as she could. The handle didn’t move.

Fuck.She looked around her prison.

The carriage was the size of a small room, with gold-inlaid wood and plush velvet banquettes. There was a built-in cupboard at one side and in a fit of curiosity she pulled it open. Racks of bottles gleamed at her, quite clearly containing wines and meads. She wondered if she dared have a quick drink.

The satchel clinked as she slumped into a seat. She clutched at it guiltily. What if she was searched? Right now the Emperor just thought she was just making a nuisance of herself. If he discovered she was a thief, she could be in serious trouble.

Anxiously, she fiddled with the ring on her finger. It had belonged to her mother and she always sought comfort from it when she was nervous. Now she rotated it round and round, finding calm in the repetitive motion.

Her only advantage was that he didn’t know who she was. She had to keep it that way.

Three

Kam watched the hooded figure being marched off, then turned to the Chief Healer.

“Let’s talk privately, shall we?”

Smiling ingratiatingly, the healer led him to an office. Kam’s guards took up position outside the door.

“I assure you, your Majesty, the treatments here are all complementary,” he said, bowing his head. Kam regarded him closely. There was something about the emphasis on the word ‘treatments’ that bothered him.

“And apart from thetreatments, nothing else is charged for? No hidden extras, no administration fees?” he asked casually. Something flickered in the fae’s face.

“No, no, of course not. We do, er, require new patients to register, of course, and for that there is a minor fee. A tiny charge, utterly inconsequential for Arjhan residents.”

“A registration fee?”

“It’s not uncommon, sire, and totally above board. It all goes towards the running of the centre, of course.”

Kam cast his eye over the fae’s expensive garb, the gold jewellery adorning each wrist.

“Of course. However, the centre and all its running costs are paid for by the Crown, are they not?”

The fae took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead.

“Yes, yes, that is correct. But extra income is always useful, my Lord. And as I say, it only goes towards the good of the community.”

“And what of those who cannot afford to register?”

The Chief Healer looked surprised.

“This is Arjhan, your Majesty. The richest city in Nush’aldaam. Who here cannot afford to pay?”

It was a good question. Kam had never encountered anyone in the city who wasn’t wealthy. But then, he’d been away a long time. Maybe there were things about his empire he had yet to learn. He walked to the door.

“Thank you for the tour of the new facility, Chief Healer. It was most eye-opening.” He gave the fae a pleasant smile. “But lose the registration fee.”

The healer blanched.

“Of course, your Majesty. Consider it done.”

Satisfied, Kam left the office and did a final walk through the crowd, stopping to exchange words with one or two people, even smiling at babies – though he drew the line at kissing them. He reached his carriage with relief.

“Give me five minutes, captain,” he told the head of his royal guard. “Then back to the palace.”

He climbed into the coach. The stranger had pressed herself into the farthest corner as if trying to take up as little space as possible. She was clutching a bag to herself defensively and her hood was pulled low over her face. He settled into the banquette opposite and stretched his legs out.

“Nothing to say? You were so outspoken earlier.”

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