Page 84 of Kiss of Ice

“Hm.”

“Hmagain?”

“Just to be clear, you want me to go against the express orders of the Emperor?”

“Oh.” Ren was crestfallen. “Of course. I couldn’t ask you to do that. He’d be furious and I wouldn’t want you to get into trouble.”

The witch regarded her narrowly.

“Do you honestly think the Emperor has lied to you, my dear? I don’t know him well, but what in the world does he have to gain by telling you such a tale? He wants the marriage to go ahead, so why would he make you angry enough to call it off?”

“I… I don’t know. That’s why I need to see my father. He’ll tell me the truth.”

“I’m sure.” Ruth sighed. “All right. I’ll do it.”

“You will?” Ren was surprised. “Why?”

“Because one way or the other, my Lady, you need to discover the truth. Even if it’s unbearably painful. And incidentally, the transformation spell may sting a little so try not to scream.”

Ren took a breath.

“Okay. I’m ready.”

The witch held out her hands and began to chant.

Thirty Four

Ren hurried through the palace towards the exit closest to the stables. It felt weird being shorter than she normally was. That was one of the reasons the morph wouldn’t last for long.

Ruth had explained it was easier when the object being transformed was as similar as possible to the thing it was being transformed into. Turning apples into oranges was one thing. Turning a tall young lady into a short older woman for any length of time required more magic than Ruth possessed. It was like trying to make gold from water. It wouldn’t stick.

“But it should last ten minutes if you’re lucky,” she’d said. And it had, indeed, stung. Ren had had to grit her teeth to keep from crying out as her body burned with pain, but it had only lasted a matter of seconds. And then she was pushing green hair out of her eyes and wearing a dress that was far too long for her.

She reached the exit and hurried through it. The stables were just a short walk around the corner and then…

“Ruth.”

The voice stopped her in her tracks.Shit.It was Kamran.

She turned to see the jinn descending from the skies, white wings gleaming in the sunlight as he gracefully landed. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, and Ren couldn’t help noticing how the muscles played in his chest as he flexed his shoulders. His supernatural appendages dissolved.

He strode towards her and it took every ounce of will she possessed not to turn and run.

Remembering herself, she dropped into a curtsy as he approached.

“Your Majesty,” she murmured, speaking softly. Ruth’s magic only extended to her appearance, not her voice.

“Greetings, dresser. Have you just returned from Lady Morenna’s quarters?”

“Yes, your Majesty.”

“And did she seem… um, how was she?”

Ren shot him a quick glance, surprised by the question. Why in the world would he care how she was?

“She is upset, your Majesty. And very, very angry. You’re a contemptible bully and your treatment of her is crass and boorish. And what’s more you must have the brains of an ogur if you think your lies are in any way believable. According to her, of course,” she added demurely.

“So she hasn’t calmed down yet?”

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