Spring Frost Read online

  I tried to think. “The Fey,” I said.

  Clariss roared with laughter before sneering, “You’re a disgrace to your kind, a miserable half-breed…”

  “You’re one to talk!” I couldn’t resist snapping back. “You’re not even Fey at all, are you?”

  “I’m not! I’m…” Clariss stopped, her lips curling into a dark smile. “I’m something higher than that, a kind you could never even dream of. But I won’t tell you. I won’t give away the secret. Not yet. You’ll have to figure it out for yourself. I gave you one of the biggest clues already, but you’re too stupid to figure it out.”

  I cursed inwardly. “If you’re not even Fey,” I asked, “then why come here? Why try to rule over us? What can you possibly get out of it? Why not just…find power in our world?”

  “Because, Breena,” Clariss looked frustrated, as if she were explaining this to a kindergartner. Good, I thought. Let her think I’m dumb. Maybe then she’ll talk. “Although I am not Fey, as you say, I am from here. But I don’t see why I should waste my breath explaining all this to you. Let it suffice to say that this is why you’re here with me right now. To present a challenge to you and your friends. I heard you thought you were a pixie, stupid girl! Pixies’ blood is green – but yours is blue. You think you’re clever – defeating my Dark Hordes, bringing back the Twin Suns of Feyland when I had my Hordes squeeze them out like shrivelled oranges – but you will not dare to defy me this time. I want Feyland. And in order to get that desire, my dear friend Breena, I want you. So let me tell you my plan, which you – if you want to live – will help me with. I will rule on the throne of Feyland, with Logan the Wolf Prince as my Consort. The people of Feyland – although who knows why? – love you. They respect you. They listen to whatever you have to say. So, Breena, when I arrive as a guest in your kingdom, you will welcome me with all the warmth and hospitality your foolish little heart can muster. You will make the people love me. And then I will be Queen of Feyland.”

  I looked at Clariss in shock. My mouth dropped open. Could she be serious? Could Clariss really think that I would be willing to help her take over my kingdom? “I would rather die!” I spat.

  “I can grant you that wish, Breena,” sighed Clariss. “But there’s no need. You’re dying already. The blue-green tint in your blood proves that: it shows the poison coursing through your veins. Once it turns black, you see, you will be nothing more than a shadow figure, one of those Dark Hordes, under my command. And then I’ll control you anyway.” She smiled sweetly. “You see, Breena, you have no choices. Heads, I win. Tails, you lose. But you have a way out here, don’t you see that? You could help me. If you help me get the people of Feyland to accept me as their Queen, we can avoid so much unnecessary bloodshed, don’t you think? I can help to restore your land, to make it beautiful again, to restore all the darkness that has destroyed it. I can also save your friend Alistair, keep his mind from being devoured by the poison he has consumed. He is a strong one – that’s why he was able to read the book in the first place – but he is no match for my dark magic. He will go mad, Breena; mark my words. He will go mad if he does not a get a cure from me, and once he goes mad he will become so wild, so dangerous that you will have no choice but to slay him. To murder your own friend in cold blood. And how would pretty little Rose feel about that? It would break her innocent little heart. So I am giving you a choice, Breena. Because I am kind. Because I am merciful. Either you pave the way for me to smoothly take over Feyland, allowing me to save Alistair’s life and – if you’re very good – your own. You can go back to your mommy. You can go quietly. Or else you can die, and become one of the mindless Dark Hordes that do my bidding.” She chuckled. “Guess you didn’t expect that out of me, did you, Breena? But I tell you – being me has its privileges!”

  I sat quietly, taking Clariss’ words in. I knew in my heart that I had only one option. No matter the costs, I would have to stay strong. Better to die loyal to Feyland than to live having betrayed it. This was my country – my land. These were my people. They depended on me. I looked up at Clariss, my crown glittering and glimmering on her head. I sighed. No, Clariss could never be allowed to rule Feyland. All that talk about restoring the land’s beauty was, I knew, a lie. She could never be trusted. But I’d have to play along. I’d have to outsmart her. Before the poison took over me.

  “You’ve always wanted what I have,” I said softly. “Logan, my power, my title. But I didn’t need it. I don’t need it – not any of it. Logan loved me before I ever came close to a crown. My friends respected me no matter what. I don’t mind giving up Feyland to you. I don’t need Feyland to make me happy. And, of course, you do deserve it more. You were always more powerful than I was. More beautiful.”

  I could see Clariss’ thin veneer crack. “Really?”

  “Of course,” I said. “I always thought this crown should go to someone like you – you deserve it much more than me. If you get me back to my friends, I can start preparing your entrance. I’m not stupid, Clariss. I know when I’m beaten. Just let me live – me and my friends – and Kian and I will find someplace quiet to live in Gregory and never bother you again.” The words were like ashes in my tongue. I didn’t mean them, but the very act of pretending to acquiesce to Clariss’ request made me ill. I wanted to tear her hair out. Yet another part of me pitied her – pitied the look of genuine joy in her eyes when I told her that she was prettier than I was. Could Clariss really be driven by such base motives as jealousy?

  “Come on, Clariss?” I nodded. “My Queen. Won’t you let me go home?”

  She turned to me.

  She nodded.

  Chapter 6

  Another puff of smoke surrounded me, this time coming straight from Clariss’ finger-tips. I closed my eyes, coughing and wheezing as the world seemed to whirl around me. I looked around in surprise, stretching out my hands until I felt the soft, cool white bed sheets beneath me. I was back in my room in Autumn Springs.

  “Clariss?” I looked around me wildly, terrified that she might have followed me here. But, to my relief, Clariss was nowhere to be found. Instead, I was staring at a sea of worried faces. Kian, Logan, the Duke, Alistair, and Rose were all standing around my bedside. I saw that Kian and Logan were conversing quietly, evidently worried. Both had looks of pain and concern upon their faces. But when they saw me, they both looked up, their faces breaking out into a smile.

  “Breena!” Kian rushed to my side. “We were so worried. You disappeared just the way Clariss did – into a puff of smoke.”

  “We didn’t even know where to start looking for you,” Logan broke in. “We were consulting the books, trying to figure out how the magic worked – but luckily you’re back.”

  “How long was I gone?” I asked.

  “About an hour,” Rose looked at the clock. She had her arm around Alistair, who was huddled in a corner, looking somewhat overwhelmed by the situation. My heart sank for him. The poison was getting worse for him – I could see it in his eyes. Soon the madness would start up again.

  “My friends…” I began. As I looked at them, my heart seemed to swell with pride. Kian and Logan were no longer enemies, I saw, but rather working together. Rose was tending to Alistair. No, I thought – I could never let them down, not in a million years. Not if it meant my own life. But nor could I let Clariss rule Feyland. There had to be another way. I could never concede to Clariss – I couldn’t let her win…

  “Come,” the Duke of Autumn Springs approached me, bowing at my bedside. “You must be starving, Breena. Between your illness and your recent…incident…you haven’t eaten in days.”

  No sooner had he spoken than I realized just how hungry I was. My stomach rumbled loudly in response; my whole body felt weak. Lightheaded.

  “The morning meal is ready, and I am sure that you are starving, my Queen.”

  “Starving,” I said, forcing out a smile.

  The Duke took my hand and led us down the corridor, into an intrica
tely carved hallway lined with the most exquisite tapestries I had ever seen. We followed the woven carpet down the hall and into a room filled with mirrors, in which a single table – piled high with all manner of pastries and savory dishes – was reflected hundreds of times, so that it looked like a whole sea of tables awaited our banqueting. The smell of the food – overpowering in its aroma – made me dizzy and ravenous at the same time.

  “Careful,” Logan pushed me upright. “You need to take it slow, Bree.”

  Shasta and Rodney were already seated at the table, and from the looks of it had already gone through two bowls of soup each.

  “Come now, my love.” Kian put his arm around me. Instantly I jumped, feeling the shiver of ice down my back. I stopped to catch my breath.

  “Kian, I’m sorry…” I sighed. “I don’t know what’s come over me.” I leaned in to kiss him, but his lips seemed to freeze my own. How could I tell him what I had learned from Clariss? How could I tell him what was wrong with me?

  “Is it…me?”

  “We’ll talk about it later,” I said. I could not meet his eyes. Kind, gentle Kian loved me so much – how could I admit to him that his very caresses were the source of my pain? I couldn’t bear to think about the look in his eyes when I told him that he couldn’t touch me, that I could no longer feel his smooth skin against my own, that I could no longer listen to the sound of his heartbeat…

  “Good food, huh?” Rose was trying hard to minimize the awkwardness, digging into her plate of eggs with gusto. “I mean, delicious!” Her voice shattered the silence. I knew how hard she was trying – trying to make us all forget about the shadow that the Sorceress had cast over us, but no amount of eggs or soup or bread was going to make me forget the truth: the poison was coursing through my veins. Every second I spent not chasing Clariss down was one second off my life.

  Where did you go?

  I looked up in surprise. And then I realized the voice had not come from without but from within: Kian’s voice was echoing in my brain. He hadn’t communicated like that with me in days.

  What?

  Just now. I know you don’t want to worry the others, Breena – but you have to know…you can always be honest with me. Trust me with your secret. Please tell me what happened.

  I don’t know where I was…when Alistair came at me with the book, something happened. I felt this jerk on the back of my neck, and then I was gone. Wherever I was, Clariss was there.

  She’s alive? I could see Kian’s expression turn to fear. Breena, are you okay? Did she do anything to you?

  I shook my head. She didn’t have to, I said.

  What do you mean?

  The poison…I bit my lip. There’s no cure, is there, Kian? Her magic’s strong, ancient, and powerful. It’s causing me to Freeze. I sighed. I didn’t want to hurt him – but lying to him would be worse. It’s why I’m responding the way I am when you touch me. The poison…she said it would make me into one of the Dark Hordes.

  No! It cannot be. Kian was trying desperately hard to keep his expression neutral so that none of the others would be able to tell that we were speaking, but I saw how he strained with the effort. Breena – tell me it is not so! I have heard of Freezing in some of the old magic books, but I always thought it was just a legend…too horrible to be real…

  So Freezing did exist, then, I thought grimly. Clariss hadn’t just been making it up out of nowhere.

  She’s offered to spare my life, Kian. All of ours – and Alistair’s. But on one condition. A terrible condition. She wants me to give up my throne, to make her the Ruler of Feyland.

  Kian rose to his feet, smashing his goblet against the wall with rage. The others looked at him in surprise and shock.

  “Kian?” Shasta turned to him. “Are you okay? What happened…”

  We can’t tell them.

  Kian caught my eye and nodded furtively. “I’m fine, Shasta. I’m just stressed, that’s all. I let my emotions get the better of me for the moment – that is all. Don’t worry about it.”

  “Right…”

  We continued eating the meal in silence.

  What did you tell her?

  I lied – of course! I told her I’d help her – thought I’d try to learn all I could, gather information. But if I have to, Kian, I’d rather die than think of that…witch controlling Feyland.

  Breena, I will love you whatever you decide. But I can’t bear to think of losing you. I would rather love you with no title than lose you…he sighed. But I know you cannot lose your honor. And neither can I. We must stay strong, for Feyland.

  Yes. For Feyland.

  I will do what I can. This cannot be the only option. We have strong magic between us. We will find a way to fight this poison within you, Breena. With or without Clariss. And we will destroy this threat to Feyland, Breena. Just as we always do – fear not. I have confidence that we’ll get through this.

  But I could see the fear on his face – and he the fear in mine. We both had our doubts: we had fought evil before, but the Sorceress was a greater danger than any we could have ever imagined. And if even Rose and Alistair – two of the most skilled alchemists in all of Feyland – couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me, or how to fix it, then how could I ever expect to live?

  “Now!” Kian announced. “Breena has recovered from her injuries now – and so we must head off to the Winter Kingdom as soon as possible. Feyland must not be without a leader. And if we set off now, I have no doubt that we will be able to make good time and arrive in the Winter Court by tonight. So I must ask you all to begin packing. Sire,” he turned to the Duke, “thank you again for your hospitality, your kindness and discretion. May Autumn Springs always be a great friend of ours. You are always welcome in both Winter and Summer, and you must only say the word and we shall repay your kindness many fold.”

  The Duke bowed deeply. “It is an honor to serve the King and Queen of Feyland,” he said.

  We all retreated back to our rooms, quickly packing up our things for the journey. But as I returned to my room, I noticed a shadowy figure following me – only a few paces behind me. Clariss?

  I turned around in surprise. “Alistair? What are you doing here?”

  Alistair looked nervous, his eyes downcast. He could not meet my gaze. The book was in his arms, wrapped tightly to his chest. “Nothing, Breena…” he said, stumbling over the words. “I just left my coat in your room, that’s all.”

  But there was something about Alistair’s gaze and voice that frightened me. I remembered what Clariss had said about Alistair going mad, and I shivered.

  Chapter 7

  I dressed hurriedly. My customary silks and satins were not enough to shut out the freeze I felt deep within my body. I huddled under the blankets, scrounging through my wardrobe for the warmest-looking furs I could find. But nothing could make me stop shivering. Is this it? I wondered. Is this going to be my life from now on – or, at least, what was left of it? I shuddered and looked down. My veins were pulsing: great blue lines snaking out through my skin, which had become almost translucent with sickness. I wanted to be sick. I wasn’t beautiful any longer, I thought, nor strong: this Freeze was turning me, little by little, into a grotesque creature. Soon, I knew, my blood would turn black and turgid; soon it would all be over. I closed my eyes as I passed by the mirror. I didn’t want to see the sick, hollow, gaunt look in my eyes. I didn’t want to see this dying version of myself.

  There was a solution – of course. I could bow down to Clariss, hand over to her the kingdom and the title and the power and the rest of it. She would – or at least, she said she would – let me go free. Kian and I could live alone in Gregory: simple, free. Happy. But I sighed at the very thought, shaking my head. Of course Kian and I could never be happy living out the rest of our lives in ignominy and despair, knowing that just beyond the Crystal River, Feyland was suffering beneath the tyranny of Clariss.

  You and I are alike, Kian I thought glumly. Neither one of us can l
ive without honor. We would rather give everything else up – but not that. I looked out the window, casting my glance over Autumn Springs towards Feyland in the distance. The suns had returned; two gleaming balls of brightness spread out over the horizon. So beautiful, I thought to myself. Too beautiful. How could I let myself think, even for a moment, that I would allow Clariss to cast a shadow over the lands – over the hills and valleys, the sweet springs and the violent waterfalls – that I so loved? No, I thought, gritting my teeth. Better to die in a Feyland that was still beautiful than to live outside it, my heart torn out by grief and despair.

  But even if I died…would it really save Feyland? My jaw clenched; my heart began to beat faster. If I died, what was to stop Clariss from sauntering in and taking over Feyland, sitting upon my throne, wearing my crown. What would happen to my king, my Kian? My body began to tense with rage at the very thought! I trusted Kian and Logan – I trusted my armies. But what if they weren’t enough? What if the Dark Hordes returned – this time, as Clariss had said, with I myself at the helm? Would I spend the rest of eternity a shapeless zombie, performing Clariss’ wicked will? Such a thought was too dire for me to think about. The Dark Sorceress’ powers were the greatest we had faced in all our struggles before. She was the conjurer of the Dark Hordes. Her magic transcended life and death, immortality and mortality, and the borders between worlds. Combined that with the vengeful evil wrath of Clariss, the one human without a sense of humanity, she was too powerful to defeat. She made the Dark Hordes, took away the Twin Suns, and caused all of Feyland to die. How was I going to defeat her?