Bitter Winter, page 11
part #5 of Ilyon Chronicles Series
“Did you ever go sledding?”
“Oh, yes, we loved sledding. Father wasn’t much into joining us, but Mother and Elian took us out to a hill not too far from the estate. We would spend hours there until our toes and fingers were numb with the cold. Then we would come back and huddle by the fireplace with mugs of tea or hot chocolate.”
“Those sound like very happy memories.”
Elanor looked up at him, a little of the sparkle having returned to her eyes. “What about you? Surely you have happy memories as a child. Did you and Davira ever get along?”
Daniel shook his head. As far back as he could remember, Davira always hated him. “Not so much. But I had friends, so it never really bothered. Whenever we had winter gatherings and my cousins were around, we had grand snowball battles in the courtyard. We built some pretty impressive snow forts back in the day.”
Elanor grinned. “I would have loved to see them. I always wanted to make forts, but James would get bored of helping and end up destroying them.”
“Little boys do tend to like destroying things.”
“I guess they do.”
In his mind’s eye, Daniel saw a little boy about six tumbling about in the snow with slightly wavy dark hair like his and deep blue eyes like Elanor’s. And perhaps a petite little girl with her mother’s long, beautiful locks toddling after him. Longing squeezed his heart. If such a future ever took place, he would be sure his children both knew how deeply loved they were by him and each other. He wouldn’t let them grow to be enemies like he was with Davira.
Daniel didn’t realize his imaginings of the future had caused him to pause until Elanor turned to face him. Her brows scrunched in a questioning way, but all Daniel could do was stare down at her as the scene replayed itself in his mind. He could die a happy man if nothing else became of his life except for his dream of his own family. He could see it far more clearly than any of his other aspirations for the future.
Overwhelmed by such thoughts, he took a step closer to Elanor and stared down into her eyes. He’d resisted kissing her for months. He’d burst if he didn’t do it now. He bent his head toward hers, but forced himself to wait for her to accept such an advance. To the delight of his pounding heart, she tipped her head up to meet him.
Daniel had kissed more girls than he ever cared to admit, but this kiss meant the world to him and completely outshone the others. Any chill from the cold vanished. He was going to marry this woman. That was about the only certainty he had right now.
When they broke the kiss, Daniel studied her face. Her eyes danced and her cheeks were rosy red from more than just the cold. Those soft lips of hers gave him a pert little smile, begging for another kiss, but he resisted. Instead, he reached for her gloved hand and tipped his head toward her cabin.
“I suppose we best go inside before we freeze.”
Not likely with the way his blood still thrummed through him.
* * *
Trask trudged back to his cabin after checking in on all those who had fallen ill. Four more in camp had contracted the fever. They had done their best, but it didn’t look like they would be able to contain this. Now, if nothing else, he had to make himself available to help wherever he could. He hadn’t planned to go back to his cabin after making his rounds, not wanting to expose Anne to the sickness, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She had told him they would face whatever happened together.
When he entered, Anne stood at the table, putting together baskets of food for the sick and their caretakers. She would probably take them to the meeting hall as soon as she was finished. If more fell ill, Josef would need all the help he could get.
“How is everyone?”
Trask sighed and shrugged off his coat. “Scared. No one knows who will be next, and they know it’s only a matter of time until people start dying.”
Suddenly overwhelmed, Trask sank down in a chair by the fireplace and rubbed his fingers against his eyes. He opened them when he sensed Anne’s presence. She sat down in his lap, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. Being leader of the encampment, he had a responsibility to be strong for everyone and keep his emotions in check or well hidden. That, however, didn’t erase the deeply rooted fear of losing her in all of this.
“I’ve done everything possible to protect this camp. But now, after the attack and this sickness, I don’t know what to do. How can I continue to protect them if everyone is sick? And what if there is a second attack while we’re too weak to fight?” He’d put his heart and soul into creating this place. He couldn’t bear to see it crumble now and lose the people who had come to rely on it.
Anne rested her soft hand against his cheek, and he looked deep into her eyes.
“We’ll pray,” she told him softly. “Remember, it isn’t the lookouts you’ve had in place or all the precautions you’ve taken that have kept this camp safe the last couple of years. Elôm has. I don’t know why He now allowed the attack and this fever, but He will show us what to do if we ask Him.”
Her gentle reminder brought a smile to his lips. Elôm had blessed him with a wonderfully faithful life partner and helper.
“I love you,” he murmured and drew her closer for a kiss.
Chapter Eleven
Jace rested his elbows on his knees and his chin on his clasped hands as he stared at Kyrin. She hadn’t started coughing yet, but the rise and fall of her chest seemed labored. Like Rayad, she drifted in and out of consciousness as they sat around her in the quietness of the cabin. Jace could tell they were all restless, especially Kaden. His knee kept bouncing, and he wouldn’t stop fiddling with one of his daggers, drawing it in and out of its sheath and flipping it agitatedly in his fingers. No doubt he wished as Jace did to have a physical foe to use it on.
Evening encroached, bringing with it the foreboding promise of torturously long night hours. A knock at the door sent a jolt through Jace. He straightened, his back and shoulders stiff, and then rose to answer it so the others wouldn’t have to. When he pulled it open, Holden stood on the other side, and Jace’s heart plunged toward his feet.
Holden held up his hand as if to stop Jace’s sudden spiral of panic. “It’s not Rayad. Glynn just returned from scouting the nearby towns. Sounds like he has news. He’s heading to Trask’s cabin.”
Could the crete possibly have the remedy? Jace glanced back at Kyrin and then at her family, their own burst of fragile hope displayed in their wide eyes. He then grabbed his coat and stepped out with Holden. He had to find out.
The two of them strode toward Trask’s cabin, Jace’s pace barely below a jog. Did he dare hope that the cure for Kyrin and Rayad was within his grasp? When they reached the cabin, Holden knocked on the door. Jace could hardly remain still in the few seconds before Trask answered it and motioned them inside.
“Anne and I are helping with the sick, so you might as well come in. We’ve both been exposed.”
They stepped in. Anne greeted them quietly, but Jace focused on Glynn. Even being a crete, he looked cold as he stood near the fireplace.
“Did you find the remedy?”
With a tight-lipped expression, Glynn shook his head, and Jace’s hope crashed to the ground. However, the crete wasn’t finished. “But I did find out where we might be able to attain some.”
“Where?” Jace held his breath, waiting to see if his shattered hope might be rebuilt.
Glynn looked between Jace and Trask. “Alex Avery.”
Jace drew his brows together in a deep frown. Avery was the one who had poisoned the emperor. No one had seen or heard from him since, despite Davira’s months-long manhunt. What did he have to do with the remedy?
“From what I heard, he never fled Valcré like everyone thought. Turns out, he’s set up an underground smuggling ring. They say anyone who can’t go to Davira can go to him, for supplies as well as the remedy.”
Jace looked over at Trask who appeared to mull this information over. But, for Jace, there was nothing to consider.
“I’ll go.”
“It would be a risk,” Glynn warned. “We’ve all heard the stories out of Valcré, and there’s a bigger bounty on Avery’s head right now than on any of ours. Just getting close to him would be dangerous.”
Jace shook his head. Even if it meant walking right into the heart of Davira’s rule, he would do anything to help Kyrin and Rayad. “We don’t have a choice. We need the remedy, and I am willing to get it.” He looked at Trask again. “That is, if I can borrow some money for the payment.”
Trask glanced at Anne but said, “You can have whatever you need.”
Jace let out a deep breath. He wasn’t sure he’d expected Trask to agree so quickly. It just proved how dire the situation was. Without the cure, their camp would be completely devastated in one fell swoop.
“When will you leave?”
“Right away.” Jace wouldn’t let Kyrin or Rayad suffer for a minute longer than they had to. Their lives could hinge on a mere moment of lost time.
“Let me see what we have,” Trask said, reaching for his coat. “I’m sure Avery won’t sell cheaply.”
Jace nodded. “I’ll gather my things and meet you back here.”
He rushed to the other cabin. Now that he had something he could do, he wouldn’t be slowed down by anything. Holden followed him. He was disappointed to find Rayad asleep when they arrived. He’d hoped to talk to him before he left, but he didn’t want to wake him. Kneeling down next to the cot, Jace watched him for a long moment. How long would it take to get the remedy from Avery? What if it took days? Did Rayad have that long? Jace swallowed hard. Please let him hang on until I get back.
He then pushed to his feet and gathered his pack and extra clothing.
“Where are you going?” Elian asked from the table.
Jace glanced back to where he and Trev watched him questioningly.
“Valcré. Alex Avery has the remedy. I’m going to get some.”
They were quiet for a moment before Trev asked, “Do you want some of us to go with you?”
Jace shook his head. “It will be dangerous to head into the city, and I don’t even know if I’ll be able to find or meet with Avery, but I have to try.”
They were quiet again until Holden walked over to his cot and pulled out his own pack. Jace looked at him.
“None of us should head out alone, especially not into Valcré,” Holden said. “I’ll come along to watch your back. Besides, I know the types of places men like Avery tend to hang out. I used to frequent them myself.”
Jace gave him a grateful nod. He wouldn’t have willingly dragged anyone else into danger, but he would be glad to have Holden’s expertise.
Once they finished packing, Jace turned his attention once more to Rayad. He still didn’t stir from sleep. What if this was the last time he ever saw him? The possibility knifed deeply into his chest with a violent twist.
A hand gripped his shoulder. Elian stood at his side. “We’ll take care of him.”
Jace blinked at the burning in his eyes. He cleared his throat. “Thank you.”
Focusing on his purpose, Jace took the lead, and Holden followed him back to Trask’s cabin. Trask, Balen, Daniel, Aric, and Warin all waited there for them. Jace would have thought Trask would’ve insisted on keeping Balen and Daniel away from the sickness. Yet, now that it was spreading so quickly, most of them were probably exposed in one way or another anyway.
Trask set a pair of leather saddlebags on the table. “This is what we could gather. It’s not a fortune, but hopefully it’ll be enough for what we need. And, if there happens to be any left over, perhaps you can also get us supplies.”
Jace lifted the flap to look in the saddlebags. They were full of coins, including a few gold ones, and valuable jewelry.
“I’ll bring back as much as I can.” He closed the flap. “Holden is coming with me.”
“Good. I’ll feel better knowing there are two of you with how things are in Valcré, especially toting around money like that.”
Jace agreed. With Davira’s proclamation, there wouldn’t be anything stopping someone from murdering for this money. He would have to be careful to keep it concealed, even with Holden there.
“When you speak to Alex,” Daniel said, drawing Jace’s attention, “you can let him know I’m here if you think it will help. We were always good friends. I would hope it still means something to him.”
Jace would keep that in mind. He’d dealt with many different sorts of people in his lifetime, but never smugglers. It was hard to guess how sympathetic Alex Avery would be to their plight.
He turned to Holden. “Ready?”
His friend nodded. After trading goodbyes with the others, they left the cabin. Outside, Jace said, “I just need to see Kyrin once more.”
“I’ll take your things to Gem,” Holden offered.
Jace handed over his pack and hurried to the Altair cabin. Kyrin’s family was still gathered around her bed, but Marcus and Kaden rose from their seats to meet Jace.
“What was that about?” Marcus asked.
Jace glanced at Kyrin. Like Rayad, she was asleep. “Glynn found out that Alex Avery is still in Valcré and has the remedy. I’m going to try to get some.”
Kaden jumped on this. “I’ll go with you.”
“Holden is going with me. You might be needed more here.” He cast another look at Kyrin. Her family needed to be together after the sorrow they already faced. Kaden’s riders would also need their captain if they were attacked again.
Kaden sighed but seemed to understand and didn’t press the issue.
Jace sank down in the chair next to the bed and reached for Kyrin’s hand. He desperately needed to speak with her before he left. He couldn’t walk away without hearing her voice once more, just in case it was the last time. Biting back the emotions that swelled up his throat, he squeezed her fingers gently. She didn’t stir at first, but then her eyes fluttered open. She blinked a few times before her gaze focused on his face.
“Jace,” she barely whispered.
He forced the best smile he could muster. “How do you feel?”
Kyrin drew a heavy breath. “Awful.” She offered a weak smile in return.
Jace reached with his free hand and brushed away some of the hair sticking to her damp forehead. “Kyrin, I’m leaving… for Valcré.”
Her face scrunched, and she grew more alert. “What?”
“I’m going to get the remedy for this fever.”
She processed his words for a moment, her frown deepening. “What if you get caught?”
“I won’t.” He squeezed her hand again. “Holden is going with me. We’ll look out for each other.” He glanced around him. Kyrin’s family had moved away from the bed, giving them a little privacy.
Jace leaned closer, his heart thumping. “Kyrin, listen to me. I will get that remedy and you will get better because… I want to marry you.”
Her eyes widened, and she looked as alert as he’d seen her since she’d fallen ill.
“I still have uncertainties about the future, but I do know I don’t want to face it without you. I want you to be at my side, always.” This was not at all the moment he wanted or had planned for so long, but this might be his only chance. He wasn’t going to wait any longer and lose it. “Kyrin, will you marry me?”
Her eyes turned a misty blue as a smile spread across her lips. “Yes, Jace, I will.”
Despite the fear lurking under the surface, joy spread through Jace’s heart. They’d gone through so much and had much more yet to face, but it was finally official. He was betrothed to Kyrin Altair—the only woman he could ever imagine loving the way he did. She would be his wife. He couldn’t let the possibility of anything else take hold.
“As soon as I get back and you’ve recovered, we’ll get married.”
She nodded, her smile a little faded with weariness but still in place.
Rising from his chair, he leaned over the bed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Her skin burned against his lips, reminding him of how important his mission was. For a moment, he couldn’t breathe at the thought of losing her.
“I’ll be back as fast as I can.” His voice sounded hoarse even to his own ears.
Hating to tear himself from her side, he turned and headed for the door where he met Kyrin’s family. They traded brief goodbyes, and Jace left the cabin. Walking away weighed down every step he took. His heart was just as heavy as it lifted up desperate prayers for success. As much as he wanted to do whatever he could to save Kyrin and Rayad, it tore him up inside to leave them.
When he reached the dragons, Holden already had Gem saddled for him. Trask and Daniel were there to see him off. So were Leetra and Elanor. Jace locked eyes with his sister and stopped short of her.
“You shouldn’t be so near to us,” he said quietly.
She glanced down at the snow. “I know, but . . .” she looked up at him. “I’m going to help with the sick.”
The weight inside Jace increased, but Elanor continued before he could speak.
“I know it’s hard for you, but I need to help. I can’t just wait and do nothing.”
Slowly, Jace nodded. More would get sick. He was certain of that. They would need as many people as they could to help.
She closed the distance between them, and they hugged tightly.
“Be careful,” she murmured in his ear.
“I will.”
They parted, and Leetra stepped forward. She had always been a master at concealing her emotions, but this evening she let her vulnerability show.
“Make sure Timothy is all right,” she said almost pleadingly. She then added hastily, “And the others.”
She cleared her throat. No doubt, if her skills weren’t so needed here, she would fly to Valcré along with them.
“We will,” Jace promised.
That brought Daniel forward. He handed Jace a small piece of paper. “These are directions to Ben and Mira’s house. If Timothy and the others aren’t with them, they’ll know where to find them.”
