Casting Shadows by L. R. Braden

Author:L. R. Braden [Braden, L. R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bell Bridge Books
Published: 2020-07-19T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

MICA AND HARU wove easily between the tightldy packed trees, Mica on two legs, Haru on four. They sauntered along on top of the snow while we mere mortals had to plow through the drifts. Despite the late hour and the shadows cast by the towering trees, the moonlight reflecting on the snow cast more than enough light for even Emma’s eyes. But the night, coupled with leaving the protection of the magically warmed city, brought a drop in temperature.

I shivered, and snuggled deeper into the fur-lined cloak Mica had given me before we left his rooms. Emma wore a similar piece of clothing, though hers was bright-blue lined with white while the one I’d taken was a simple tan and gray. Mica now wore a heavy, navy-blue tunic and dark-brown trousers, but he hadn’t bothered with a coat. Haru’s clothes were tucked in the bag Mica carried over his shoulder. Fae didn’t seem to mind the cold.

Shortly after leaving Rhoana, Mica pulled to a stop, placed his hands on his hips, and tipped his head back with a noisy sigh. “Stars above, that woman scares me.”

As I waded over to him, he pulled a small silver case from inside his shirt and scooped a fingerful of glittering dust into his mouth. The lines of tension around his eyes relaxed.

I glanced back the way we’d come. If Mica felt we were beyond Rhoana’s hearing, it was probably safe to talk.

“You told Rhoana your aunt said she wants to meet me.”

Mica glanced at me, a second dose of dust on its way to his mouth.

“But I was with you when you decided to say that. Your aunt wasn’t. So how can it be true?”

Mica shrugged. “Aunt Marron told me years ago she wished she could meet an imbuer other than Bael.” He snapped the silver case shut and tucked it back into his shirt. “And here you are.”

“What if Rhoana had asked for specifics?”

“After I accused her of doubting me? She had no choice but to drop it or insult my honor.” He frowned. “You’ve seen firsthand how that can turn out.”

I looked away, trying not to picture Kai in his stone cell.

Emma blew a puff of warm breath into her hands and shifted her feet in the snow. “How much farther to your aunt’s house?”

Mica started walking again. “Not much.”

After twenty minutes of trudging through snow, my toes were numb, along with the tips of my ears and nose.

“Here we are.” Mica stopped and spread his arms, blocking our advance. “Stay back. You don’t want to get within reach of those vines.”

I squinted into the shadows beyond Mica’s arm. The snow ended abruptly at a wall of bright-green vines that blocked our path. The barrier stood about eight feet high, stretching from tree trunk to tree trunk like fencing between posts. Each vine was as thick as my wrist and twined so tightly with its neighbors I couldn’t see any way through. Unlike the trees around us, the living wall was oddly clear of snow.

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