Entwined (Knights of Brethren Book 2) by Jody Hedlund

Author:Jody Hedlund [Hedlund, Jody]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Young Adult
Publisher: Northern Lights Press
Published: 2021-12-07T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter

13

Lis

The climb up into the mountains grew treacherous. The snow was already hardpacked from earlier snowfalls, and the fresh layer made the trails slick. For a time, we strapped rags to our horses’ feet to keep them from slipping.

We located a safe alcove for the horses to rest while we continued by snowshoe. A thin curl of smoke rose in the distance and guided our way to Ulla’s mountain home. I could sense Red nearby, but I hadn’t seen him over the past day since I’d warned him to stay out of sight. Though we hadn’t seen any Ice Men who populated the mountains, I was using caution anyway.

As I took a few final steps up a snow-covered hill and crested the top, a log cabin came into view at the base of a steep cliff. The wisp of smoke we’d seen from a distance now puffed from a stone chimney.

I paused to catch my breath, glancing behind at the way we’d come—the trail winding up the side of the mountain in a zigzag. Had Princess Blanche climbed this same path all those years ago? Or were we on a doomed mission?

I’d had plenty of time to think about Princess Blanche during the journey. She’d obviously been feeling the effects of her disease or curse or whatever ailed her when she brought me to Mother and Father. How close to death had she been at that point? And why hadn’t she told anyone else what she was doing or where she was going?

From the little bit I’d gleaned about the royal family in recent years, I knew that Princess Blanche’s husband had died while searching for his missing wife and daughter, which left Elinor an orphan. Queen Inge and King Ulrik had raised Elinor as their own daughter, lavishing their love upon her since they’d never had any children of their own.

What would Elinor say once she learned of my intent to present myself as an heir to the throne? Would she feel threatened and hate me?

Ansgar stopped beside me, scanning the dark forestland that spread out to the east and covered the mountainside until reaching the barren, rocky peaks frozen with snow and ice. He’d spoken little all day, and I’d felt too hurt and rejected to initiate any conversation beyond what was necessary.

I hadn’t imagined the stark longing in his eyes last night when he stared at me from across the fire. Though I’d willed him to say something, to acknowledge that what we had was real and could lead somewhere, he’d done nothing. Nothing but make clear his determination to put an end to his feelings for me, no matter how hard and no matter what it cost him.

I’d decided to make his decision easier. If he aimed to forget about his feelings for me, then I could do the same about him. I’d worked all day to squelch my attraction, frustrated that it crept out regardless of my efforts, frustrated that he was so stubborn, frustrated that our lives weren’t simpler.

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