Snow: Dark Fairytales by H.P. Mallory

Author:H.P. Mallory [Mallory, H.P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-05-10T16:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

Neva

“We agreed we were through,” Malvolo says through clenched teeth, glaring murder at his brother. “We’d cut all ties. We said we were never going back. Isn’t that what you said to me after Nighburrow?”

I’m trapped between the two brothers and anger roils off each of them, saturating the air. I don’t think I’m imagining the heat exuding from their skin. I’m afraid that one or both will explode into an enormous dragon at any moment, leaving the cottage a pile of straw and tinder and me trampled beneath them.

“I meant it when I said it, Malvolo. It’s not as if we’re enlisting again. These are extenuating circumstances. And something has to be done.” Herrick takes a breath. “Even Reve agrees.”

Malvolo’s antagonistic stare shifts to me and I cringe back into my bed. “We only have her word as to what Reve believes. She could be lying.”

“To what point or purpose?” Herrick demands. “The journey will be dangerous, especially with a Gryphus huntsman on her trail. If she were looking out for her own self-interest, she’d want to stay here.”

Malvolo looks like he’s swallowed something sour. “No. We’re not doing this.”

Herrick’s hands ball into fists at his sides and he looks like he might take a swing at his brother. “You know your magical contacts are better than mine. You and Reve always seemed to charm the witches. Send a carrier pigeon to Hattie, Vasalisa, or fuck, even The Sea Witch! One of them is bound to know where Tenebris is hiding out these days.”

Malvolo shakes his head before Herrick has even completed his request. “No. I won’t do this again. Not for her, not for any human. Tenebris bound her for a good reason. You want to keep her safe? Find a witch in Ascor. Or Everreach. Or Midborn, I don’t fucking care. But she’s not my fucking problem.”

He glares at me and I fucking hate him.

“We’re not getting roped into Guild business again,” Malvolo continues. “And I don’t want to speak to that Tenebris bitch ever again.”

“Be reasonable. You know she didn’t mean…”

Malvolo stalks toward the door. “If you insist on going, then go. But know that if you die trying to defend her, I’m going to finish the job and rend her limb from limb.”

I stare after him, dumbfounded. In the short time I’ve known him, Malvolo has always been hostile. But this hostility gives new meaning to the word callous. I can’t reconcile the heartless man marching away from us with the man who’d hovered by my bedside, or the roguish man who’d first brought me pleasure. I don’t recognize him.

Herrick doesn’t seem to, either. He looks thunderstruck at Malvolo’s words. “Malvolo, how can you say that, after...” he mutters.

“Do we need him?” I interrupt as I turn to face Herrick.

“Unfortunately, yes. This enchantment can only be undone by the sorceress who cast it, or someone with equal power. Reve might have been able to do it once upon a time, but he’s not capable of much beyond the mindscape now.

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