to greet us. Instead the walls themselves seemed to bleed a faint violet light that did not provide any warmth. It was a cold glow that made the shadows in the corners

ay." Si

marble floor. I on the other hand felt like every step I took was a drumbeat in the silence. The heat from my skin wa

spiraled upward into the darkness. The air grew thinner and colder as we climbed. I felt the weight of the

ople live he

lls. It sounded small and

need to." Si

aused at a landing. He turned to look

aid. "You will find everything

lled a heavy iron key from his pocket and held it out to me. Our fingers brushed as I to

e locked i

tightly. I looked at hi

subjects share my patience for the Fae. Some of them would prefer to

had to tilt my head back to see his face. He

ow." Silas whispered. "I sugge

pped. "Not a bag of gr

able than gold." Silas said. "Sleep well

the landing for a long moment. I listened to the silence of the tower. It was not

as a suite of rooms larger than my entire cottage back home. There was a massive bed draped in black furs and a fireplace ma

ked like a graveyard of light. The blue neon flickered in the distance but most of the streets were shrouded in shadow. I cou

o wood in the hearth. There were no coals. It was just a cold empty pi

maller than it used to be. It was a flickering amber flame that felt weary from the journey. I whispered

t was a fire of pure essence. The stone warmed under my touch. The chill in the room began

atched the light. It was the

door. I stood up quickly and

it?" I c

Lady Elara." A fem

She was pale like the others but she had a kindness in her face that

d. "I am to be your attend

re. She paused when she felt the warmth of the hearth. She looked at

me since I felt a real

e warmth but she stopped herself. She lo

always so c

off one of the plates. It was roasted mea

what it is like to feel anything else. He carries the

a very lonely wa

was seasoned with rare spice

e King does what is necessary for the survi

have to take

as if checking for listeners

bsidian Spire is cracking. The very foundation of our world is freezing o

raight and smoo

need your strength for tomorrow. The K

room. I heard the lock click fro

e black walls. I thought about what Mina had said. The city was not just cold. It was

there the sun was rising over the Summer Court. My people were waking up to

orehead again

you break me Sil

bed and curled up under the heavy furs. I did not blow out the light in the hearth. I let it b

nd a king who was made of ice. In the dream he was reaching for me.

s no sunrise here. There was only a shift from deep black to a dull leade

y amber wool. I brushed my hair until it

n the hallway. He looked exactly as he had the night before. He di

e Elara."

r what?"

s powerful as your father

ck to the Great Hall. Instead we went deeper into the heart of the tower. W

f steam. I felt the fire in my core beginning to stir. It knew where

. In the center of the room was a giant forge made of iron and gold.

eart of the Ci

laced his hand on the metal. A layer of

aid. "It powered our lights. It warmed our homes. It kept

ver eyes were bright wit

wake it up."

huge. It was a mountain of iron. I f

aid. "My magic is not enough

a way." S

my wrists with his freezing han

d. "The ice is coming for us all. Light

iron mask of his face. He was not a king.

d at the cold iron. I felt the

tay back Silas. You mi