Free Crown of Ice by Vicki L. Weavil

to the world than the somber hues of winter. As I press back the center page a scrap of paper slides out and sails toward the floor.
    Kai grabs it before it hits the ground. He unfolds the page and holds it to the light.
    “What is it?” I snap shut the book and place it on the window ledge.
    “Notes.” Kai looks over at me, his dark eyes brighter than I’ve seen them in some time. “Take a look.” He hands me the limp piece of paper.
    I scan the page, deciphering the scrawled handwriting. “It’s Voss’s hand. I’ve seen it before.” I continue reading. “He mentions a shard … Yes!”
    I don’t realize I’ve yelled until Kai grips my forearm. “The missing fragments?”
    “I believe so. He writes that they’re in a cave, somewhere in the mountains that ring our lands. Of course—there must have been so many pieces when the mirror shattered, Voss may have missed a few.”
    Kai releases my arm and leans back against the stone windowsill. “This means something?”
    “If Voss found the mirror in a cave, that’s the first place he’d suspect if a few shards were missing when he carried the rest to the palace.
    “It was broken when he found it?” Kai shoots a sharp glance my way.
    “I suppose. He won’t tell me anything more.” I wave the paper in Kai’s face. “There’s a description of the cave, and the surrounding landscape. We should be able to find it easily.”
    Kai raises his eyebrows. “After decades?”
    “Little changes in these lands.” I fold the paper and tuck it inside the bodice of my simple woolen gown. “We should leave. I’d rather not take any more chances, not with what we unleashed earlier.”
    “Well, cast that magic that lights up your hands, then,” says Kai, “while I pull these drapes. I suppose we should leave things as we found them, as much as possible.”
    “Yes.” I glance about. “I don’t think we disturbed too much.”
    “Voss might be lacking one enchanted bear, but perhaps he won’t notice that for some time.”
    “And this.” I grab the illuminated book and clutch it to my breast. “I’m keeping this.”
    “That, Voss might miss,” observes Kai, as he takes hold of one end of the tapestry drapes.
    I call forth a globe of light in one hand and grip the book in the other. “Let him. He owes me.”
    Kai drags the drapes across the windows, plunging the room into darkness. I hold my conjured light before me and guide us to the door. As we step over the threshold, the door slams shut behind us.
    “So—we travel tomorrow?” Kai walks forward to greet Luki, who’s bounding down the hall. The wolf leaps up, his snow-caked paws leaving damp imprints on Kai’s tan breeches. Kai gently eases the animal to the ground, giving him a few gentle pats.
    “Perhaps,” I say, as Luki presses up against me.
    Kai frowns. “We need those fragments.”
    “I can’t decide that now. I’m waiting for a message.” It’s time to reassert my authority. “I’ll tell you in the morning.”
    Kai looks me up and down. “Very well, my queen.” He imbues the last word with almost as much irony as Voss. “I’ll await your command.” He turns on his heel and stalks away.
    It doesn’t matter. Whatever he thinks of me, Kai Thorsen won’t abandon our work on the mirror. My lie ensures his dedication. So let him think himself as clever as me. I know the truth.
    “Come, Luki.” I watch Kai disappear down the corridor that leads to his rooms. “We must see what news Bae has brought us.”
     
    ***
     
    I make my way to the stables, Luki at my heels. The scent of steaming animal hide assaults my nostrils. It seems that Bae has returned from his mission. Early this morning I sent the reindeer to the village to discover how people are dealing with Kai’s disappearance.
    Two horses are tied to the hitching rings. One of the mutated bears rubs down their heaving flanks. So—Voss has returned to the palace.
    “Snow Queen.” Bae dips his head as I reach his