Free Crown of Ice by Vicki L. Weavil Page A

stall. Another transformed bear scuttles off at my approach, clutching a curry comb and brush in his peculiar, hand-like paws.
    “You’ve news for me?” I glance into Bae’s trough, ensuring that the bear has provided grain as well as hay and water.
    “Yes.” Bae focuses his melancholy gaze on me. “Sad news, as I am sure you expected. Many in the village fear that Master Kai has done himself an injury.”
    “They suspect he’s killed himself?” I shake my head. “They must not know Kai well.”
    “Others”—the reindeer noses at the hay and carefully extracts a mouthful—“think Kai has moved to the city, gone to sea, trekked off to another country, or some such thing.” Bae chews on the hay for a minute before speaking again. “Miss Gerda has disappeared as well. Left a note though, she did. Said she was off to look for Kai. Will not return until she finds him.”
    I lean over the trough to grab Bae by the bridle. “What do you mean? Gerda’s searching for Kai?”
    “As I said, Snow Queen, the little miss has taken to the road to look for her friend. Poor soul.” Bae swings his head from side to side until I’m forced to release my grip.
    I swallow a string of swear words as Bae calmly munches his hay.
    Gerda, the shadow. Gerda, always intervening, always in my way. My logical mind tells me that this simple country girl can’t possibly find Kai before the mirror is complete. My fearful heart isn’t convinced. Too much is at stake to take any chances.
    “When did she leave?” I ask Bae. “When did Gerda depart the village?”
    “Why, just yesterday, I believe.” The reindeer sniffs at the trough and delicately mouths a bit of grain.
    I breathe deeply. This does not touch me, I tell myself. I can’t be defeated by an ordinary girl. Let these fears fade. Let it go.
    Leaving the stables, I resolve to travel tomorrow, but not to the cave. That must wait. First I’ll toss some stones in Gerda’s path. I’ve an idea of how to slow her down, if I can convince Voss to grant me one favor.
    He must do it. Whatever it takes, I’ll force his hand. He owes me, more than he can ever repay.

FIRST THAW
     
    In the morning I track Voss to the Great Hall. He’s lost in contemplation of the mirror, but glances up as I enter.
    “You have made great progress, my queen.” Voss taps the glass with his boney forefinger.
    “No thanks to you.” I pull my ivory wool cloak tight about my shoulders. “You forgot to mention that three pieces are missing.”
    Voss’s thin lips twist into a semblance of a smile. “So that’s why my chambers were disturbed? Yes, I suspected that you and your human friend had been in my rooms. I have, it seems, lost one smoke bear.”
    “Kai isn’t my friend.” I stride to the table to stand face-to-face with the mage. “Merely a tool. And a useful one, you must admit.”
    “If he’s aided you with your latest efforts in reassembling the mirror, indeed he is.” Voss looks me up and down. “You want something of me, Thyra Winther?”
    “I do. I desire magic that will disguise my appearance so that I can pass unnoticed among mortals. And I wish for the freedom”—I lift my chin and stare into Voss’s icy eyes—“to travel to warmer realms.”
    “For what purpose?” The wizard’s gaze pierces me. It’s as if he’s looking through a pane of glass.
    “To find the shards whose existence has sadly slipped your mind, Master Voss.”
    He does not blink. “That is not all, I think.”
    “No.” I take a deep breath. “There’s a young girl searching for Kai. She must not find him.”
    Voss turns and glides to the tall windows, his crimson robes rippling across the floor. “You place me in a dilemma, my queen. Your request is reasonable, if you are to complete the mirror, which I dearly desire. But I fear”—he glances over his shoulder—“that granting you additional powers may not be in my best interest.”
    “You fear me, Master?” I fight the elation that