Page 64 of Winter Gods & Serpents

“Snow? What’s the matter? Nia asked unsure.

Yes Snow, what was the matter?

I didn’t look at the Adriatian who halted right before me. “I got hungry,” I said moving down the corridor.

“You have food in your room,” Nia argued, possibly wearing a scowl of confusion that I felt even with my head turned from her.

“I meant thirsty.” I moved quicker, hoping she’d stop the questioning. My bare feet slapping the ground gently.

“You have all sorts of that in there as well, remember?”

“Something warm.”

“You hate warm drinks,” she retorted in surprise.

I halted in a loud groan turning to her, how could I tell her that it scared me to leave her alone with him, that it made me feel like a terrible person not having thought this part through. “Nia, Caelum heaven I cannot sleep, happy?” My eyes shifted to the left and right onto the silver eyed snake’s—cold like their owner. They lingered over mine and somehow my own refused to stare away. “What?”

He threw a look down to my feet. “You have no shoes.”

I wiggled my toes over the cold floor. “I am aware.”

“I will retrieve them.”

“And if I throw a treat and rub your belly will you spin for me? Your duty is to remain beside me as silently as your barks can be, don’t make me put you on a nuzzle, Adriatian.” You play with your pray and they think the chase is a game and I wanted to enjoy the chase with both sides knowing it was a deadly one. Plus, it be a shame to have that face covered.

He stretched his neck, jaw flinched in obvious anger before he said, “As you wish.”

“Are we headed to the gardens? Please don’t, you have been sick twice already,” Nia warned, pulling my attention to her again, cutting the conversation with the silver eyed snake.

I turned, continuing past corridors. “Then we will be familiar with the third time, but it will not be today. I will roam about the kitchens tonight.”

We entered the kitchens, two candles built caving shadows, the sound of our steps echoing at the silence of night. Ken the cook had sat alone on one of the tables and was quietly sipping on a drink. I’d always find him here at this time, even when I was a child.

He made to stand after seeing me. “I will have it ready in moments.”

I waved my hands stopping him. “No, I am not hungry.”

He halted, blinking in surprise. “That is new.”

I fell silent standing before him not knowing what to do with myself and he eyed me in surprise. “A drink?”

I nodded and he went to get me a cup of ale.

“Half,” Nia called behind me, “she is light weight, Ken. Make it a quarter better.”

I turned annoyed at her. “Are you Alaric now?”

She huffed a short laugh. “If I was, I would have not let you drink at all. Remember that once you had two sips of wine and jumped on poor lanky Simon thinking he was a horse. Ken is old so you will feel bad, I don’t believe you will get near this one,” she said, pointing to Kilian who only blinked in shock at the revelation. “And that leaves me, and I most certainly will not be your pony for tonight.”

Heat creeped up my body and I felt my cheeks and ears flush red at her reveal in front of the Adriatian snake who stared blankly between myself and Nia after her words.

“Quarter cup of ale,” Ken said, sitting down with me. “Tough days or nights, pumpkin?”

All of it was tough, but did it matter? I didn’t answer as I took a sip from the bitter drink.

He slid a small plate of apple slices to me. “You used to bring Thora down here when she couldn’t sleep, now you come alone. You must miss her,” he said.

I remembered this place used to be our safe heaven—our latibule, we acted as if troubles unveiled us at the entrance, it still felt like it. Perhaps it was why I still liked it so much.