Page 14 of Season Warriors & Wolves

A flash of red silk caught my attention—bright ruby, just like he liked it. Then like a dam, all memory poured it. As if to taunt me.

What was he doing now? Was he alone like I was?

“You like it?”

I turned at the sound of my father’s voice and let go of the soft fabric, not wanting to taint my like for it. “Yes, I think I’ve found the perfect material to wear at your funeral.”

His jaw clenched and ticked briefly, and he grinned all teeth, still cautious of the attention on us. “You are funny, my daughter.”

“I’m going to rip you apart,” I said, laughing, playing along for our audience. “It will be glorious.”

“Sometimes, I cannot tell if you are plainly insane or—”

“There is no or. I am plainly insane. Play blood games, win bloody prizes, father.” I turned to the merchant standing back behind the stand and pointed to the fabric. “Twelve yards, please.”

The merchant hurried to assist my request. “That is quite a bit of material. Are you making a gown with it, princess?”

“Indeed,” I said, giving father a sweet smile. “A ball gown. For a very special occasion. Oh, and I must see some sparkly fabric of sorts. The sparkliest you’ve got.”

The merchant nodded and went to the back while I turned to my dear father. “Nothing screams funeral more than diamonds and glitter. And since no sun or moon will be shining on your death, I might as well.”

All of a sudden, a wave of dizziness washed over me, and my sight coated black before flashing visions that were not mine.

City. People. Snow. Deafening sounds that were making my ears bleed.

I put a hand to my chest, trying to calm the erratic heartbeat drumming on my ears. Except that my heart was beating at a steady pace.

Not visions. Not my heartbeat.

Memphis.

I hadn't realised father was gripping my arm to hold me upright. “What’s with you?”

“Let me be,” I said, pulling my arm out of his grip. To my luck, he just sneered and turned onto his merry way.

Carefully, I looked overhead, narrowing my eyes over the dark clouds that had not stopped pouring thick pellets of snow for hours. And in the midst of white and grey, I saw a flash of black disappear inside clouds before reappearing on the other side again.

No.

No.

God please do not let them fall for my father’s trap.

“Memphis,” I growled under my breath, hoping Melanthe’s craft had not blocked it entirely. “Go!” My bonded was more careless than me, but she knew not to do this. “Go!”

A group of soldiers rushed to my father’s side, animatedly explaining something to him while pointing to the city entrance.

Shit.

I turned to my guard. “What is happening?”

“A snowstorm.”

“A what?”

“They have been quite frequent these past few weeks. The wind is too harsh these days, it is raising the settled snow and the one falling. It has brought many casualties.”

“Storm. It’s because of a storm.” I looked up at the skies again, Memphis finally disappearing without reappearing again.