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I turned to look at them. “I can’t let you.”

“You did the same for us,” Alma said.

“This isn’t going to be like confronting an angry farmer. Alfrun knows magic. She’s powerful. It’ll be dangerous.”

Helena and Alma exchanged a glance. “We’re still coming,” Alma said.

“We are,” Helena added.

“I don’t want to put you in danger.”

“You’re not,” Helena said. “We’re putting ourselves there.”

Alma poured herself a cup of coffee. “I’m going to tell my father we’re all going to Stockholm for New Year’s to visit Lilja’s aunt. The train’s running again, and it’ll make sense.”

“I want to leave today,” I said. “I don’t want to risk Alfrun coming back here.”

Footsteps made us all turn to the corridor. Lilja stopped in the doorway. She had put on her red dress and the new shawl. They did go very well together, and my middle ached at the thought of how different everything had been when I had first had that thought.

I stood and wrapped her in my arms. “Are you all right?”

She nodded against my shoulder. “I am. For now.”

I pulled out a chair for her, and she sat. Helena filled a bowl of oatmeal and set it down in front of her. “Where’s Alfrun’s mountain?” I asked Lilja after her first mouthful because there was no time to waste.

Her dark eyes on me narrowed. “Why?”

“Because I’m going there. I’m going to demand she frees you. You said it yourself, the curse can be lifted.”

“She’ll never agree.”

“I’m going to try anyway.”

“I’m coming with you, then.” She put down her spoon, and the clank of metal against the wood was like an exclamation point at the end of her declaration.

“That’s too dangerous,” I said.

“It’s too dangerous for you if I don’t. As an elf, I do have some powers.”

That did make sense. I would have a better chance at convincing Alfrun if I wasn’t ripped to pieces by wolves before even making it inside these halls or whatever her court was. “All right.”

“We’re going too,” Helena said with a cheery lightness as if we were talking about a midsummer picnic.

Lilja turned to Alma and Helena. “Are you sure? It’s dangerous.”

“Of course.” Helena grinned. “Selma will need someone to burn her food, and I’m excellent at making a fire.”

“So where is it?” I asked Lilja. “Where are we going?”

“The mountain’s north of here. I’m not entirely sure where, but I’d recognize it.”

“Dalarna,” Alma said. “It has to be. That’s where both the doll and necklace are from.”

“Is that north?” Lilja asked.

“Yes. Three days’ ride I’d say, with two horses and a sleigh in this weather. A few more days to get into the mountains.”

“Let’s all eat,” I said. “Then we’ll start our preparations. I want to leave before noon.”