The day continued the same as it had yesterday, cold, irritating, but thankfully boring. My insides warmed when Soren and I caught up to Rosamund, and they began questioning each other about where they lived before court. From side by side, there were definitely similarities. Both had sharp jawlines and thick hair, though very different shades, both had eyes slightly tilted upward at the back corner, giving an odd feline-predator expression to their faces. But Soren had a widow’s peak where Rose did not, and Rose’s cheeks were much fuller than Soren’s nearly gaunt-looking cheekbones.

“You said you grew up near White Fang River?” Soren asked.

“Yeah, close enough to walk to it and back without wasting much time.”

“Tanya told me my mother used to have a small house there, not a manor or anything, and she liked to visit that part of the woods.”

“My mother raised me in a little house.”

“Made by wood and stone? Fire-warmed?” Soren asked.

Rosamund nodded.

“Guess that means I’m older than you.”

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get too cocky, cousin.”

I snickered at the two of them. When they weren’t at each other’s throats due to some insignificant thing, they actually got on quite well together. Behind us, Seppo happily bit his lip while trying to keep from splitting his face open from smiling; any outward acceptance of Rosamund also meant outward acceptance of the red-haired goblin’s and his relationship. For now, the weight pressing down on my chest had lifted slightly, and I could breathe easier than I could in days. I had no doubt I’d have to speak to Soren again, this stuff didn’t exactly stick around the first time you heard it, but I understood because I’d been there, and thinking back over the many times he’d been there for me—even if I hadn’t recognized it in my blind pain and hatred—I now knew the lengths he’d gone to keep me sane after my trauma. I would do the same for him.

Lydian had us stop when the sun was more than three quarters of the way down, pointing out another well-built snow den. “We stay here until first light. If we’re lucky, we could be able to cross the void into the two worlds by two more days.” He pointed to a dark, thickened bloodred line that only he and I could see.

“I have a feeling we won’t get there undisturbed,” Diaval said, having chosen a space to sit, and was now cross-legged with her eyes closed, palms up. Little bits of electric blue crackled from her fingertips.

“I’m not magical or anything, but Diaval’s probably right.” Seppo raised his voice in agreement. “Hope this time it’s a person and not a giant animal.”