And thick in my head, was Tristan’s panic. Stay behind the walls, I silently pleaded, clinging to Martin’s sleeve. It’s a trick. She’s trying to lure you out. But I’d given up my only way to ensure he stayed safe.

Martin’s mouth was moving, but I couldn’t hear anything over the sound of the battle going on behind us. “He said it was here!” I screamed.

Our slab of ice slammed into the rock walls, water flooded over the edges, soaking into my clothes. “It was a trick,” I sobbed. “Nothing but a trick.”

But Martin’s face was intent, eyes examining the faces of the trolls on the wall. “The Duke,” he shouted, then, “It has to be there. Hold on.” He backed up, sprinted across the slab, and dived straight at the wall.

And disappeared.

“Martin,” I screamed, and a second later, his head appeared through the illusion blocking the entrance.

Then the ice collapsed beneath me, water closing over my head.

Chapter Thirty-One

Tristan

I stared off into space while Josette sat quietly in the chair opposite, her face pale, one foot bouncing up and down at a frenetic pace. I would’ve liked to do the same, but I was playing a part, and had been doing so for hours. Tiny little signs of irritation and anger, and a distinct loss of focus. Enough for Josette to clue-in that her sister’s spell was wearing off and to set Winter’s plan in motion.

Little did she know that the spell had faded at dawn this morning.

Which was a problem in and of itself. Cécile was in the thick of it, and as much as I knew this was only Winter toying with her fear in order to lure me out, my nerves were stretched tight. Every instinct told me to go to her, but that would have me falling for Winter’s ploy, whereas I had every intention of her falling for mine.

“Why do you insist on sitting here?” I finally snapped. “Isn’t there something else you should be doing?”

“I’m keeping you company,” she said, rising to her feet and throwing another few pieces of wood on the already blazing fire.

“What you’re doing is cooking me alive,” I muttered, pulling off my coat and throwing it carelessly over the back of the chair. “It’s aggravating.”

“Oh?” Her voice brightened. “I mean… I thought it rather cool in here.”

I shook my head. “Come, Souris. Let’s get some fresh air.” I led him up into the tower, leaning over the parapet and then drumming my fingers against the edge. Taking a deep breath, I paced swiftly back and forth across the tower, stopping from time to time to look in the direction of Trollus. And my father.

Because if my plan for Winter succeeded, he’d be my next target.