Now Lovisa could feel herself standing on solid ground. The queen had offered to shoulder her burden, but Lovisa wanted strong shoulders of her own, to carry well whatever she was given.

She indicated the state of her coat. “I’m a mess,” she said, “so I won’t sit down.”

Abruptly, Giddon stood and left the room. “Have you been in the sea?” the queen asked.

“Something like that.”

Giddon came back with a towel. “Oh,” Lovisa said, touched by this thoughtfulness. “Thank you.”

She took a moment to rub down her coat and legs. Then she said, “I’ve been thinking about your offer.”

“Yes?” said Bitterblue.

“I’m grateful,” said Lovisa. “For that, and for everything.” She took a careful breath. “I’ve decided that it’s my truth. I’ll say it myself.”

The queen’s eyes were bright. “You know you can always change your mind?”

“I know,” said Lovisa, who wasn’t going to change her mind.

The queen nodded. “I’m proud of you.”

“And now,” said Lovisa, reaching into her pocket, enclosing the small, cold ring in her hand, and holding it out to the queen. “Are you ready for a little magic?”

Cast of Characters

From Winterkeep

Ada Balava: An importer of Monsean zilfium.

Adventure Fox (Adventure, Ad): A blue fox bonded to Ferla Cavenda.

Arni Devret: The father of Mari Devret. A banker.

Benni Cavenda: The father of Lovisa Cavenda. An owner of a shipping business, an importer of Monsean zilfium, and an Industry representative in Parliament.

Davvi: The father of Nev. A builder.

Dev Dimara: A zilfium shipper and a Scholar representative in Parliament.

Earmuff: A blue fox bonded to Gorga Balava.

Ella: A housemaid at the Cavenda property in Torla’s Neck.

Erita Cavenda: A brother of Lovisa Cavenda, seven years old. Observant.

Ferla Cavenda: The mother of Lovisa Cavenda. The co-owner of a silver mine with her brother, Katu, a Scholar, and the President of Winterkeep.

Gorga Balava: A professor in the school of politics and government at the Winterkeep Academy and an Industry representative in Parliament.

Katu Cavenda: The brother of Ferla Cavenda, with whom he co-owns a silver mine. The uncle of Lovisa Cavenda. A traveler and adventurer.

The Keeper: A mythical undersea creature in the fairy tales told by the silbercows. The keeper of the planet, she exhorts silbercows and humans to help her protect the earth and the sea.

Kep Gravla: A student at the Winterkeep Academy and a childhood neighbor of Lovisa Cavenda and Mari Devret.

Little Guy: A blue fox kit living with Nev in the dorms of the Winterkeep Academy.

Liv: The cook at the Cavenda property in Torla’s Neck.

Lovisa Cavenda: A student of politics and government at the Winterkeep Academy. The daughter of Ferla and Benni Cavenda. The sister of Viri, Erita, and Vikti Cavenda. The niece of Katu Cavenda.

Mara Devret: The mother of Mari Devret. An Industry representative in Parliament.