The Essence (The Pledge 2)

I thought of the way Floss had reacted to my proposition, like a child who’d just lost his favorite toy. Sadly, I think that’s how he felt about me taking the girl, like I’d stolen some piece of personal property from him.

I was determined to give Avonlea a place in this world, to make her feel wanted. Special.

I’d watched her shiver, with only the blanket to ward away the bitter chill. “Please. Take my cloak.” I reached for the top button, but her hand had stopped me, her fingers firm and cold over my own.

“N-no . . .” Her teeth had chattered. “I won’t take it. And it won’t do any good for you to insist. . . . I won’t take it. It’s one thing to accompany the queen,” she maintained, her hand moving back to draw her blanket tighter again. “It’s another thing to take the coat off your back.”

I shook my head, wishing she’d change her mind, but knowing she wouldn’t.

We’d have to get her something more suitable when we arrived. I told myself. Something warmer . . . and cleaner.

Something new.

Despite my initial misgivings about the beauty of the castle’s structure, I had to admit it was magnificent in its own intimidating way. It looked solid, fortified by iron-spiked gates and tall, invulnerable walls. At the very least, I felt safe at the idea of being there, in relative isolation, for as long as the summit lasted.

Now I shivered, rubbing my elbows beneath my heavy wool cloak.

“I can’t believe we made it,” I breathed, puffs of air punctuating my every word.

“We almost didn’t. At least not today.” Zafir reminded me, and I eyed him suspiciously, wondering how it was that he

never seemed to be cold. He wore the same thin jacket

he always had, his hands clasped behind his back as he stood with me at the railing, watching the palace come into view.

He was right, though. The ferryman hadn’t wanted to make this last run of the day, warning us that a storm was brewing, that it wasn’t safe for anyone to be out tonight.

Dubiously, we’d turned our gazes skyward at his prediction.

“It’s coming,” he’d assured us when I mentioned that the sky looked clear enough. “Just ’cause you can’t see trouble, don’t mean it ain’t there.”

Zafir had offered the man five times the normal fares for each of us, and even though he’d balked, grousing that we were all in danger if we didn’t make it to land by nightfall, in the end he’d agreed. Money did that to a man—made him willing to take risks he’d otherwise avoid.

In this case, I was relieved. We were freezing, all of us. And the idea of spending another night out in the elements held no appeal. Already, I worried that my toes inside my boots, were succumbing to “the nip.” Everyone knew that temperatures could drop so low they’d freeze appendages right off. I wasn’t sure how much more any of us could take.

“Do you think Brook’s already here?” I asked, forcing my teeth not to clatter together when I spoke. “Do you think she’s worried?”

“You heard the ferry operator, people have been coming and going for weeks in preparation for the summit. Three large parties arrived yesterday alone. We can’t be sure any of them were ours.” And then he glanced down at me, his expression softening. “Be patient. We’ll find out soon enough.” His gaze shot back to the looming form of Vannova palace.

“I’m glad we’re not the first to arrive.”

Zafir didn’t say anything; it was third time I’d made that same statement. I couldn’t help being nervous; it was my first summit, my first encounter with other queens. Already, I could feel my resolve slipping. I bounced up and down, trying to keep warm. “You should check on Avonlea again. See if she’s okay.”

Zafir sighed. “She’s fine, Your Majesty. She was fine when I checked on her an hour ago, and she’s still fine. Besides, I doubt she’d complain even if she weren’t.”

“I suppose you’re right,” I admitted, turning my attention toward the darkening sky, although it didn’t change the fact that I was concerned about her.

Ahead of us, the docks seemed to materialize from out of nowhere as the boat parted the dense fog. There were far-off shouts coming from people we still couldn’t see, as preparations were being made for our arrival.

Somewhere out there, a horn sounded. It was a deep noise that managed to cut through all the other commotion. Mere seconds had passed before an answering blast sounded from our own vessel.

The ferry came to a sudden stop then, jolting us as it collided with the side of the pier. Since there were no surprised gasps from around us, I guessed that the abrupt landing must be usual.

And then pandemonium erupted, as the men and women working the piers began throwing thick ropes to the crewmembers onboard. Together they pulled and heaved and fastened until the boat was stabilized and the gangway could be set.

Suddenly I was anxious about getting off the ship.

Nerves seized my innards and I wanted to turn back, to journey back through the Scablands and forget all about the summit. To pretend I had nothing at all to gain from meeting the other queens.

I wanted to go home.

And then I saw them.

Aron and Brooklynn, standing amid the gathered crowds. Brook’s impatient glare made it seem as if she might storm the ship at any moment. Aron, on the other hand, looked relaxed and nonplussed, the way he always did, as if this was just any other moment in any other day.