The Changeling Soldier by Shona Husk Page B

reason he was asking so many questions, but she wanted to hear him say it. “What are you planning?”
    He looked at her for a moment then sighed. “I’ve had the same dream all my life. I fight in a battle where the ground is covered in blue-stained snow. Bodies are all around. The dream is becoming more frequent and it’s changing, becoming clearer. When I saw you the other day, I had a vision of you promising to keep my soul safe while I was in Annwyn as the snow fell around us. Does it snow in Annwyn?”
    Her blood froze in her veins. Surely not. He couldn’t be dreaming of a civil war in Annwyn? If Annwyn went to war, it was be bad for everyone. When King Gwyn had taken the throne, there had been decades of fighting, and many mortals had perished in the plagues.
    She closed her eyes, feeling weaker with every breath. Was there any point in going home when Annwyn was going to tear itself apart?
    “Ella?” He touched her cheek. “You’re freezing.”
    “Eletta. My name is Eletta merch Arawn.” She forced her eyes open. Isaac’s face was only inches from hers, his eyes filled with concern. She might have only just met him but he’d shown her more care and understanding than anyone had in a very long time. And he wasn’t being nice to gain position or favors. He genuinely cared. Maybe he wasn’t as fairy as she’d first thought. “When the old King is dying, so does the magic. Annwyn is coming into winter, which is why I’m cold, and if you’re right, civil war will follow, as there are two claimants for the throne.” She would be diving into Court politics at the worst possible time. She placed her hand over his, enjoying the warmth of his skin against hers. “Who wins?”
    “I don’t know. But it’s drawing closer, and I’m meant to be there, Eletta.”
    Her real name rolled off his tongue as easily as if he were truly fairy. For a moment she could see him readying for a war he didn’t have to fight in, and she couldn’t bear the thought of taking him across the veil, only to watch him die. “Do you live?”
    He nodded. “I do, and so do you. That much I know.”
    “Would you trust me with your soul?” Could she really take that from him?
    The edges of a plan to take down Melody began to form. A plan that would reveal his sister’s true colors to Isaac so he wouldn’t hate her for what Melody did.
    “I’m not sure I have a choice.”
    She realized he’d already reached a similar conclusion. His soul for Melody’s deal. She closed her eyes for a moment. “There’s something else you should know. Your soul gives you compassion and the ability to fall in love so easily. Fairies can fall in love, but it’s harder. Fairies aren’t as honest and open as mortals. Letting someone close goes against our nature. Could you live knowing that?” Did she want to see him colder and calculating?
    A smile curved his lips. “Are you being open and honest with me?”
    She considered him for a moment and the corners of her mouth quirked up. Her heart beat a little faster as for a moment the cold left her body and was replaced with desire. “Yes.” Then she beckoned him closer. “We do this together?”
    He nodded, his lips only inches from hers and his breath on her skin. A shiver swept through her but it had nothing to do with feeling cold and everything to do with anticipation.
    She wanted to kiss him to see what it would be like.
    Unable to resist any longer she lifted her hand. It trembled as her fingers traced his cheek. “Are you sure you want to fight in a battle that isn’t your concern?”
    “I’ve been waiting my whole life to know what that dream means.” He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips that left them tingling with a heat she longed to bask in. He drew back too soon, leaving her hungry for more. “Should I let Melody know that I’ll give up my soul?”
    “Not yet.” She stole another kiss. The heat of his body warmed her as she enjoyed the taste of his lips. For