I realized that I was having trouble breathing—my chest felt tight, as if some invisible serpent were coiling around me, squeezing till I could barely think. My heart felt like it was expanding, with nowhere to go. I tried to calm myself, but now real fear took over, and I realized I could not move. The spirits and the mist were keeping me down, and the Elementals’ singing was hitting me directly in my heart chakra. A shift…and another…something was happening to me. I struggled, still unable to speak.

Trying to gulp air, I thrashed, lungs burning as they worked to break free of the constriction. And then, as the world began to waver and I realized I was dying, a light began to glow over my chest, a bright, intense, bluish light that was white hot at its center. It was emanating out of me, rising up in a flowing stream from my chest, and it crystallized as I watched, forming into a fist-sized blue faceted gem.

Breathing forgotten, I stared, mesmerized, as the gem took on a life of its own. And then I knew. This was my heartstone. Whatever they were doing to me, it was creating the heartstone that would forever be a part of me.

As I relaxed, giving in to the sensation of death, a rush of wind blew through me and I began to spiral out of my body. In front of me was the shadow shape of a great owl. She was white, with black bands on her wings, and her eyes gleamed blue, like the ice of my heartstone. I gasped as she leaned forward and spread her wings. They were huge, and beautiful, and stretched out in a hush of whispers, waving a breeze before them. Every sweep of her feathers commanded the wind.

The owl pressed her head to mine, and I caught my breath as she blended into me, merging, melding, folding her wings around me only to have them disappear as they entered my body.

I am you. You are me. This is what you are becoming.

The owl’s thoughts became my own, as did her hunger and the dark pull to live under the moon rather than the sun. She was a predator, feral and fierce, but she was not evil—no, she was nature incarnate, the cycle of life in action. She let out a loud shriek as an agonizing pain hit me in the chest, stabbing so deep that I reeled back into my body. I opened my mouth and found my voice again as the owl’s shriek became my own, soaring through the chamber as the searing pain sliced me into ribbons.

The icicle on the ceiling shivered and then came crashing down. As the point aimed directly toward me, I screamed “No!” and it shattered into a thousand pieces, showering the Elementals and me with tiny shards of ice.

And then, as quickly as the pain had descended, and as long as it had lasted, with a sudden rush, it rolled back through my body like the sea, receding in a wave, and vanished in a single puff of mist. The Elementals stood back as I lay, spent and panting, on the bed. The spirits departed, and I was once again free to move.

As I slowly sat up, I glanced at my chest, expecting to see blood or a wound, but there was no sign of anything amiss. And then, as I glanced over, the silver box caught my attention. In the center was a glowing sapphire, as brilliant and vivid as any stone I’d ever seen. It pulsed with my breath, it shimmered with my thoughts. And I realized, there, in the silver chest, was the core of my existence. My heartstone. And as long as it stood, barring accident or deliberate attack, so would I stand.

Chapter 7

My heartstone. I slowly sat up. Reaching out, I passed my fingers over it. With a glance at the Elementals, I went to touch it, but one of the glacial giants gently grabbed my wrist, stopping me. And then I realized—I must never touch the heartstone again, unless I wanted it to reabsorb into me as Lainule’s had reabsorbed into her. I withdrew my hand and nodded at the Elemental.

They stepped back, standing two to a side by my heartstone. I had the feeling I was supposed to do something now but wasn’t sure what. I hesitated, not sure if I should stand up. What had the ritual done to me? How had it changed me?

As I was debating, a soft sound caught my attention and I turned to see Lainule standing there. She looked different—and then I realized her hair was almost entirely auburn now, with golden highlights peeking through. Faint lines crisscrossed under her eyes. She smiled at me softly, though, and her eyes were luminous and moist, as if she’d been crying.

“Rhiannon—” It hit me that if I’d been going through this, so must have my cousin. “Is she okay?”

“She passed through the transformation. She is alive and her heartstone lives. Now the heartstones must be hidden, and then the two of you will undergo your coronations. Twice morningtide has come and gone in this realm since you ventured here.”

“I thought our coronations were to take place on the Solstice?” Time in the Fae realms still confused me.

“And so they shall. In this realm, time passes at a different rate, just as it did when you entered my realm seeking my heartstone. Outside, in the Marburry and Eldburry Barrows, barely a moment has passed, and outside the portals, the same. Tomorrow night, you become the Queen of Snow and Ice, Cicely.”

She held out her hand and I took it, rising to my feet, if a little unsteady. I felt odd, different. As I steadied myself on the side of the bed, she handed me the silver gown and I slipped back into it.

“What does it mean, having a heartstone created out of you? I mean, how will it affect me?” There was so much I still didn’t understand or know, and I wondered if I’d ever fully comprehend what was going on.

But Lainule laughed, her voice rich and reverberating off the walls. “Trust. Trust that you can hold this post, wield this power, grow into your position. When I was first Queen, it was terrifying. I was petrified that I couldn’t meet up to the expectations. The Queen of Rivers and Rushes who came before me, she was brilliant and gracious and everyone loved her. I can never be as genial as she was, but we each must mold our rule around the person we are.”

“What was her name? And why…how did you become Queen?” I leaned on her arm as we walked along, still feeling weak and dizzy. Oddly enough, the cold of the cavern no longer fazed me.

Lainule let out a long breath. She ducked her head, then smiled again. “Her name was Iolie, and she was the morning sun. Everyone loved her. She ruled for…I have no idea how long. I came to the throne relatively young. She was old…old past counting. I know the names of the Fae Queens before her, but they are simply words against the mists of time, now. Iolie was…stretched thin. When a Fae Queen lives for thousands of years, she begins to wane, little by little. Iolie lived so long she grew weary of life. She chose to reclaim her heartstone and return to the Golden Isle. She outlived her immediate heirs, but I was her great-great-great-great-granddaughter. And so I became Queen.”

We were progressing through the winding hall now, and every wall, every panel and tile of ice in the castle seemed to glow from within with a rich, blue luminescence.

“I don’t remember the lights.”

“You created them. Drawing forth the heartstone has given life to the realm again. This place is part of the realm of Snow and Ice—it is far from your Barrow, but it is still part of your realm. You have given your lifeblood, your essence, to this place, and it renews itself. You’ve brought rejuvenation and renewal to the realm.”

She laughed again. “Oh, Cicely—there will be so many things for you to learn and to see, and to experience. Have you not noticed that you no longer feel the extreme cold?”

I nodded. “Is that part of…this transformation?”

“Yes. Just as Rhiannon no longer feels extreme heat. All full-blooded Fae can withstand the elements better than the yummanii or the magic-born, but you were not full-blooded. Now, though, that you have melded yourselves with the realms, you have the powers of the Queens. There will be more. But mark my words carefully.”

Here she stopped and turned to me, holding me by the shoulders. “You are not invincible. Queens can die. Queens can be murdered. Accidents can happen, even with the heartstones in a protected place. Do not let down your guard and do not be careless.”

I nodded, taking her words to heart. Seeing her almost fade and die had proved that point to me better than any warning could.

“What about hiding the heartstone?”

“That is your next task. The Ice Elementals will help you. They will be at your beck and call, and none can thwart their powers. If an enemy tries to turn them, if their magic is so strong that it might succeed, the Elemental Guardian will simply crumble to shards. You will always have four Elemental Guardians that will do your every bidding. Others of their kind will hearken to you, but there will always be four bound to you. If one is destroyed, another will take its place.”

A thought struck me, and I almost panicked. “I’m a Wind Witch, not an Ice Witch. What about Ulean? She’ll still be with me, won’t she?” I loved Ulean and couldn’t bear the thought that I might have to give her up.

Of course I will be. You merge wind and ice now. Fret not, I am with you, my friend. Ulean’s whisper came racing through the slipstream, and I almost jumped for joy.

Ulean! You’re here!

I served Lainule even though she was Queen of Summer. Elementals are not tied to strict rules unless they have been bound to one person, and we are bound. Although an Ice Elemental could not stand in the Court of Rivers and Rushes and survive. Just as a Fire Elemental would wisp away here and grow weak.

Relieved, I tried to stand on my own, but apparently I was still too shaky, and Lainule grabbed my elbow and wrapped her arm around my waist. It felt odd, the Queen herself being my support, but she simply smiled and I gratefully accepted her help.

As we entered the main hall of the castle, I gasped. The frozen tableau had come to life, and all the statues carved in ice were living, breathing members of the Court. Or at least, at first I thought they were, until I noticed they were translucent. But they bustled around in a silent hush of activity.

Not sure what to think, I glanced at Lainule. “Who are they?”

“Shades of the Court of Snow and Ice. They are the memories of those who grew so old they faded into time rather than retreat to the Golden Isle. Their memory still lives; they still go about their business but with no notice of what transpires today. They are the specters of your court.”

“Specters…what about those whom Myst murdered? Do they still haunt these halls? Do they still haunt the Marburry Barrow?” I gazed at the specters as they trekked through the hall, stopping, speaking to invisible companions, hurrying by on errands long, long taken care of.

Lainule’s expression darkened and her shoulders stiffened. “You may find, in the Barrow itself, that yes, there will be ghosts that walk the halls. If you do, then be wary. Hauntings—ghosts—are different than shades. Ghosts who walk because of violent deaths can be dangerous and, at times, envy the living to the point of attack. I will warn Rhiannon, too. So far, we have seen none since we moved back into Marburry, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there, skulking in shadows. If you do find ghosts, there are those in the Court who know how to deal with them. Strict will know who to ask.”

And then we were at the door.

Lainule turned to me. “Here I must leave you for the moment and go waken Rhiannon from her ordeal. The Elementals will help you hide your heartstone.”

“I’m still feeling weak—”

She held out a small cake. “Eat this, and all will be well.” And then she vanished—just disappeared from where we were standing.

The cake in my hand felt light, insubstantial, but I bit into it and a honey-rich flavor spread through my mouth, so delicate and sweet that I closed my eyes so nothing would distract me from the taste. As I swallowed, a warmth stole through my body, flushing me lightly, as it renewed and recharged me. A moment later, I felt like I’d eaten a full meal and was on the top of my game. Whatever those were, I needed the recipe!

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I turned to find the Ice Elementals standing near me. One held the silver box, now closed. But I could feel the beat of my heartstone within it, and as I gazed up into their impassive faces, it dawned on me that they were holding my life in their hands.

Two went ahead, motioning for me to walk behind them. The other two—with the box—fell in at the rear. I wondered how we were to get over the bridge—it had shattered—but there, in a swath of brilliant gleaming ice, a walkway crossed the chasm. It was solid and this time, when I put my foot on it, it held fast, with no splintering.

We crossed the bridge and they turned to the left, leading me toward the horizon of trees. I expected to get tired, with all that had gone on, but my stamina stood steady, and whatever was in that little cake had given me plenty of energy. And—as I’d noticed when I first arrived—I was walking on top of the snow, not sinking in.

My thoughts were racing as we approached the tree line. I wondered what Rhiannon was doing. She was likely readying herself to hide her heartstone in the realm of Summer, and I imagined she was being led by Fire Elementals.

Ulean, are you here? I asked into the slipstream, but there was no answer.

She cannot hear you. One of the Ice Elementals turned his head to stare over his shoulder at me, startling me.

Why?

She is not bound to die for you should others attack. She cannot know the location of your heartstone and you must never tell her.

His words hit home. My heartstone…destroy it, you destroy me. And no one, not Grieve, not Luna or Kaylin or Peyton or Chatter…or Ulean…could know where it was hidden. My Ice Elementals and I would be the only ones who knew where it was, and they would die before giving up the information.

The ramifications of what we were doing were beginning to work their way into my brain. Even in the past day or two, I hadn’t really understood the magnitude of the transformations we were going through, but now I was beginning to grasp how much was at stake and just how far this was going to take us from everything we ever knew.