winter months.
Guards moved like wraiths of silk on the ramparts of the citadel, and still the snow fell.
Iwan came and stood at her side, leaning against the doorframe, balancing his knife on his palm, dropping it, catching it deftly, throwing it up to cartwheel before catching it again.
She saw in the corner of her eye the dull gleam of the blade as he tossed and snatched at it, and all the while as he played with the knife, he hummed softly to himself under his breath. It was as though he was idly waiting for her to say or do something.
Branwen reached out and caught the knife by the handle as it was about to drop into Iwan’s palm for the twentieth time.
‘Do I disturb you, Branwen?’ he asked mildly as she handed the knife back to him, hilt first.
‘Deeply and often,’ she said without looking at him.
‘Good. I’m glad,’ he replied. ‘Then we are even.’ There was a pause. ‘You worry me, barbarian princess,’ he continued. ‘A surfeit of honour in such times as these may catch in the throat and choke a person to death. And I wouldn’t have you fall, Branwen – not for the world.’
‘I shan’t fall,’ she said, still staring out into the never-ending snowfall.
‘I’d say that was pride running wild if anyone but you said it,’ Iwan replied. ‘But even you are not indestructible, Branwen. And you’re not indispensable. If you die, the Shining Ones will find another …’
She turned her head to look at him now, and there was genuine concern in his face.
‘It might be as easy as picking up windfall apples in the autumn for the Shining Ones to replace you, Branwen,’ he said. ‘But there are those among us who will find it much harder.’ He rolled the knife over his open palms. ‘I’m only saying be careful. You’re not as unbreakable as you think.’ He shrugged. ‘It’s a shame, but it’s true.’
Branwen frowned. ‘Why do you always do that?’ she asked.
‘What?’
‘Turn everything into a joke.’
‘Is that what I’m doing?’ he said, looking into her eyes. ‘Then perhaps it’s because I’m waiting for some sign from you.’
She let out a breath, white as steam into the night air. ‘We’re all waiting on a sign,’ she said, her eyes turning broodingly to the west again. ‘I’d hoped the Shining Ones would show their goodwill towards us by making Linette better – but she still lingers in the sickbed, and from the looks of Rhodri and Blodwedd, you’d think she might die.’ She checked herself. ‘She won’t, of course – but a quick healing would be some proof that Rhiannon and Govannon are with me still.’
‘I see you don’t mention the others. Are Merion and Caradoc not your friends, then?’
‘Blodwedd believes they may be angry with me – she thinks I made a mistake in coming here against their wishes.’
‘Let’s hope she’s mistaken,’ said Iwan. ‘Although this endless winter might suggest that Caradoc has little love for you.’
‘Blodwedd says the snow is not a punishment,’ said Branwen, gesturing to the sky full of snow. ‘She thinks Caradoc is at play, full of his own self-importance and willing to do anything to amuse himself.’ She gave Iwan a sidelong glance, her lip curled in a smile. ‘A little like you.’
Iwan pursed his lips, tapping the flat of his knife against his palm. ‘If I had the power of the winds,’ he said, ‘I wouldn’t torment you with blizzards. I’d bring you warm southern breezes and clear blue skies.’ He looked into her eyes, no hint of mockery in his gaze. ‘And if I had Govannon’s power over living things, I’d have the birds sing you to sweet sleep every day’s eve.’
Branwen’s heart galloped as she held his gaze. His hand moved to push a lock of hair off her face. She lifted her own hand and thrilled at the touch of his skin. Her mouth was dry, her throat tight, and for a few moments it felt as though her legs might fail under her.
‘You are a marvel to me, Branwen ap Griffith,’ he murmured, his fingers still warm against her cheek. ‘This is no time for troth-plighting, not when our lives hang by a thread, but when peace comes at last, if we two are still alive, then we shall speak again …’ His eyes pierced her to the soul. ‘If you wish it.’
‘I do wish it,’ she whispered. With all my heart I wish it!
He smiled, withdrawing his hand. ‘There,’ he