Legacy

21. The Ice Breaker

Raina could barely remember the first time she saw snow. She recalled the small, white flakes falling slowly, disappearing into the warmth of the ground. The wind had left her cheeks rosy red, and Raina could even remember the slight chill of the ice melting on her outstretched tongue. Raina realized now how her memories had betrayed her because not once did she think the powder would leave her so cold.

The chill had left Raina's entire face numb, and the snow had seeped into her boots, exposing her feet to the harsh weather. If that wasn't enough, Raina was being strangled by the bundle of clothes she was wearing to protect herself from the element.

Mal had gifted her a steel blue cloak as well as other garb that matched it and hugged around her waist. She also received a jacket, boots, and gloves all lined with fur. If Mal had not been generous enough, which she had, she had also bestowed one of her own handcrafted blades to Raina. It was thin and fit her hand, which made it easy for Raina to make swift movements. She hadn't been able to stop swishing it back and forth through the air, admiring the way the blade sliced the air. Mal had added her signature touch of red to the handle, giving the sword an air of ferocity.

Of course, Raina knew this wasn't a gift. It was an exchange. Mal gave Raina the tools she needed to succeed, and she would bring back the herb to save Lance's life.

The creaking of a door awoke Raina from her thoughts, and she saw that she had arrived at her destination: Mal's stables. Sam, who had been leading the way, threw a glare over her shoulder, and that was all Raina needed to know that she needed to pick up the pace. Sam had already made it quite clear that she was not a fan of the princess.

Raina rolled her eyes. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Sam was Mal's daughter, which had surprised Raina. Mal didn't give off a motherly vibe even when she was around her daughter. Mal treated Sam like a soldier heading into combat. Even more surprising, Sam was Lance's cousin, meaning Mal had a greater relationship with Lance than he had originally let on. Although, now that saw Sam's wild, raven hair, Raina wasn't sure how she hadn't noticed the relation before.

Other than a few physical traits, Lance and Sam didn't share much else. In fact, she chose not to speak to Raina and ignored the princess when she tried to start a conversation.

Raina gave a relieved sigh as she entered the warmth of the stables and jumped only slightly as Sam slammed the doors shut. There were a total of five horses, two donkeys, and one pony. All of the animals stirred at the new arrivals, their eyes growing bigger at the expectation of food. The air was musty, and Raina's nose twitched at the dirt. Her poor nose had been through too much today.

Sam wasted no time preparing a white horse in the last stable.

"This is Sophie," Sam said, marking the first time she had spoken to Raina since they had met an hour ago. "She's on the older side, but she is the most gentle, so she'll have to do for now. Just don't be too rough with her."
Raina nodded and watched in confusion as Sam went two stalls down to a large brown horse.

"Is someone going with me to get the medicine?" Mal had made it clear that none of her men would be going, and Reggie was missing in action since his outburst.

"Me."

"I thought Mal said-"

Sam slammed her fist against the wall and directed her sharp, auburn eyes at Raina. "I don't care what my mother said. I'm not going to leave Lance's life in the hands of some little brat."

"Excuse me?" Raina burst out. The weather was no longer the only thing that had grown cold.

Sam snorted. "Just stay out of my way. I'm coming. End of story." She led her horse outside, leaving Raina to simmer in the heat of her anger.