The sea stretched endlessly around the ship. Grey water. Grey sky. The wind never stopped.
For three days the vessel cut through the northern waves, its tall sails snapping loudly above the deck. Sailors climbed the ropes like restless shadows while the wooden hull groaned beneath the pressure of the sea.
Sonia spent most of those days near the rail. Her chair had been placed where she could face the open water. The cold wind pulled at the fur cloak wrapped around her shoulders, but she hardly seemed to notice.
Her face remained frowning. Servants came and went around her, offering food, warm drinks, or blankets.
She rarely accepted any of them. Her thoughts stayed far away from the ship. Far away from the sea. Far away from Kings' City.
But every now and then, something shifted inside her. A memory rose. The sight of a familiar face. And when that happened, the frown slowly faded.
Each time she remembered that she was sailing home, her lips curved slightly. Only one came to her mind.
Newton Ice.
The name moved quietly through her thoughts.
"If he was there," she murmured softly to herself, her eyes fixed on the restless waves, "he would support me."
Her fingers tightened against the arm of the chair. "He would not have given me away to that psychopath."
The sea wind carried her words away. Sonia wrapped her arms slowly across her chest. For a moment she closed her eyes. Newton's face appeared clearly in her mind.
His stubborn smile. His restless energy. The way he never treated her like she was fragile.
Her chest tightened. "I miss you," she whispered. Her voice barely rose above the wind. "Even though you love me just like a sister."
Her lips trembled slightly. "I love you more than that."
Her eyes opened again and drifted toward the horizon. "I want you as my man."
The waves continued rolling endlessly beneath the ship. Sonia slowly stretched one hand toward the open air..The wind rushed between her fingers. For a moment nothing happened.
Then wings fluttered above the mast. A white shape descended from the grey sky. The dove landed gently on her palm. Its tiny claws pressed softly against her skin.
Sonia's fingers curled carefully around it. She stared at the small bird. Just like before. Just like the last time. The dove carried something familiar.
A scent. A warmth.
It carries Newton's presence.
The faint smell of the northern forests clung to its feathers. Something inside her chest loosened slightly.
She lifted the bird closer to her face.."You came again," she whispered. The dove tilted its head. The ship rocked gently beneath them.
For a few quiet moments she simply held the bird there. And for the first time since leaving Kings' City, she felt completely calm.
On the third evening, the sky above Snowland glowed pale with fading sunlight. The northern coast stretched along the horizon, dark cliffs rising above the restless sea.
Trumpets suddenly sounded from the harbor towers. The sharp notes cut through the cold air.
Inside the city walls, the sound echoed across the stone streets. Newton jerked upright. He had been inside his chamber when the horns began.
His head snapped toward the window. Another trumpet blast followed. His heart jumped. "They are back," he whispered.
He leaped to his feet. "My family is back." Newton rushed out of the chamber. His boots struck the stone floor loudly as he ran through the corridors.
Servants stepped aside quickly as he passed. He burst through the castle gates and sprinted down the path toward the harbor.
Cold wind rushed against his face. Then the shoreline came into view.
Newton slowed as he reached the edge of the harbor. He stopped there. His chest rose and fell quickly as he stared out across the sea.
Woodlands ships were approaching. Several of them. Their tall sails rose above the waves. And on those sails fluttered two familiar emblems.
The wolf of the Firstmen. The stag of the Norsemen.
Newton's smile widened. "They made it back."
Behind him, the harbor began filling with people. Several northern lords arrived on horseback. Generals in fur-lined armor stepped onto the docks. Soldiers gathered along the shoreline.
All waiting for the arrival of the Warden.
The ships moved closer. Their hulls cut steadily through the water until the harbor towers cast shadows across their decks.
Ropes were thrown. Sailors shouted commands. The vessels slowly pressed against the wooden docks.
The gangplank dropped with a heavy thud. Edmond Woodland stepped down first. His boots landed firmly on the dock.
Newton did not wait. He rushed forward. Edmond barely had time to turn before Newton threw his arms around him.
The older man laughed softly and embraced him back. "You grew restless without us," Edmond said.
Newton pulled away and grinned. "You took too long." Behind Edmond, the others began stepping off the ship.
John appeared next. Newton wrapped him in a quick embrace. Then Titiana jumped down from the gangplank.
Newton caught her in a hug before she even reached the dock.
Finally Sonia appeared. Her chair was rolled carefully down the plank. Newton moved toward her immediately. He leaned down and hugged her gently.
"Welcome home."
Sonia held him tightly for a moment. Behind them, Lady Bianca stepped onto the dock as well. But she remained several steps away. Her eyes passed briefly over Newton before turning elsewhere.
She did not approach. She never had.
Bianca did not consider Newton part of the family. Yet she never stopped her children from loving him either.
Titiana suddenly pointed at Newton. Her eyes widened dramatically. "You are looking fat!" The accusation burst out loudly.
For a moment there was silence. Then everyone around them burst into laughter. Even Edmond chuckled. Newton placed a hand over his stomach.
"Fat?" he protested.
Titiana nodded enthusiastically. "You ate too much while we were gone."
The laughter continued..Newton shook his head, still smiling. Then his eyes dropped. They landed on the wheelchair. He crouched slightly beside it.
His hand brushed along the wooden frame. "Wow." He studied the wheels with clear fascination. "What is this?" He asked.
Sonia smiled. "They call it a wheelchair."
"This is a great innovation."
Sonia smiled softly. She nodded. "Yeah." Her fingers tapped lightly against the armrest. "But you still have to do your job of carrying me around."
Newton straightened quickly. He placed a hand over his chest and bowed dramatically. "As my future queen eases."
Sonia laughed quietly.
Newton bent down and lifted her carefully from the chair. Her arms wrapped loosely around his neck as he carried her toward the castle path.
Behind them, Edmond remained near the harbor. Several lords and generals had already gathered around him.
Their conversation began immediately. Newton walked steadily toward the house. Sonia rested lightly in his arms.
For a moment neither of them spoke. Then Newton glanced down at her. "How was your prince?" His tone was casual. "I hope you both got along."
Sonia's smile disappeared instantly. Her face tightened. "He is a monster," she said.
Her voice turned cold. "And I do not want to talk about him."
Newton stopped walking. The wind moved through the trees around them. His eyes searched her face. "Did he hurt you?"
Sonia nodded slowly. Her gaze drifted toward the ground. "He called me a cripple.".The word hung heavily in the air. "One he can never love."
Her fingers tightened slightly against Newton's shoulder. "He told me he is only marrying me to ascend the throne."
Newton's jaw clenched hard. The muscles along his neck tightened visibly.
For a moment he said nothing.
Then his voice came out low. "I will break his legs the moment I see him."
Sonia nodded. A small, sharp smile touched her lips. "Good." Her eyes lifted toward him. "I desperately need his legs broken."