The Source (Creasan #1)

Chapter 15

Creasan was a cold place to live, just in general. Thea had often heard legends of a place outside of the realm where the sun shone nearly every day and the people barely wore clothes at all, else they'd drop from heat exhaustion. She'd heard these legends but they were just that—legends. So Thea, like every other Creasian, had become accustomed to the cold.

But she had never experienced cold like this.

The further they trekked from Gentis, the lower the temperature sank. As the days went by, more and more snow fell. By the next week, it covered nearly every available surface, their breaths fogged in front of them, and the frozen wind bit at their faces. Thea clutched the strap of her crossbow as she pushed herself to keep going. They should have packed heavier clothes. She had thought about it but they had ultimately ruled that the weight of furs would be too much. Aestus, she wished they had jackets about now.

Thea glanced over her shoulder at the prince, whom had somehow worked his way to the middle of the group. Him and Merek were chuckling amiably at something Thea hadn't heard and Isolde rolled her eyes in amusement. Thea ignored the sting that always came with being left out and turned forward again.

Merek asked, "So are people constructed differently in the palace, or are you two just trying to annoy us?"

Brom and Fendrel exchanged a look. "What do you mean?" Fendrel said.

Peronell pointed a finger at the prince. "You're hardly even shivering! And you're dressed the same as when we found you. Minus Brom's armor."

Fendrel laughed and Brom grinned. Fendrel explained, "Fur insulation on every piece of clothing."

Merek stopped dead in his tracks. "You're saying you've essentially been wearing a coat this whole time? While we've been freezing our arses off?"

Fendrel slapped Merek good-naturedly on the back and kept walking. "I'm afraid so, mate."

A laugh in his voice, Brom offered, "You can have my shirt if this weather is too much for you."

Brom towered over Merek, who was used to being the largest of the group. Merek straightened his shoulders and turned his chin up, not even coming close to reaching Brom's height and almost hiding the fact that his teeth were chattering. "I don't need that," he said. "I just meant for the lady here."

He gestured to Isolde who was already passing them. "I'm good, thanks."

Brom cocked a brow. "You're sure you don't want it?"

"Of course," he grunted, though his eyes said differently.

Brom shrugged and started walking again.

Carac came up beside Merek and said, "I can practically hear the clack of your bones shaking. You should've taken the shirt."

"Yeah, already regretting it, thanks, mate." Merek glowered, crossing his arms tightly over his chest and plunging ahead.

Though Carac couldn't see it, he knew him and Peronell were sharing a grin.

"All right, fine," Thea said with exasperation, coming to a halt. "But I'm only giving us an hour. Then we have to be back on the trail."

Isolde frowned. "An hour? For what?"

"For furs." Thea clenched her jaw to stop herself from shaking as badly as the rest of her friends. She blinked a snowflake out of her eye and said, "We move in pairs. Carac, Perry, take Brom with you. While you're impressive, Carac, two sets of eyes are for the best. Meet back here in an hour. If you find a fur, congratulations. If not, we'll just have to keep going. And if your target seems too dangerous, for the love of Aestus, don't even attempt it."