Read Online Llewellyn’s Song by Samantha Winston - Free Book Online Page B

behemoth had found her.
She was about to say that to Llewellyn when a sparkle caught her eye. She
stiffened.
    “Yes, I saw it too,” he breathed in her ear. “Don’t move,
but be ready to run if I say.”
    She tensed, waiting. The sparkle grew brighter and drew
nearer. As it did, she caught her breath in wonder. She’d seen ice demons
before—who living in the far north hadn’t? But she hadn’t seen their sleighs,
or the white-furred creatures that pulled them. Larger than deer, with long,
silky white fur and silver antlers, the creatures were harnessed to a crystal
sleigh driven by an ice demon. It motioned to the sleigh.
    Llewellyn helped Tamara into the sleigh, then drew a fur
cover over her knees. Tamara was too bemused to speak, but Llewellyn said, “Thank
you for coming to get us. This is quite comfortable.”
    “Hang on tightly,” said the ice demon. Its voice sounded
like snow crunching beneath boots.
    Tamara barely had time to grasp the sides of the sleigh before
the demon shook the reins and the white deer fled into the night. They ran so
fast that Tamara’s eyes watered and the tears froze on her cheeks. She cuddled
closer to Llewellyn, and he put his arms around her. The night sky wheeled
above them as the sleigh whispered across the snow. Sometimes they crossed
lakes or rivers. The ice was black and the deers’ hooves hissed like ice skates.
The journey seemed endless, or perhaps it was just the deep silence. Everything
was frozen solid, even the air seemed to cut like sharp, cold quartz. Tamara’s
cheeks felt numb and her fingers and toes tingled with frost.
    “We’ve arrived.”
    Llewellyn’s voice roused her from slumber. She opened her
eyes, blinking, and then sat up and stared. They were in front of a magnificent
palace made of sparkling ice.
    Starlight ran up and down the towers, and lamps cast pools
of light that lit the palace from within. The demon waited until Llewellyn and
Tamara had climbed out, then he drove off, the sleigh whooshing in the snow.
    Tamara took Llewellyn’s hand, squeezing it tightly. Together
they walked over an ice bridge and under a clear arch to enter the brightly lit
palace. The door was ice, the floor was packed snow, and the sconces on the
walls were ice crystals that held stones that burned with a cold fire and
glowed blue, white or yellow. Everything shimmered and sparkled. It was
breathtakingly beautiful.
    Their footsteps echoed in the wide hallway. There were ice
demons everywhere. They stood in a line and there was only one way to go between
them. Tamara felt her hand crushing Llewellyn’s but he made no protest. Her
heart hammered in her chest. The ice demons didn’t move. They could have been
carved out of ice except for the strange blue fire that danced within them. And
then they arrived in the throne room.
    Silver-frosted tinsel hung in garlands from the ceiling and
there was a huge white tree in the center of the room. Ice crystals glittered
and shone upon it. On the throne sat the biggest demon of all, Frostbone. He
too looked as if he were carved from a block of ice. The blue fire that lit him
was paler than most—almost white. His eyes were like two blue flames. He stood
as they entered and said, “Welcome to Winterhaven. I have been waiting for you,
Llewellyn Fairnight.”
    Llewellyn stopped at the foot of Frostbone’s throne and
bowed. “I’m honored to be here. I’ve heard of your palace and its beauty, but
mere words cannot describe it. I feel most privileged.”
    “And this is your mate? Be welcome.”
    Tamara had to agree with Llewellyn. The beauty of the place
was simply astounding. She gave a bow too, and said, “Thank you for your
hospitality.” Her voice didn’t waver a bit.
    Frostbone said, “It is the least I can do. Llewellyn
Fairnight and his brother freed us from the Mouse King.”
    “Don’t forget Branagh,” said Llewellyn.
    “I have not.” Frostbone clapped his hands. It sounded like
bells ringing. “Bring