Lissie had watched Niko eat the cabbages. He pinched pieces of them off between his fingers. She had watched him balance them, one by one, in his palm. The pieces froze between his fingertips and crackled as he chewed.
“Do you eat anything besides raw vegetables?” Lissie asked.
“It is good enough for the rabbits. And it makes no screams.” The words hung soft, and Lissie remembered the crimson snow.
“Lissie! Niko!” Riley’s voice. “By the Field, Sugarsnap!” Lissie heard Riley’s boots on the straw and they stopped. Sugarsnap snorted. “I brought you an apple.”
Lissie got up. “Over here, I found a stall.” The straw he had touched crunched under her feet.
“Girl, my good girl. Locked in this stall for three days. It’ll be one more and then you can run again. You’ll long for this stall!” Riley murmured to Sugarsnap before making her way over.
Nikolai stood like a rising tide.
All that built out of cabbages. Lissie wondered, staring at his blue bulk.
It’s built out of Ice, girl. Ice we could use. Nelli’s voice replied, unbidden.
“I made them set aside a half chicken for you.” Riley told Lissie, “And some green things. I know how you like green stuff.”
Lissie felt queasy. “It seems like Niko’s set up enough. I still think he should have a bed.”
“It’s just for one night. We are all leaving in the morning. I’m sure that inns further south wouldn’t mind a Giant. The soldiers here are just too…” She looked to Niko. “Close to the action.”
Niko’s eyes widened. “You would have me travel with you?”
Lissie smiled and hugged herself, shuffling her feet.
Nelli’s voice in her mind, shouting, Yes, bring him with us!
Lissie thought to Nelli, This is not about you!
Riley frowned and said, “I wouldn’t have you anywhere else! I like you. I like having you around.” She put up a hand and waved it. “If we are interrupting your big plans, say so now.”
“I will be much weaker in the south.” Niko’s voice was steady. “I will not be as useful to you.”
Riley raised an eyebrow. “Good. Maybe I can protect you for once.”
“No one has ever protected me.” Niko whispered, “Thank you.”
Lissie spoke quickly. “You can keep up with the horses fine!” She started pacing around the stall, turning from Riley to Niko. “In the south you might have better control. I mean, I don’t know how it works with you.”
“When I was in the mines, I could touch animals.” His voice strained. “Sometimes.”
Riley went back to Sugarsnap and asked Niko, “Where were the mines?”
“South of here. There was not always snow.” Niko waved at Lissie. “You are the only one who has not eaten. Go with Riley. Feed yourself.”
Riley caught Lissie’s hand. “You know how soldiers are—They’ll eat your food!”
Lissie’s cheeks were hot and she felt dizzy. “Yeah. Food. Of course.”
She let Riley lead her back into the tower. Up winding stairs to the commissary. A few soldiers lingered, Alexander had a group playing Writ.
Riley pointed to a plate of food sitting on a table. Lissie’s stomach twisted. She could smell the grease on the chicken. The vegetables were boiled and pale. She grabbed the fork.
She brought the chicken to her lips and in her mind, she heard squawking. She dropped the fork.
“Lissie, you have to eat.” Riley jumped to her feet. “I’ll grab you a new fork.”
That’s new, Lissie thought.
It’s better when it’s human, Nelli replied.
Riley proffered the fork in front of her face. Lissie took it with a trembling hand. She took a deep breath and ate, squawking ringing in her ears. By the last bite, she could see through the chicken’s eyes, and felt hard hands around her own feathered throat. She swallowed, and felt her neck snap.
Lissie’s heartbeat hammered in her temples. Her breath was ragged and fast. She looked up at Riley, who was staring at her. “Can I go lay down now?”