Gerda portalled them into her cottage.

  As usual, they divested of their winter wear first. Travelling north meant heavier layers and ice-caked boots. She’d put out a thick mat at the door that caught the worst of it.

  His bridge troll shed layers fast, and immediately after wandered into the kitchen.

  Julian followed her.

  The window over the sink looked out into the grey rock and snow of the Northern Ice Fields and there was a bit of cold air from the frost on the pane of glass.

  He waited until she’d lit the stovetop and put the kettle on to boil before wrapping his arms around her from behind and burying his face in her neck.

  “That was frustrating.” Julian’s muffled voice carried a hint of annoyance. “And you face her once a week?

  Gerda said. “If that. Since I moved my bridge door where she can’t find it. I can deal with her like any other assassin as long as she's not literally ripping my bridge space to pieces from the inside.”

  “I know there are a hundred reasons why you’re facing Alice alone-- least of all because the Duke of North Sumbria shouldn’t be crossing the border unannounced to hunt down international criminals. I know, and I respect that. But I have to ask…”

  He stopped, searching for less accusatory words. None came. She turned to face him and he stared into defensive brown eyes.

  “Are you facing her own your own because you’re worried about what the celestial will say to me?”

  Gerda tensed. “It’s not what you think.”

  Alice had outright told them that Julian would’ve already found the dungeon by now if Gerda weren’t here. From one future seer to another, there were probably many things Alice could tell him that Gerda didn’t want him to know.

  “You don’t know what I think.” Julian replied.

  She wasn’t expecting the kiss and gasped. He slipped his tongue into her mouth between her tusks.

  “I know you aren’t telling me everything.” He pushed her against the clean counter. “And I don’t care.”

  He kissed her again, this time soft and sweet.

  Her hands were in his shirt when the kettle whistled on the stove behind them.

  Julian cursed, and they broke apart. “I’ll set the table.”

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  “Are you sure?” Gerda asked, and there was a light tease in her voice. She straightened her dress from where his roaming hands had left things askew, and then addressed the loud kettle.

  “We are sitting with a table between us so I can think straight.” He told her.

  Julian moved to the tea cabinet and grabbed her favourite nettle brew, cups, honey and a teapot. He grabbed two tiny spoons decorated with mushrooms and plopped one in each cup before putting everything onto the table.

  “Alice was right.” Gerda brought over the hot water and filled the teapot, and then stored the kettle. “There is a timeline where Henrietta would’ve been sent here as a potential political match. You would’ve grown close and fallen in love… and she would’ve helped you find the dungeon already.”

  “But why bring it up when Her Viciousness is already in love and married to King Keith?” Julian said.

  He couldn’t imagine falling for the sweet Dark Lady. Her naivety and joy would’ve made it hard to connect with her, and nineteen was too young. There was a decade between them.

  Honestly, he couldn’t think of falling for anyone other than Gerda.

  His troll was strong. Inside and out. She had a wicked sense of humor, and enjoyed her peace and quiet. Her sense of justice was just as strong as the Heroine of Justice, but Gerda used her cunning to direct armies and guide nations. She was brilliant.

  Gerda sighed. “Because I interfered, you never went exploring with Henrietta, and she never found a secret passageway into the heart of the underground caverns and the abandoned ancient home of the dragons. The same caves that opened up into the far side of the mountain range… and to the dungeon you’ve been searching for.”

  “So you already know where the hidden dungeon is?” He asked.

  She looked away.

  “But we are headed there now?”

  “Yes.” She whispered. “But even without Henrietta… you would’ve found the hidden dungeon. I’ve just been slowing you down.”

  She took a ragged breath.

  “Actually… I'm actively delaying, with outings and days off and--”

  “Why?”

  Her deep brown eyes found his. They were full of pain and uncertainty… and something else.

  “I like you, Julian. A lot.”

  “That’s good.” He said. “Because the feeling is mutual.”

  “And I don’t want this to end.” She waved a hand between them.

  He didn’t understand. “This doesn’t need to end when I reach the dungeon. Unless I’m going to die?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “No, you should be fine. You’re even stronger in this timeline, with your armor set.”

  A small worry fell from his shoulders; it was reassuring to have the most powerful [Oracle] on the continent tell him that he was going to find the dungeon he’d been searching for and defeat it without suffering permanent death in the process.

  It was less reassuring that she was hinting at the end of their relationship.

  “So what’s the problem?” He demanded.

  Gerda didn’t answer right away. She was warring with herself. Her pale freckles scrunched up with indecision and worry.

  At last she said, “I can see your future, Julian… and there is a timeline where I’m not in it.”

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