Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 136- Ella’s dilemma

Ella

I gaze around at the icy mountains, squinting up at the sky. The sun is high overhead, only halfway through its daily journey from East to West. That means it’s about noon… three hours from when I found the passage, according to the bedroom clock. The Prince’s deadline isn’t until dusk, which means there’s still time to get word to Sincalir, assuming I can figure out how to get back to the city.

Suddenly I’m kicking myself for leaving my go-bag behind. My coat wasn’t there because it had been stained and damaged, but I had other clothes inside, things I could layer onto my body to try and provide myself some warmth. I might move faster without the weight, but lightness won’t help me if I drop dead from hypothermia.

Just keep your blood moving. My wolf advises, as long as your heart is pumping it will keep you warm.

Not if I’m sweating. I counter, the liquid will just freeze and kill me faster.

Then stay active, but not so active that you’re sweating. You don’t want to stress the baby anyway. She advises,

Alright. I agree. How far do you think the valley is?

Well, it’s nowhere in sight, so we must be on the wrong slope of the mountain. My wolf reasons, making my heart sink.

So what? I have to go over it? I ask in horror, looking up at the snow covered peak. There’s no way I can make that sort of climb without gear, and it would certainly take more time than I have to spare. Besides, I’d probably fall into a crevasse or get buried in an avalanche. There is no way in hell I can survive that journey.

up on the idea of reaching Sinclair before he can come after us… we need him to come after us. All we can do is try to

but beggars can’t be choosers, and right now I’m certainly a beggar. So do I stay put and walk in circles, or try to descend? I wonder.

out. I realize, a light bulb bursting on in my head. It’s a risk, but the tunnel had been warmer at least, surely I’d have a better chance if… My thoughts trail off as I turn and see that the rock wall where I’d emerged is tightly shut. Like

slab, pushing at it the way I’d seen my guards to at the safe house. I try and try to open it again, looking around for anything that

I cry out angrily. “No, no, no! It isn’t fair. Open,

collapsing into the snow with a wordless scream of outrage and misery. Get up! My wolf orders sharply, lying in the snow is going to soak your clothes and

and I rub away the crystalline particles, trying to keep my wits about me even though I want nothing more than to rage at the Goddess and the

the mountain. The treeline starts about a mile below me, and though I know the sun will keep me warmer than the shaded forest, it’s also lower elevation and I might

If you wake me fully

Not unless we have no other choice. Those herbs are a

any more than you do. She remarks sorrowfully, but this is life

a chance that we can find another way. Maybe

there’s a cabin somewhere in that forest… in fact, I bet there is! If the Royal Family uses this tunnels in emergencies I bet there’s some sort

keep moving and we look

word of comfort to my growing pup. “It’s okay, angel. Daddy’s going to come

sinking down into feet of fresh powder with every step I take. I try to use my sharpened senses to detect a path or signs of opening in the dense trees, but I can’t seem to decipher anything but ice and snow. I’m already exhausted, and my skin stings with the bite of the glacial wind. I experience some relief when