Andrei’s POV
I never expected to come back to this place.
To the caves.
The tunnels where I had nearly lost my life. Where Natalia had birthed a child that came out too small and too soon. Where we suffered at the hands of a monster that was supposed to be dead.
When I watched Natalia push the Winter King’s head under the surface of those waters, I never expected to see him again. Or the waters, for that matter. That dark green pool of brine and steam had haunted my dreams, but I thought it would forever stay that way. As a dream.
But now I was back. Surrounded by the steam that seemed to erode my insides with each moment I was here.
And the glee with which I arranged my ritual!
I had propped Ellen’s body up against one of the stone pillars. Her head was permanently bent to one side
