Episode 2 + 2 - The Ice Princess
549 Words
I took to the skies after.
I felt the rushing air on my face. Windburn. Cold knives on my cheeks. Fire in my chest kept the rest warm. Below, the forest turned to ink. Above, the sky turned to glass. Wind tore at my cloak like it wanted me back. I cut through it anyway. Cool. Fast.
I had the same vision mid-flight. But this time the motionless woman turned. Eyes like dusk. Hair like butter. It's Ayla.
Why is that forest girl in my vision? The thought hit sharp. Then I shook it off. Wind took the question with it.
Briefly after, I approached the castle. Black stone and silver spires stabbing up into the dark. Torches burned blue along the wall like veins of ice. The Fortress looked carved from a mountain's jaw.
No warmth. Just power. Hundreds of thousands years old. From up here it was beautiful. Cold. Untouched. Like a blade left in moonlight.
I touched down in the garden to make everyone believe I never left. Fountains silent. No one saw. Or so it seems.
I heard a voice behind. Low. Amused.
"Where are you coming from?" The garden was magnificent and faintly enchanted. Water burst in crystal arcs like liquid jewels. Lit from below, it glowed blue and green. Birds with feathers soft as silk drifted through the mist.
Magic lived here. You could feel it in the atmosphere.
I turned. Father? King Asher, ruler of the land Miraculous wasn't alone but with his second-born, Ralph, who always pretended obedience to Father. I disliked him. King Asher and Queen Elowyn also had the youngest child, Flora, who was the closest to me.
"Needed air," I responded.
King Asher showed worry. "As an elemental lord and heir you should not make pointless flights. That behavior is careless."
I told him casually. "You needn't worry. I'm here now."
I left Asher with a questioning, scrutinizing look on my back. Ralph acted the part of a dutiful son, telling Father not to be troubled since I was well.
I went into the castle toward my room, and someone cleverly followed behind.
A pallid-haired woman, Princess Icelynn, better known as the Ice princess, an outlander possessing cryokinetic aptitude. She hailed from a realm denominated Sabaar.
Since childhood she adored me with vehement intensity and wanted me for herself alone. Excessively importunate for my tolerance. Too clingy for my patience.
I never liked her. And her brother, Prince Oliver, who was fast enough to be a problem.
I was not astonished by her presence, as this was the Union ceremony. Thus outlanders, predominantly dignitaries were sanctioned entry into the castle.
I was, however, taken aback that she entered the chamber unannounced.
I inquired,
"How did you get in?"
She iced up the door without difficulty. Frost crawled across the metal.
Locked. As though to trap for seductive thing and gave me a mischievous smile. Thin. Sharp. Like broken glass. I watched her every move. Fire under my skin stayed quiet. For now.
I said. "Speak or get out. What do you want?"
She stepped forward a bit, with a floor-long elegant gown.Her figure tall and agreeable. Cold rolled off her like mist.
She said. Smile thin. "Just a small talk. One I'm sure you wouldn't want anyone hearing."
- Writer
