Frost and Flame

003: Greedy Rulers

Far away in the East Kingdom, within the towering obsidian castle, king Zeke and Queen Hizuki sat on their jeweled thrones. The hall was eerily quiet, save for the low hum of the Frostorb pulsing on its pedestal. Its glow was weaker tonight.

The king and queen’s lips curved into satisfied smirks. Ryker’s absence had given them room to absorb more power from the orb, draining what should have been replenished by his blood. It was they who had sent the shadow assassins to distract him, then twisted the story so it looked like he had tried to flee the kingdom.

“They think he’s a demigod only by title,” Hizuki whispered darkly, eyes gleaming. “But without the orb, even he will crack.”

Zeke chuckled, his voice low and venomous. “Let him stay gone. The longer he is away, the weaker he becomes. And when he returns… we will make sure he never rises again.

★★★★

Mainwhile, Zyren and Vaelora were chasing after Ryker’s since Zyren annoying question must have pissed him, but he was faster, his power vanishing like mist. The two exchanged frustrated looks, then instantly disappeared, reappearing where they knew he’d be at the Hot Spring , close to the groove at his mansion.

The spring steamed under the moonlight, glowing faintly from the enchanted minerals beneath. Ryker was already there, seated against the carved stones, his ice aura clashing with the heat, creating a foggy veil around him.

They approached slowly. Vaelora was the first to lower her head, her voice respectful but tentative. “Lord Ryker…”

He didn’t answer. He had already sensed their presence but chose silence.

Zyren frowned, restless. “Lord Ryker, we searched everywhere for you. You’ve been gone for three days. If the royal family learns that the Frostorb hasn’t been filled, they’ll...”

Vaelora shot him a sharp look, signaling him to shut up. But Zyren continued anyway, too concerned to hold back.

That was when Ryker finally spoke, his tone as cold as the night air. “They tried to kill me.”

Both Zyren and Vaelora froze, disbelief flashing in their eyes.

“Who,” Zyren demanded, “would dare risk their life on such madness?”

Ryker’s lips curled into a dark, knowing smile. “Who else but Hizuki and Zeke? Those two fools think they can strip me of what I am.”

Vaelora’s expression twisted with alarm. “But… what of your partner, my lord? If they find her before you do...”

Ryker cut her off with a dismissive glare. “Even if I find her, I’ll kill her myself. She would be of no use to me only to them. With her, they could split the orb’s energy into two phases.”

Zyren’s fists clenched. “But why? Why risk killing you, when they know you are the one sustaining the Frostorb?”

Ryker leaned back in the steam, smirking bitterly. “Because their greed has no end. They don’t just consume the Frostorb’s power. The humans I kill those who break the law they devour their organs and bind the souls to their own, harvesting strength that even the orb cannot give. They are not rulers. They are devils cloaked in crowns.”

Vaelora and Zyren exchanged horrified glances. Even for vampires, such corruption was monstrous.

Then Vaelora asked softly, “So why did you show up at Wesleyyans today, my lord?”

Ryker stood, water cascading down his skin as he reached for his towel, his gaze merciless. “To let them rejoice… before they see me again.”

With that, he turned and walked past them, dismissing them both without another word. The air grew colder in his wake, as though even the spring feared him.

~~At The Human world~~

Felicia groaned when her bedroom door creaked open. Seriously? She rolled over, already knowing who it was.

“Ugh, Granny, what is it again?” she hissed, sitting up. “If this is about those damn clothes, can you just let me breathe? It’s not even morning properly.”

Granny Joan stepped in, lips pursed. “Unfortunately, not about the clothes this time.”

Felicia arched a brow. Now that’s new.

“I came to tell you,” her grandmother continued, “that your cousin Max is coming around. Please, you need to treat him right.”

Felicia sighed, dragging her hand down her face. “Okay… and how’s that my business? He can come whenever he likes. Just tell him to stay away from me.”

Joan’s eyes narrowed. “How can you say that? He’s your cousin, Felicia. What has come over you?”

Felicia ignored her, muttering under her breath as she shuffled to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth, showered, and came back out to find Joan still perched on the couch like a sentinel.

“Granny, seriously?” Felicia gave her a look, motioning at the door so she could dress.

Joan only grinned. “Oh, silly girl. Is it your a** or your b**bs you’re trying to hide? Please. I saw them when you were little.” With that, she finally left.

Felicia chuckled despite herself. If there was one thing she loved about Granny Joan, it was her ridiculous humor. The nagging, though? Not so much.

She slipped into her track skirt, tightened the waistband, and caught her reflection. “Damn,” she muttered with a smirk. “Still hot.” Headphones on, she rushed out before her parents noticed her leaving. If Max was coming, they’d definitely be home.

Jogging helped clear her head, but today she wasn’t headed to the park. No, she had other business.

★★★★

The underground street was alive as always graffiti walls, smoke, engines revving somewhere in the distance. Felicia found Don Edwin leaning on his car, scrolling through his phone.

“Don,” she said, arms crossed. “I didn’t see my money last night.”

“I knew you’d come for it,” he replied lazily, tapping a button. A buzz in her phone confirmed the transfer.

“Good.” She was already turning when his voice stopped her.

“Damn, Queen, I was impressed last night. Beating Dylan? I didn’t think you had it in you.”

Felicia froze mid-step, then smirked over her shoulder. “I did my usual. Winning isn’t hard, you just need strategy. Boom. Done. Next time, call me when you have a real opponent, not some easy losers.”

That’s when Dylan walked in. His eyes locked on her, fists clenched. Felicia braced herself he was coming straight at her. But before he could reach her, his steps faltered.

He staggered slightly, gripping his chest as if something burned from the inside out. The air around him shimmered faintly, and Felicia felt it like a wave of heat rolling off him, forcing her to step back.

Her smirk faltered. “What the hell…” she whispered.

Dylan’s face twisted, but he forced the words out. “It’s not the end, Fel. Don’t think it is.”

She studied him, confused. “Why did you react like that?” she asked, genuinely curious. “One second you’re ready to hit me, the next you’re acting like someone set you on fire.”

He didn’t answer. Just glared, then stormed off. He doesn't even know either.

Felicia shook her head slowly, unsettled. “Weird.” Still, she wasn’t about to dwell on Dylan’s drama. She had bigger goals.

Pulling out her phone, she dialed. “Diane, meet me at the motorcycle shop,” she said.

“I’ll be there, boss,” came the quick reply.

Felicia hung up, a sly smile curving her lips. Whatever Dylan’s problem was, it wasn’t hers. All she wanted was speed, adrenaline, and maybe… just maybe… another fight.

But deep down, she couldn’t shake it that strange heat, the way her skin prickled like something otherworldly had brushed past her.

And for the first time, Felicia felt… watched.