A Storm of Flames and Deceit

XVIII. Only Snow

Nephele

I didn't expect to find myself not wanting to leave. This wasn't like the spring court where I just left excited for the next adventure. I think I was actually gonna miss this place.
Maybe I was just going to miss the people. Tarquin gives me a small hug, promising to see me in two weeks at the wedding. Cressida gives me a long one, promising the same, telling me to let her know if Eris and I ever need anything.
I hug her again.
I go to Eris before I dig my heels into the sand and demand never to leave, linking my arm through his. "You ready?" He asks me, but I know better than to think he's being sensitive.
"Not at all," I say, huffing. "Let's go."
He chuckles quietly. "At least there you won't be sweating buckets," he points out, gesturing to our winter attire. That's fair enough. The dress I was wearing was conservative out of necessity, not out of preference. It was an ashy shade of purple, long sleeved and fitting to my body, a straight skirt. The only interest in the bodice were the twin slits that splice from my arm put to my shoulders and the hood that will be useful to keep my ears warm.
Eris was dressed just as warmly, in his trim pants and button down, covered in a cloak of red velvet, his loafers lined in fur.
When we reach the winnowing point, I think I can feel myself start to bake. "Okay," I pant to him, realizing my dress is lined in fleece. "Now, I'm ready to go."
He laughs quietly, snapping us away into Winter. I eat my words at the shiver that runs down my spine, Eris moving his arm around me in response. I'm nearly warmed by the thought, but then I see the High Lord marching throw the snow to greet us, flanked by several guards. They're all dressed in furs, fair skinned, light eyes and hair. If not for the thick cerulean cloak Kalias wears, he might've blended right into the snow, not unlike the members of his guard who are dressed in all white, some riding massive white bears.
I gush a little, and Eris turns to me, eyes narrowed. "What is it?" He asks quietly, and I smile up at him.
"I've never actually seen snow before," I whisper in return. "Anytime it was projected to snow in Hybern, father banished the clouds. Said snow was useless."
He blinks. "That's... ridiculous," he manages. I snort.
"Try telling him that," I reply.
"Eris," Kalias reaches us finally, extending a gloved hand. His voice is oddly cold, not by rudeness, rather by nature. He did look quite serious as Eris had told me. I wonder if he ever smiles. To be fair, Eris wasn't exactly a ray of sunshine either. He meets Kalias' hand in a crisp handshake. "Welcome to our home."
"Thank you for having us, Kalias," he says, dropping the High Lord's hand, wrapping his arm back around me. I burrow into that flaming warmth of his like a bonfire. It's not even for show. I'm freezing, and he's warm. "This," Eris looks to me, sweeping my hood off my ears. "Is my fiancé, Nephele."
Kalias nods. "It's nice to finally meet the girl who caused the storm across Prynthian," he says, not an insult, but certainly not praise. I wince. I had forgotten about the storm I had caused in comatose a week ago when I had finally been unbound from my chains.
"Sorry about that," I laugh awkwardly. "No more rain, I promise."
The man actually chuckles, warming his exterior the slightest bit. "It doesn't rain here," he shakes his head. "Only snow."
My lips fall open a bit, and I blush. "I'm sorry- I just... I've never made it snow before."
"Well, you have now," he replies.
"Now, Kalias," a feminine chides, walking up behind Kalias. I hadn't even seen her approach, dressed in a snow white cloak. "I hope you aren't boring our guests with things that don't matter," she turns her attention to me, smiling.
"I thought I asked you to stay inside," Kalias sets his jaw flat, but fondness flickers in his eyes. I believe Eris mentioned that they are mates.
"And I thought I asked you to stop telling me what to do," she raises an eyebrow in response, returning her attention to me. "Hi, hon. I'm Vivienne. Let's get you inside before you catch a cold."
I nod, taking her arm how she extends it for me, though I miss Eris' warmth the entire way back to the palace.
...
Vivienne is quite friendly, very talkative. I like her well enough, and she even lets me meet her and Kalias' daughter, telling me the tale of how they came to be mates. Her baby's name is Imelda, and she's a lot of fun to hold, tugging playfully on my braids, beaming a bright, toothless smile. I catch Eris looking at me from across the room where he sits talking with Kalias, and I hope he doesn't get any ideas.
Not that he would anyway, with his refusal to touch me outside of necessity.
I begin to notice a pattern forming, one I don't like. Eris and I arrive. Then, the woman of the house whisks me off to have casual banter while Eris goes with whichever High Lord, speaking of important political things.
I'm not foolish. I know that I don't know a thing about current events, but part of me just wants to go and talk politics. I don't think I just want to be just the lady of the house- not that there's anything wrong with that. I just think if I was given a chance, maybe a crash course on the last two centuries in Prynthian, I might be able to be useful politically. I think I want more than to be Eris' wife and baby maker. I want to help as much as I want vengeance on my father.
I suppose that's what I'm doing by talking to Vivienne. Helping. This was the plan after all. Make our union blessed and well liked. And for Kalias, it would appear that the phrase happy wife, happy life applies. If I can get Vivienne to like me, then I shouldn't have a problem helping Eris win Kalias' support.
"So," Vivienne smiles, watching me cradle her daughter happily, drawing a giggle from Imelda's tiny mouth. "Do you and Eris plan on having any children?"
I nearly drop the damn baby I'm so surprised. I scramble to think of an answer less depressing than, no, I've been in chains for the last two centuries and I think I might like to live a little before I have kids. "No," I answer, smiling softly. "Not yet anyway. We both are in agreement that right now, we kinda want each other to ourselves. I'm sure you know the feeling." I find I don't mind lying to her as much as I mind lying to Cress. Maybe it's because I really could see Cressida being my friend, and I don't want our friendship to be based off lies.
She laughs in agreement, and I nearly breathe out a sigh of relief. "Oh, trust me. I understand," she sneaks a sly glance at Kalias who gives her a half smile from across the room, the kind of awkward lipless gesture that only a mate could blush at. "But at some point, you start to want for the next step. You want to take every step in the world that you can."
I smile quietly, but my body is stiff. Eris and I have had exactly no steps. I'm not sure we ever will. At this point, I can't tell what keeps him from me, but something certainly does. Something that seems to be out of my control.
I glance back at Imelda. "She has your face," I tell Vivienne, eager to change the subject. "She's already so beautiful." She is. She has the brightest blue eyes and long white lashes.
"Thank you," she smiles, admiring her daughter. "I am glad that she got her father's eyes, though."
I smile, letting her chubby fist wrap around my finger. Her hands are cool to the touch. "And his powers too, I imagine," I tease, and Vivienne laughs.
"Yeah, she is a little icicle like the rest of us," Vivienne concedes. "I'm sure you've just gotten used to hot skin."
I choke on my breath, blushing vibrantly. "Excuse me?" Was she implying...
"I only meant that the people of autumn run a bit warm, Nephele," she raises a taunting brow. "What did you mean?" Now, she's implying something.
"Nothing," I say honestly, shaking my head. "Absolutely nothing."