Shadows in the Snow (A Shadowhunters Fanfic)

Chapter 16

When Kieran and Krystal walked out of the portal, Krystal immediately fell to her knees and screamed into the ground. The emptiness that had immediately swallowed Krystal when the portal closed was overwhelming. Krystal had been separated from Zach. Zach, Krystal's parabatai, who was linked to Krystal and Krystal was linked to Zach. But now, the link was stretched so thin that Krystal couldn't sense Zach, only emptiness. "I know it hurts." Kieran squatted next to Krystal, speaking in a soothing voice Krystal didn't think her uncle was capable of, "But what I said in your headmaster's office I meant. You must stay here, for your safety, and for others, but your parabatai can visit whenever he so chooses as long as he has an escort. But, in the meantime, you will learn to distract yourself from this hollowness." Tears slid down Krystal's face and she jumped when Kieran offered his hand out to her, "You've had a long day. Allow me to show you to your living quarters so you can rest for the night." Something about the way he spoke comforted Krystal and she took his hand and Kieran slowly helped his niece to her feet.

"Tomorrow we'll start training, I'll teach you the basics of your magic and because you've never used it, you'll probably tire out easily, so once you do, we'll go to the library and I'll teach you about your fae heritage." Kieran led Krystal down a hallway that was arched with thorn-covered vines and the floor was made out of something Krystal couldn't make out. The two stopped in front of a massive door that looked like it was made of wood. Kieran waved his hand and the door slowly opened into a beautiful room, nothing like the horrible hallway they had just ventured through. A massive bed sat on the back wall, a sheer net that hung from the ceiling spread over the pillows, to the left was a similar door that was half-open, revealing an elegant looking bathroom, to the right of the bed was a large white and gold make-up table, similar to the one I had at home, to the right of that was another set of doors that was opened revealing a closet, fully stocked, "Clothes?' Krystal looked at Kieran who sighed and nodded, "You'll need to get used to wearing clothes of the fae while you're here. Your handmaidens handpicked all your outfits, including your training clothes." Krystal's confusion only grew, "Handmaidens? I don't think I deserve all this I-" the door to the bathroom opened and two female seelies scurried out, hurrying over to Krystal and Kieran, bowing, "These are your handmaidens: Lily and Tily. They're twin sisters, ask them for anything, they're here to suit your every need. You're of royal descent, Krystal, it's only natural you have handmaidens." Without another word, Kieran turned on his heel and left, the large bedroom door closing behind him. Krystal turned back towards the twins, "Alright, how will I tell who is who?" the twins smiled.

The next morning, Lily and Tily dressed Krystal in one of the training outfits they had chosen: a pair of black leather pants, a red-brown leather shirt cut off at Krystal's shoulders, and brown leather boots. Then Lily put Krystal's hair up in a tight ponytail, Krystal scowled at the sight, it was so rare to see that snow-white hair off Krystal's face it made her cringe.

Trudging after the twins to breakfast, Krystal sighed at the smell of food and would have immediately plopped down in a chair, if not for the boy who looked like an older, male version of Krystal sitting at the table smirking at her. Kieran, having just noticed Krystal walk in, noticed the stare-off, and started talking before some sort of violence broke out, one Krystal would start. "Krystal, listen to my words carefully." Kieran's voice was low, steady, and even as he spoke but Krystal didn't move her eyes from the boy, "This is Shade. Shade Icethorn, he's your older brother." Krystal looked at Kieran, "What did you say? Brother? No, no-no. Max and Rafe are my brothers. He is not my brother. I don't even know who he is." The boy laughed and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms behind him, "Told you she'd react like that, Uncle." Kieran shot Shade a look before continuing, "I understand that you consider those two your brothers, you grew up with them, played with them, you must love them more than anything. But Shade is your true brother, related to you by blood. Shade grew up here in the Unseelie Court. Like it or not, you two are blood." Krystal stared at the boy, who now had his eyes closed as he lounged in the chair. "Can we start training now, Uncle?"