A crown of flames

Chapter 7

I try swallow the lump forming in my throat and attempt to steady my nerves.

I have to walk another metre till i reach safe ground.

I glide my feet across the smooth ice cringing at the shatters i hear forming beneath my feet.

I look up and find Lord Lysander and Milo tight lipped and wary.

I swallow down my resentment for them as i try focus on making it out , they can spare me their sympathies if they aren't going to help.

I don't even spare a second glance at the prince
and the twins as i take the second step forward.

My hands are trembling and my stomach is churning so violently i might throw up.

Just a couple more steps,i tell my self.

I force my tears at bay,not wanting to give Lady Judith any more entertainment.

i lose my balance at the next step as i slip and my feet glide forwards and backwards for a few seconds until i finally find my balance again.

I look up to find the Prince watching me intently,his face void of emotions.

I take one more step but the ice finally gives in.

I scream as the lake beneath me shatters and i plunge into the freezing depths.

Panic overtakes me as water fills my mouth making me choke , i pinch my nose with fingers and flap my other arm to push my body upwards.

My arms feel paralysed as the freezing waters attack me with no mercy, i let go of my nose and swim up to the top.

I resurface with a huge breath and feel the tears streaming down my cheeks , I'm too shaken to care about who stood before me , i can't do anything but bring my self up and walk towards the ground.

I am shivering and my teeth are clicking violently against each other.

My dress is now stuck to me like a second layer of skin and my arms sting from the water on my cuts.

It won't be long before the freezing temperatures solidify my dress.

I notice Lord Jadiel's hungry eyes searching my chests with a satisfied gleam as he notices the blood dripping down my arms.

What.a.sadist.

The group are silent as i take off my shoes and pour the freezing water out of them, i notice the water has ruined them so i put them under my arm as i start to make my way back to the palace barefoot.

Then i hear Lady Judith reluctantly say "How so very rude of not to say thank you for the gift i just gave you , my feelings are hurt" she lets out a shaky laugh looking at her companions for validation.

No one acknowledges her but her brother gives her a smile and a playful nudge in the arm.

I turn back around , my sudden anger bringing me strength as i walk towards her.

"Thank you" i say in a whisper as i look down at the floor, not having to fake my fear.

My stance reminds me of her response to the prince's threat.

Behind her i can see Milo shift uncomfortably and Lysander deathly still.

"You are welcome" she says in a surprised tone.

"I appreciated your gift so much"I said taking another slow step forward "that i want to return it" and without giving her time to process what i said i push her into the dent i made in the frozen lake.

It was no where near what she did to me , i remind my self , she didn't feel her skin rip at the impact with the ice , she wasn't screaming helplessly for help as she shivered with fear over the shattering ice,she didn't feel the lake come apart beneath her as she plunged to it's depth .

"BITCH" she screams in between pants as she resurfaced.

I make a show of wrapping my hair around my hand and squeezing the water out of it before i say "Enjoy your swim Judith,you will find the
green weeds at the bottom of the lake to be particularly breathtaking " and i walk away before Jadiel has the chance to tackle me.

It was only when i reached my bedroom door and firmly locked it , that i allowed my self to sink to the bottom of the door and bring my head to my knees and cry.