The Heart of Ice

Chapter 1

C O P Y R I G H T

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. Readers are not allowed to reuse any part of this book without permission from the author. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.

Written by Ayla N. Reed (2023)

Davina

When death plunges you in it's darkness,

I'll be the light to guard your way.

The sky is covered in tiny flakes that land on the path before us, into the heart of our Kingdom. A few days ago, Father had received a letter, signed by The Ice King himself. It ordered us to visit the Kingdom's square, informing us that it was urgent and we best not be late. Now, on our way there, I've come to realize that we might not have been the only family to receive the letter, for hundreds of people stroll through the streets.

I find comfort in recognizing almost every face, too. We're one of the more well-known families—the Huxleys—with my father being a prominent blacksmith and my mother a nurse. Though, most of the fame came from my older brother, Austin, who walks alongside me now, a sword dangling at his side. He's been training for as long as I can remember to become one of The Ice King's soldiers. Here, in The Kingdom of Ice, it's one of the highest-ranking jobs you can have, and with that comes respect. Respect has always meant everything to Austin. It's too bad he's not very adept at giving it.

"I don't know why Father insists I come to events like this—it's not like I'm going to be chosen," he whispers, leaning over me. I never got how someone so into the idea of The Ice King could be so against any events hosted by him. "I doubt you'll be chosen either. I don't see you being proper enough."

My head snaps to him, eyes narrowing. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know. I've just never been able to envision you being someone's wife—let alone The Ice Kings." My brother was correct, not about envisioning me as a wife, but the fact that this event was the one everyone had talked about. The one everyone hoped came faster out of curiosity, but came slower out of fear, too. Today was the day that The Winter God would choose one lucky female—or male—to take The Ice King's hand in marriage.

I remember overhearing a group of girls from the schoolhouse talking about it. Two of them claimed that they would run far away if chosen, while the other two actually wanted to be chosen. They said they found the fact that we never see our King interesting, but somehow he still kept up his ghastly reputation. I honestly couldn't agree with them more. I am petrified at the idea of being taken away from my family, and forced into a marriage with a man I don't love. But I am also intrigued by what could be lurking behind those castle walls—behind that mask of the man that puts the fear of hell into his own citizen's hearts.

"I think you're wrong," I say simply. Austin glances at me, but my gaze remains set on the castle. You can see it from any part of the Kingdom, really, but you get the clearest view from the Kingdom's square. Not only the clearest but the most beautiful too. "I think I would make a great wife."

He rests his hands on the back of his head, a daring smile tugging at his lips. "Well, if you of all people would make a great wife then I'd be phenomenal."

"You'd be a phenomenal wife?" I question.

He nods. "Why yes, of course. I'd make my husband tea and we'd have afternoon brunch," he says, dramatically dragging out the last word. "Then we'd read books together and watch the stars."