An Inferno of Ice

An Inferno of Ice - Part 9

I follow the guard as he leads me through the labyrinthine halls of the Frost palace. We take a far more conspicuous route than I would have preferred, but I remain silent. Instead, I take the time to marvel at the sheer size of this place. I try to imagine what it would have been like for Princess Rosalie and Prince Damon to grow up here, to be raised in these cavernous rooms and chase each other through the long, winding corridors. Even though they likely had everything they desired, I still can't help but get the sense that it was a very cold childhood. From the testimonies of so many others who had been born into royalty that I've heard, it's not easy being the child of a ruler. I quickly shake my head, ridding myself of the momentary flash of sympathy I had experienced at that realization. Prince Damon had betrayed me, I remind myself. He had helped me make it here safely, and now he's going to condemn me for good. I grit my teeth to suppress my rage. He won't if I can help it. Descending the grand spiral staircase is even more of a wondrous experience than I had imagined it to be. Because of the ice being partially translucent, it feels almost as though I'm suspended in midair. When we reach the bottom, the guard politely gestures me toward a pair of massive double doors on the opposite side of the entrance hall from the library. As I approach, an attendant appears seemingly out of nowhere to throw them open before I have a chance to reach for the handles. "Your highness," the guard murmurs respectfully from behind me as I enter the room beyond. My jaw drops. The throne room of the Frost palace is nothing short of stunning. It is cylindrical in shape, its pointed roof no doubt being one of the turrets visible from outside. It is only lit by the natural light pouring in From high above, where the ceiling is open to the sky. The light bounces and refracts off of the ice walls to create a dazzling array of rainbow shards of color. The currently empty throne itself sits elevated on a dais in the center of the floor. In real life, it looks large enough to seat more than one person, and I take a moment to picture the king and queen there as they listened to the appeals of their people. At least, like they used to do before the king's corruption set in. It takes longer than it should for me to notice the single person in the room. Prince Damon is standing off to one side of the raised platform, his hands clasped behind his back and his eyes fixed on me. Just as it was in the portrait, his expression is completely inscrutable. There's no hint of malice, cruelty, or any sort of emotion at all. There's no way of gauging his intentions, and that sets me on edge even more than I already had been. Still holding my gaze, he nods gratefully to the guard who had escorted me here just before the doors click shut and we are left alone. I open my mouth, preparing to demand an explanation when he shakes his head and raises a finger to his lips. "Good evening," he says instead, in a ringing voice that echoes across the room. "To you as well." I reply In kind, fixing him with a glare as cold as the ice around us. "I have invited you here today to discuss a matter of the utmost importance." Damon continues in the same commanding voice. Certain he is going to condemn me at any moment, I remain silent and let him speak. "Your parents make a prosperous living in Wintervale, is it?" Careful not to let my bewilderment show in my expression, I decide to play along with this little charade. For now, at least. "Yes," I agree, but the prince continues before I can elaborate further. "Well, I do hope they are in good health. I have requested your presence to discuss an arrangement I am certain will be mutually beneficial." This time, I allow my confusion to be known. "Arrangement?" I ask. What is he doing? As if sensing my unease, Damon steps closer to me, his dark gaze intensifying until it's a challenge to even meet his eyes. "I know you wish to help people. If I were to introduce you to my father, I am sure he would be instrumental in achieving your goal. If you were to agree, we would have dinner tonight with the rest of my family, and then I would ask to escort you to tomorrow evening's gala. At the conclusion of this event, you would be granted whatever you wish. The influence of my father goes a very long way. With our support, you can go much further in achieving that dream than you'd ever be capable of without it." My distrust makes me falter. Prince Damon has been the only one throughout this entire mission to help me so completely without expecting anything in return. If it hadn't been for him, I likely would not be standing here in the palace at this moment, on the very cusp of success. But to be introduced to King Rudolph himself would be equivalent to turning myself in as an Infernal. I absolutely cannot allow myself to be caught, and staying undercover is crucial. But the look of absolute seriousness and severity on the prince's face tells me that there is much more beneath his offer, things that he cannot say. "And what exactly do you get out of this?" I inquire, still careful to keep my tone light and curious without the smallest hint of suspicion. "Why, the opportunity to spend time with such a lovely lady, of course!" He smirks in amusement as my mask slips for just a second and I gape at him. "Also the ability to help you succeed." he adds, all humor fading under the meaningful look he gives me. "You know I am capable of doing so, and it wouldn't be right if I did anything but offer." Could he truly still be trying to help me? Could it be that he already knows what has been corrupting his father's rule, and he is now attempting to assist me in destroying it? Or could he simply wish to turn me in as an outsider and a threat to the kingdom that will one day be his? The emotional roller coaster that is currently taking place inside of me makes my head spin. Should I trust him? Can I? On the one hand, I could be signing myself up for persecution and spending the remainder of my life imprisoned on this planet with no means of escape. On the other, though, Damon may not be trying to betray me at all. On the contrary, he could be attempting to get me closer to whatever it is I must destroy. Not for the first time, the fate of the kingdom and of my own life sits in my hands. The choice is mine. But which one is right? Still warring with my indecision, I look up into the eyes of Rudolph's son, the Man with the power to make or break this mission, and nod my head. "Very well." I agree. "Please, introduce me to his majesty."