An Inferno of Ice - The Storm Series, Book 1

Part 11

I feel myself sway on the spot, very much in danger of collapsing from shock. Before this can happen, however, Prince Damon rises graciously from his seat. He rounds the table and politely offers his elbow for me to take when he reaches my side. I forcibly wrench my gaze from the dark wonder of the king's crown to give the royal family a slightly delayed curtsy of greeting. Then I take the prince's arm and allow him to lead me to the chair positioned directly across from his own. He even pulls it out for me like a proper gentleman, waiting until I am comfortably seated before returning to his place beside his sister. "I will let you introduce yourself." Damon says once he had formally indicated the rest of his family by name. I give the most genuine smile I can muster and straighten my spine as the attention in the room falls upon me. "It is wonderful to finally meet you all. I've heard so much about you. My name is Ember." The only one whose acknowledgment seems entirely heartfelt is Queen Ileana. "Such a pleasure, Ember," she says in a voice that's clear and kind. "Damon has never introduced anyone to us before, so this is a real treat!" My breath catches at the clear implications behind her statement. The whole purpose of this risky little endeavor had presumably been to get me closer to the king and his corrupted crown, but it's plain to see that the rest of the Frost family doesn't see it that way at all. I dare not contradict them, lest they begin to grow suspicious. I let a blush rise into my cheeks, knowing it is an appropriate response to such a revelation and throw the prince a thinly veiled look of incredulity. "You never told me I was the first to meet your family like this," I accuse him, trying with all my might to keep a touch of fond amusement in my tone instead of full-blown annoyance. Could the fact that I don't know him at all possibly be any more obvious? Damon just smirks in return. "No one was ever close enough to me to warrant a meeting." Before I have to think of a reply to that, attendants bearing platters of food come spilling into the room through all three entrances. I'm stunned by the sheer amount of delicious-looking food laid out neatly on the table. Following the lead of Princess Rosalie, I fold my napkin primly on my lap and begin taking small portions of each dish. The air of tension slowly dissipates in the presence of the meal. Over foreign savory dishes with a hint of spice, the king and queen take turns asking me about different aspects of my life. I fabricate most of my answers, of course, but I can already tell which of Damon's parents is the iron fist And witch is the caring, tender hand. Ileana's questions are typically about what my dreams are and where I wish to end up one day while Rudolph's tend to focus more on my family's background and political or financial standpoints. I do my best to appear well learned in the subjects as we make our way through course after course of food. Throughout dinner, Damon and Rosalie remain respectfully silent while their mother and father converse with me. They only speak up when they are deliberately drawn into the discussion. I've never felt so simultaneously uncomfortable and at ease in the same instant. The fear of exposure is ever-present, but it's hard not to be reassured by Ileana's encouraging smiles and open curiosity. It's Rudolph's tension that keeps me on guard, though. He hasn't relaxed so much as a muscle since I had arrived. Can he perhaps sense the danger his power is in at this very moment? Not possible, I tell myself firmly. There's no way he can know such a thing. Still, the fingers of my free hand curl and uncurl anxiously in the fabric of the napkin in my lap. my outfit had not come with gloves of any kind, so I have to continuously move my fingers to prevent losing feeling in them. I am pleasantly full by the time more attendants bring in the first round of desserts. I shiver at the sight of many unfamiliar puddings and pastries. As I wait for the Frost family to finish making their selections, I don't allow myself to foolishly believe that they've learned all they wish to know about me. "So, Lady—" King Rudolph trails off, clearly expecting me to fill in the gap with my surname. I smile politely up at him, meeting his dark eyes that are so similar to those of his son but much, much colder. "Ember," I say, cheerfully ignoring The unspoken prompt. The king recovers quickly, smiling in a way that appears genuine for all intents and purposes, but artificial all the same. "Yes, Ember, what is it you said your parents do for a living exactly?" I hide the sudden telltale trembling in my hands by reaching out and taking a small, round cake like dessert from in front of me. I had purposely avoided this particular topic, well aware that I don't know enough about jobs on Icelandia to come off as believable. "You remember the Sundons, don't you, father?" My sigh of relief as Prince Damon intervenes thankfully goes unnoticed. "Very prosperous family, work in the welding industry. We couldn't have furniture that would last a day if it weren't for what they do." The king narrows his eyes at his son's interruption, but rolls with it smoothly. "Oh yes, of course. Forgive me. I simply wished to inquire whether or not I should invite them to tomorrow evening's gala. Will they be too busy to attend?" At the question, his tone grows icier if that's even possible. I nod my head rapidly, knowing deep down that something is wrong. "Yes, I'm afraid so. It's a very busy time for them right now. They send their regards, however." The rest of dinner is a tense waiting game. My eyes flicker between the four members of the royal family, all of whom seem to be at varying degrees of awareness of the change in atmosphere. Queen Ileana and Princess Rosalie are the first to rise from the table. They do so almost simultaneously, as though The move were choreographed to perfection. "It was so lovely to meet you, Lady Sundon!" the queen says to me. "I very much look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening, and of course hope that the bond between you and my son continues to flourish." I bow my head respectfully, feeling my cheeks heat in a blush that's wholly unintentional this time. "The pleasure was mine, your highnesses," I tell them both. The princess inclines her head, yet still remains silent as she follows her mother out of the room. Damon stands, and appears at my side a moment later. With his back to his father, the smirk he gives me is all mischief. "might I escort you, Ember?" I force back my confusion and exasperation in favor of yet another painfully ingratiated smile. My cheeks are beginning to ache by this point, but I luckily have to uphold this façade a moment or two longer. "One moment please, Miss Sundon." I jump at the sound of the king's voice, my trepidation growing exponentially as I look up at Damon for help. He gives me a tiny shake of his head. There's nothing he can do. "I'll wait for you," he tells me before he turns and exits The room as well. My eyes move to the only other person in the room, tracing over the deadly sharp spikes of his crown before dropping lower to meet his frigid gaze. "I know you are not from my kingdom." he says calmly, and I feel all the color Leave my face. "You look nothing like Emmaline and Julius Sundon, and my son knows that. I haven't yet figured out what you are here to do, young Lady Ember, but I will find out. Have a wonderful rest of your night, and I will be seeing you Tomorrow evening."