Ice Princess

31

Back in Kamar Taj, Melinoe was resting in her room, the migraine was getting worse and worse. She had tried traditional and non-traditional ways of getting rid of it. Wong was becoming more and more concerned. While he was happy she had warned Bruce and Bucky and knew she wanted to help more, there was something else going on with this migraine.

"Where is the worse part of the migraine at?" Wong asked her.

"Right here." She pointed to her forehead writhing in pain.

"I don't think it's a migraine. I think it is a compulsion spell and you've been fighting it and because of that it appears like a migraine." Wong told her.

"Great, compulsion spell. Does it say how to stop it?"

"Unfortunately, the only person who can remove it is the person who put it on you. Who was the last person to kiss your forehead?"

"Doom."

"I was afraid of that. You're going to need to go to him to have it removed. If he kisses your forehead again, it will remove the spell."

"Ok," she shoved herself up. Conjured up a suitcase and changed her clothes to something she would normally wear.

"Where are you going?"

"Latvaria. That's where Bruce and Bucky were headed to start the project." She stumbled a bit. "That's where Doom will be as well." With a puff of black smoke surrounding her, she was gone.

Immediately arriving at the airport, the migraine had decreased somewhat. She hailed a cab and gave the address she had for Doom. Resting her head on the cold glass as they drove helped. It was hours later when they arrived.

______

"Master, there is a woman here to see you." The butler told Doom as they just set down to eat dinner.

"Set and extra place for her, bring her here and put her things in a guest room." Doom told him.

"Were you expecting someone?" Bruce asked as they sat down to dinner.

"Actually, yes and we will all have a lovely dinner together." A few minutes later Melinoe appeared. Her fists clenched to keep them from shaking from the pain. "Ah, my darling how are you?"

"Well, the flight has left me with a terrible headache." She told him as he held a chair out for her to sit in. Gladly she collapsed into it. He bent down and kissed her forehead and the migraine was gone. As if on cue, her stomach growled. She hadn't eaten for the days she was in the underworld and wasn't able to keep anything down due to the migraine.

"I am so sorry to hear that. Tell me why weren't you able to come with the gentlemen?" If there was one thing Fury had taught her to do, it was to lie and to lie well.

"A funeral. One of the nuns at the orphanage, St. Ursula's in Baltimore, died suddenly. I went to pay my respects. I apologize for any delays or confusion with the project. I trust things are going well?" She sipped her soup that she was served as if nothing could be more normal.

"I am so sorry to hear that. You would think one of your companions would have been forthwith with that information."

"It was all so sudden, I went while she was still ill, but her death occurred on the day I arrived. I never got to impart on her how helpful she was in my upbringing." She told Doom. "It was neither of their faults, they didn't know. I am happy that they were able to provide the necessary assistance you required meanwhile." Dinner continued, the four discussion the project and the small hiccups that had occurred along the way. Melinoe would attend to them tomorrow.

"Oh, tomorrow there will be a ball to celebrate our wonderful work that we have done together. I'm sure after a good night's sleep, you will feel right as rain." Doom reached out and kissed her hand. Melinoe wondered if it was another compulsion spell. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Bucky's jaw tick. He had been unusually quiet during dinner as Melinoe and Bruce carried most of the conversation with Doom. "My lady, you look very tired from your flight. I will escort you to your room unless you would like to join us for a brandy."

"No, thank you. A nice, hot, relaxing bath sounds just what the doctor ordered." She took his arm as he helped her up and guided her to her room.

"Your room is right here. I am in the suite next to yours." He guided her in showing her the room. "If you need anything, ring this bell and the chambermaid will come attend to you."

"You mentioned a ball, but I did not pack anything to wear. Perhaps there might be some time to go to town tomorrow?"

"Unfortunately, not. However," he opened a wardrobe. "These were my mother's. She was about your size, I'm sure we can find something suitable." She stroked the gowns they really were lovely. However, she wondered if he could see the ghost sitting on the bed, she bore a remarkable resemblance to Doom. It had to be his mother or sister. She looked so sad. Melinoe started running a bath to maintain the illusion that was what she wanted to do. "Thank you, you have been a most kind and gracious host." He kissed her hand and was off. "So who are you and what can I do for you?" She said to the ghost who was so surprised Melinoe could see her and was interacting with her.

__________

Melinoe put her hood of invisibility on and spent hours going from room to room of the castle. That was the best name for what she was in, a castle. There were tapestries and it was made of stone. Rooms looked like they have never been lived in, or at least not for a very long time, were fully furnished but empty. She went from floor to floor, then eventually when in the main part of the castle, the actual living area, she could see she had been up in one of the turrets, she still had another one to search. While trying to find the entrance to the other turret, she found a huge lab. It was more than comparable to what she worked in, if not, better. Still she couldn't stay there long. Eventually, she found the salon where they were drinking their brandy and the fire had just gone out. The smell of the brandy still fresh in the air. Then she found her way back to the dining room being prepared already for tomorrow's breakfast. She was careful to maneuver around the servants who all had a very vacant look in their eyes. Melinoe found a room, it looked lived in, at least there was a duffle bag and a man's shaving kit next to it. She must have been in the right place.

"Who's there!" A male voice said causing her to jump.