Beguiling: A Frozen Heart

The entire Kingdom is in my hands?

"Then of course, you simply must assure you know how to pleasure him. A girl as pretty as you, oh I'm sure he'll want it all the time." Avanka, the kingdoms Almoner, said in her raspy but homey voice. Hands throwing in ingredient after ingredient into a large cauldron. If such a mix was done by any other person, misery would be soon to follow.

"She is much too young for that, do not jest."

"Oh you sweet naive boy, you sister is almost ripe for the picking and you are even riper." Her words sent a shiver down Leif's spine. True, he was older than Anaya, and yes, the kingdom whispered of his age being more than suitable for marriage. But the thought of it—of heats and bonds—petrified him. "I've never even had my first heat yet and I should have you know, neither has my sister!"

"Leif. You know she only says this to rile you."

"Do not let the boy know my secrets, perhaps he will actually head my words."

"Oh, never. Leif is much to prim to act like an omega, save for his language..." She glanced up at her brother, the corner of her mouth twitching with restrained laughter.

Leif scowled, his cheeks warming as the teasing sank in. "Y-You will both shut your mouths, continue your bath and speak no more!"

Anaya reclined in the steaming bath, the warm waters swirling around her in the spa-like chamber. Soft wisps of mist curled into the air, mingling with the floral scents that rose from the surface. Her fox ears twitched with contentment, eyes half-closed as she let the heat relax her muscles. Beside her, Avanka stood over a cauldron, her hands deftly adding handfuls of crushed petals, fragrant herbs, and delicate oils, all meant to make Anaya's skin glow and her scent irresistible.

Leif paced in the corner, his face flushed, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. "This is ridiculous. It's just a bath, Anaya. Why all this... all this fuss? You will be chosen regardless, the treaty says you must marry one.

Avanka snickered, stirring the cauldron with a long wooden ladle. "Oh, sweet boy, you'd do well to relax. Anaya needs to smell like the goddess she is if she's to make a proper impression. These oils and herbs will do wonders for her. And, one day, for you."

Leif's ears flattened against his head, the red flush on his cheeks deepening. "Me? No. Absolutely not. I don't need any of this!" he stammered, shifting awkwardly as his tail flicked with agitation. Although the man was one of the strongest in the kingdom, despite his status, he would get flustered over the smallest of things. Touch his tail? Bright red face. Blow air on his ears? You'll make him whimper. Make even the slightest compliment about his appearance and he'll be putty in your hands...if he doesn't cut them off first, or leave you with the most terrifying nightmares known to all man, or curse your bloodline for all of eternity!

Avanka chuckled, scooping a handful of lavender-scented oil and pouring it into the cauldron. The mixture frothed and hissed for a moment before a sweet, almost intoxicating aroma filled the room. "You'll be the most enchanting creature they've ever laid eyes on. I've heard rumors about those men...true to their kind I say."

"Their kind?"

"Yes, dragons. Such huge and boisterous creatures, although I've never met a hybrid...perhaps they are more calm."

"In all your years you've never met one? How are we meant to trust them if even the oldest person in your kingdom has yet to met even one?"

"They are more secretive then we. I doubt your parents would wed your sister to someone they knew nothing about. And dragons are loyal beings, once your with one, your with them forever. Even in death."

"That's a big commitment..." Anaya muttered softly sinking deeper into the water. The warmth of the bath did little to ease the sudden chill that crept up her spine at the thought of such a bond. Forever was a word that had once felt distant, like a fairytale. But now, with a dragon-hybrid husband on the horizon, it was much closer than she'd ever imagined.

"Oh stop fretting, they'll be here any day now. Worries like these will only give you wrinkles."

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"Maybe she would prefer lilac? Or maybe lavender? How about...Jani! Are you even listening?!"

Jani, lounging against a wall with arms crossed and eyes half-closed, snapped back to attention, blinking sluggishly. "What? Yeah, um... the lilac, I guess." Her tone was flat, worn from a long day of trailing behind Cadmus as he darted from shop to shop, obsessing over every tiny detail.

Cadmus shook his head, clearly unsatisfied. "You're not even thinking about this! Lilac might be too subtle, but lavender... well, it's more calming, isn't it? But then again—"

"Cadmus," Jani interrupted, rubbing her temples. "We've been at this all day. She's not going to fall in love with you because of some perfume. And wouldn't it be better to meet her first then buy gifts? What if she's allergic to lilac?"

"No woman is allergic to lilac, that's like a man being allergic to wood. Impossible."

"You've already bought her thirty dresses, filled ten boxes worth of jewelry, and sent off the dimensions for a carriage made of jenfires and potrilia! She could not want for more!

Cadmus shot Jani a glare. "If I'm even one dress short, that could be the difference between ultimate power and nothing!"

"And I'm serious about needing a break," Jani muttered under his breath, his fatigue only growing as Cadmus continued his scent-based deliberation.

"I'll take both," Cadmus finally decided with a grin, holding up the lilac and lavender bottles. He turned to Jani, his excitement bubbling over again. "Now, what about flowers? Do you think roses are too cliché?"

Jani sighed heavily, massaging her aching shoulders. "Roses are perfect, Cadmus. Let's just get them and go before I collapse right here."

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

"And...a simple marriage could open up the dimensions again?" Sephtis repeated, his voice low, more to himself than to Usmani. His wings shifted slightly under his cloak, the subtle reminder of his dragon blood—a reminder he often wished to forget. His brothers were hybrids, but Sephtis carried more of their ancient lineage than any of them. He had always felt... different. More powerful, yes, but also more isolated.

"Y-Yes, master! I heard them talking, her name is Anaya Isenfall. She is the youngest of two with an older brother named Angeal but goes by Leif. It's fated, simply fated! She will be the reason for your reawakening!"

"Why did mother say nothing to me?"

"...Usmani has no answer to that question, master."

"Hm."

Sephtis raised a hand to silence Usmani, his long, talon-like fingers gleaming in the light. "Enough," he said. "You've done well bringing this to me. But leave me now."

Usmani bowed quickly, his eyes lowered, and scurried from the chamber without another word. His master was all strong, omnipotent almost, he would find the course he need to take.

When Sephtis was alone, he stared down at his hands, his claws curling slightly. "Anaya Isenfall..." He whispered, the name rolling off his tongue like a spell. But it didn't feel quite right. Not by much, a few letters maybe, but he could tell.

"Oh Aneif, I will speak to you once again...my dreams will no longer be the only realm of which I see you but the place for my memories. Wait for me, Mi amor..."