Flame of Frost (The Caelestian Chronicles: Book #1)

Chapter 14 - Austin and Theora Ski on Grass

Clara serves a platter for Grace. I decide to be the one to wake her up because most of the other people here might upset her. Devin says that I need to command her formally to wake up. I rehearse the thing twice.

I walk to Grace, who is now normal or as Lupus said 'back to human form'.

"I, Alexandra, Princess of the Caelestis," I say to her," command Grace Milton, ascendant of Lunascier, to wake up from her suspension."
It feels weird to say this while holding a meal and dessert in both of my hands.

Grace blinks her eyes open and then looks at herself. She is all back to the purple pajamas, but her skin still has that slight silver radiance, though I doubt anyone will notice it.

"I brought you food," I say.

She nods. "I'm really hungry."

Grace chews on the food while I tell her what happened when she was asleep. She explains how it was to be in suspended motion or whatever that is.

"I was aware of things happening around me," Grace says, gesturing wildly with her hands. "Like sleeping but not very deep. I knew when Lupus put me here or when you commanded me to wake up. It was funny."

"What was?"

"You talking like 'I, Alexandra, Princess of the Caelestis...'" she laughs, imitating me.

I snarl.

"I'm terrified."

"Better be."

Her smile fades. "I feel different."

"Is it a good different or bad different?"

"I don't know. I feel I can run miles at vampire speed, throw Lupus across the country. I feel... powerful and strong."

"He deserves that one. They were saying you're the ascendant of Lunascier. Goddess of the Moon. I hope you don't have to stay on the moon."

"Well, there's their capital Menes. The City of Fashion, and my dream living destination." Her fingers massage her temples. "The word dream sounds absurd now. Nothing we dreamed of doing matters now, does it?"

"Don't think like that." I pull her hand away from her head. "We just need to get Mom and Dad back and then everything will be back to normal."

She gives a small chortle. "Normal has a totally different definition now. What will happen if we don't succeed? We might be different blooded but we are still ordinary, we are no trained warriors."

I answer honestly, "I don't want to think about that, but Alacritas does have a huge army."

Her spoon stops moving. "Are you... going to be their pawn?"

"I don't have any other option, I've seen what the vampires can do."

"So, you'll do what they say?"

"I might have to." I quickly decide to change the topic. "I'm going to sleep, my arms are throbbing after that long sword practice. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay." She nods.

"Lex." I stop walking and turn back when she calls me from behind. "Merry Christmas."

I smile. "You too."

I go to my bedroom and find Austin cleaning the pink glitter with duct tape.
"Why are you doing that? Brit will — oh Brit!" I rush back downstairs.
I tell everyone that my automaton is also missing and ask what could have they gained from a machine?

"Maybe they wanted to get information about what your parents do and stuff," Theora says.

"But my digi screen said 'Location not found' when I search her ID..." I say.