Fire and Ice [NEEDS EDITING]

Chapter 22

A guard came down the steps, humming softly, but abruptly stopped when he saw the IceWing watching him, her eyes cold, calculating. He shuddered involuntarily when her tongue slithered out and tasted the air, no doubt smelling his fear and nervousness, not to mention anything else he was feeling.

He carefully opened a slat in the door and dropped the pig he was carrying through before turning tail and racing back upstairs. He failed to notice the IceWing scrunching her nose up in distaste at the sight of the pig. And when the IceWing reached out to touch the bars of her cell and ice crystals started creeping up them? That also escaped his notice.

••••••••

Queen Scarlet's PoV
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I studied my talons, ignoring the clamor from outside. It wasn't any of my concern. Was it? I shook my head, clearing my brain of any traitorous thoughts before scraping my talons on the stone to sharpen them, even though they were already sharp. Hey, you never know when some dragon will try to murder a queen who's held onto her crown for over a decade.

I hear a loud hiss, and judging from the coldness behind it, it's the IceWing. My tail tip twitches in slight annoyance, but I try not to set the throne room on fire. I hear a sharp cracking noise, and turn my head to see that the IceWing has just gouged out a section of the floor with her tail spikes. I raise an eyebrow at the guards, silently telling them that I expect them to clean it up later and keep a closer eye on the prisoner.

I turn to face Frost and ask, "How are you finding my dungeons and palace?" She narrows her eyes at me, and I'm sure dozens of curses are whirling through her mind. But she wisely keeps silent. Or unwisely, considering that it's rude to both not reply to a Queen and insult her.

I feel a puff of smoke come out from my nostrils as I restrain the urge to snap some dragons' neck. I shrug, eyes straying to the platter of food next me and as I spear a slab of meat, mutter, "No comment, eh? That's a pity, because you'll be fighting in the arena today." I raise my voice on the last part, and all I receive is a murderous glare and some talon flexing from Frost.

I stare her straight in the eyes and as I lean forwards, say, "Do try to be thrilling. I can't stand boring performances." She rolls her eyes, most likely thinking about ways to kill me. I shoot her a triumphant smile, and tell the guards, "Get her in the arena." They bow and rush out of the throne room with the IceWing...or try to. It's more like the IceWing leaves with her guards trailing behind her. Gnashing my teeth, I wonder, 'What's the use of guards if they won't do their jobs?'

I holler, "Vermillion!" , looking for my useless lump of a son. He comes out of a doorway on my right, bowing low. "Yes, Queen Scarlet?" Even though he may be my son, he is still a subject of my rule. Therefore, I am still his Queen and he will address me as such. I growl at him, "I expect you heard that conversation?" He nods. Getting off my throne, I order him, "That was the special case. Pick a match for her that will hopefully make a thrilling spectacle. If it isn't thrilling, I will be severely disappointed, and you know what that means." He nods a second time, and I dismiss him.

I decide to put on my black chain mail today, along with a thick gold necklace. As I admire my reflection in the mirror, I find myself wondering about what the IceWing can do. Shaking my head, I tell myself, 'Don't worry. Peril is more than a match for an IceWing.' At least, I hope so.

Sweeping out onto the balcony, I am greeted politely by my subjects. I spy Frost standing stock-still on the arena sand, and guards are wrestling with a SeaWing on the spires high above. 'Seriously Vermillion? A SeaWing?' As the guards drop the SeaWing into the arena, Vermillion shouts, "With two wins, I give you Octopus the SeaWing. His opponent will be Frost the IceWing. Claws up, teeth ready! Fight!" With that, he springs out of the arena and flies to his commentating seat. Me? I sit back and enjoy the bloody show going on below.