Cold-Hearted

He deserved it.

The ice creatures were kneeling on the ground, heads bowed, as a figure draped in a black velvet cape neared the icy cathedral entrance. I couldn't see the face hidden from the shadow, but I did notice the length of the white hair as it poured from the black hood. It muttered an agitated voice to the creatures in a language that I couldn't understand. The figure watched them walk back into the forest in which they came, before turning its attention to me. I grabbed for my backpack, planning to run.

"No sense in running. I already know you are here." The voice was soft, and alluring. It made me shiver.

I knew running would only make matters worse. I threw my pack over my shoulder and stood from the tree to face the woman in front of me, as she lowered her hood. I thought the white hair was stunning, but it was nothing compared to her eyes. The color so icy blue, that the black circles lining them made them appear clear, both mesmerizing and cold. "Wise decision." She says, staring into my eyes. Unfortunately, the stories were true about her beauty as well. 

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Queen Cianna, I'm Emmett, from Eeranoke, and I am only looking for my –"

"Queen?" she interrupts, her face questioning. "Is that what I am known as?"

I offer only a nod. "I am no Queen, I can assure you. The creatures of this land may belong to me, but there is no life here to rule over." Her voice faulted at those last words. Yeah, you made sure of that.. I mumble to myself. A brief second past before she was standing within inches of my face, leaving a cool breeze on my skin, her blue eyes daring me to say more. Clearly, I was unaware of her heighten hearing. I chose not to cower down from her stare, yet I could feel myself falling into the icy pools staring back at me before her velvet voice broke the trance.

"Why are you here?" 

"My sister, Briar. You have her and I want her back." I say, pulling at the strap on my backpack. Cianna's eyes soften as she stares into the distance before slowing making their way back to mine.

"If your sister is indeed here, then it is of her own doing."

"Not true! The guards saw her being pulled into Wynter." I could feel the heat rising in my face.

"I have no need in taking a child from Eeranoke." She says, pulling her hood over her face. "As I said, Emmett, if the girl is here, its because she wants to be." She turns back to the open forest. As I stare at her walking away, I can feel the words rising from my throat. I have never had much of filter; grandmother always said I would regret that one-day.

"Did you really assassinate the king?" I blurt.

"He deserved it." She says sternly, peering over her shoulder.

"He was your father."

Her only response was the cracking of ice beneath her bare feet as she stalked towards the frosted Iron Gate.

I didn't know if my feet were too frostbitten, or maybe it was my fear that kept me in place. Either way, I wanted to run after her, but my legs felt heavy in the snow. Briar was my only motivation to keep moving forward. As I pushed open the Iron Gate, unaware I had started moving. Cianna stopped and came at me once more, except this time two snow-white wolves appeared at her side. I took a few steps back when I saw the hunger in their eyes, and how close their icy teeth were to my face. The beautiful creatures were bigger than any wolf I had seen in Eeranoke. I can see the black cloak coming closer but the harder I try to focus on her, the more my vision blurred. The last thing I felt were her long, cold nails against my face before my sight went completely black. My mind drifted to the last story Grandmother ever shared with Briar. 

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Grandmother had finally returned home from her travels, and I couldn't help but find myself sitting against the cold wall in the hallway, listening closely to the stories she shared with Briar about Cianna. I leaned in close as Gran wrapped up the some story of how Cianna could freeze people from the inside out.

"Gran, is she still alive?" Briar whispered. "Even after all those years?"

"Oh my dear, very much so. She wasn't aware of how great her spirit was until she released its curse, and in return, she remained frozen her own time." Briar pondered this thought, no doubt thinking of more questions left unanswered.

"Could her cold spirit travel across the Boundaries?" she pondered.

"Well, Briar, that depends. Only someone of Aerowynn bloodline could cause a break in the wall, and not many are left. As you know, most would never dare release her, seeing as she assassinated their prince, Roeland."

"But Gran, you mean someone could possibly find her? If they could break through her wall?" Briar asked, her voice rising from a whisper as it did when she got excited.

"So inquisitive tonight aren't you Briar?" Grandmother says, standing from the bed. Something catches my eye when the moons light reflects off an object Gran places on Briar's nightstand. She then places a soft kiss upon Briar's forehead and tucks her in tight before turning towards the door. I quietly stand to my feet when I hear call from the dark room, "Gran, how do you know so much about Queen Cianna?" says Briar. I couldn't see her face, but I'm sure it was just as serious as her tone. Grandmother sees me against the wall, awaiting her response.

"That my dear, is a story for another time." Gran winks in my direction.

Though, Briar and I would never hear that story. Grandmother fell ill shortly after, along with five others from Eeranoke. Most of the town's doctors blamed it on the ice that had started to form early March. They called it Ice Exposure, and banned the town from crossing the river where the frost had claimed some of our land.   

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<