Once Upon A Winter

Chapter Four: Nevaeh

Winter~

"Winter, slow down" called Aisha.

I slowed down a bit, before heading upstairs. My eyes were pounding, and I wasn't sure why. An unknown craving kicked in has I stopped in mid step and held on to the rails. It was like a crave for food; for meat to be exact. I put my right hand on to my head has my eyes kept pounding.

"Winter?" asked Aisha.

She was right beside me has I heard the maidens footsteps coming from the west wing. Everything was louder now. I could hear everything. I looked up at Aisha has her eyes widened. Why did they widened? "Father!" I heard her call. It was a small scream, but to me, it made my eardrums to quake. I fell down and sat on the steps has Aisha had ordered the maiden to call for Father in the garden. Everything was shutting down around me, the room was beginning to spin... I just felt the need to eat. Flesh. I could hear the maidens hurry down the stairs and into the garden. I could hear the snow being crushed their steps has I shook my head. Father's steps were heavy has he was hurrying inside. Nevaeh's foot-steps were light and gentle, no hurry in her. Father was at the stairs has I looked down at him. My shawl was hiding my arms has I allowed them to rest beside me. I was no longer scared, nor frighten. My eyes were feeling heavy though, but even that, didn't bother me. His face, he had turned to Nevaeh and held her by the arms. He was shouting... I couldn't hear him for a moment has I closed my eyes and stomped my foot down. Ice was splattered around has I stood up. It angered me that Father was treating her like that. Why did it anger me? I'm not quite sure... but it did. Aisha took a few steps down, towards Father, before turning to me.

"Winter, please, don't cause the palace to turn to ice." She told me.

I sat back down has I looked down at my feet and hands. It was cold, but it didn't bother me. Nevaeh pushed away from Father's grip and hurried up to me. I watched her has her eyes changed. They were icy blue, but a warmth of caring and love I felt. Why? They reminded me of Mother's eyes... I felt at ease has the ice around began to turn to particles and vanquish. Father was hugging Aisha, who stared at me. Nevaeh placed her hand gently on my cheek has I stared at her eyes once more. It was like a connection. I could feel her breathing for a moment, a settled environment has I fell into slumber.

It was a winter morning when father had ordered for the maidens to play soothing music for us. I had just finished braiding my hair has father was discussing how I would have to marry soon.

"Great opportunities will come to you, my sweet daughter."

"Such as, Father?"

"Well, marrying the Prince of Aragon would bring riches to our lands"

"Besides the grand dock for our battle ships you say?"

"Well that too" he grinned, "You are very alert on those things"

"Yeah..."

I wanted to complain to him, but I was to obey my father; who was the king of our lands. Father would smile and talk about how good a matrimony would be.

"How about Prince of Emera?"

Before I could share my thoughts with him back I heard the soldiers dashing back into the palace. The calm, soothing royal music had stopped suddenly once the voices of angered soldiers burst through the palace gates. I remember father standing up immediately, turning to me and saying,

"Head to your room at once."

An obedient princess I was. I nodded and without any hesitation, without a question, I did what I was told. I don't recall the next arguments. The maidens has followed me to my room has they stood outside. They told me,