Waves of Ice: a Wings of Fire fanfiction (COMPLETED)

6.

trigger warning: death, graphic violence, and gore

Vigilance

Just because this made sense, in theory, doesn't mean it feels right to be here.

Back. In the Night Kingdom.

I can't believe the barrier around the mountains actually let me in. Apparently, they've discovered that it'll repel SkyWings--not kill them, but it will throw them back enough to break bones.  So this was the SkyWing court's grand idea--the one they figured Clearsight would be too busy and distracted with the threat of war and trying to figure out how to break me out (ha!) to see in the futures, and hopefully by the time she realizes what's going on, her husband is lying dead on the floor.

And their daughter.

I dig my talons into the dirt, taking a deep breath.

You're being too sentimental. She deserves it.

I take a step forward, adjusting my hood. It feels wrong to enter my kingdom this way, but, well... I guess they asked for it.

They didn't have to leave me there. They knew what was going to happen--especially Clearsight.

They brought this upon themselves.

***

The wind bites into my scales, making me grimace. You'd think I'd be used to my own kingdom's climate, but aside from the little excursion into the Sky Kingdom, I can't remember the last time I left the palace. Or even looked out a window.

As a queen should.

I hate the silence of the mountains. I hate how I have to go soft and slow, because moons forbid my own citizens know I'm here.

Who's taken the throne, now that I'm gone?

I know Star, my eldest daughter, was supposed to take it if I were ever indisposed--I tried to change that law a couple years ago, but I never managed to get it through council. Eventually, I guess I kind of forgot about it.

Be surprised if the place isn't in shambles. I bet Star doesn't even know how to hold a meeting with that moonsblasted council.

I growl, a little bit of smoke wafting out of my nostrils.

Once I'm done with Darkstalker, I'm coming for her. For daring to take my place.

The SkyWings said I was free to go as soon as I made the kill. I mean, I wouldn't trust Queen Carmen any further than I could throw her, but still. She can't control me.

No one can control me. Not anymore.

I'm not the little dragonet I once was.

And they're going to regret the moment they ever dared to leave me there.

***

I creep around like a wolf on the hunt. Soft, and slow, and deadly.

It's amazing how fast childhood instincts can come back. Even though I haven't have to sneak anywhere since I was a dragonet.

I've never been to Darkstalker's house before. It sort of forgot he had one, to be honest, but the location was indicated on some important palace records, in case I ever needed to send him a messenger—and I guess under the pressure of torture you can remember a lot of things.