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"uh, hi" Illia cursed herself for sounding so stupid. Luckily her attention was drawn away from the winged male, to the beautiful red haired female. "Somebody is waiting for you at the border". Illia held out her hand towards the breathetakingly beautiful fae that stood before her. The female hesitated before grabbing the pale hand of the future High Lady of the Winter Court. What Illia didn't know was she was currently in the presence of the first High Lady in history, Illia's title by birth right. Her platinum blonde hair creased as she turned her head to glance at the male one last time, her male. Winnowing the red-haired fae directly to Mor. Illia hoped the other three males had the ability to winnow, otherwise she would have to get them out before the guards found them.
The minute they landed the red haired beauty was in Mors arms. Illia waited for the male to show while the two conversed. When he finally did, he had the other male in his arms. Instead of winnowing, they flew in. The beautiful winged male that screamed death incarnate just looked at the female embodiment of Ice. She sent him a lipped smile. He didn't send one in return.
She could hear the snow crunch beneath their boots. 3 pairs. 2 males. 1 female. She could smell the sweat coming off them in waves. The 2nd guard shift was about to end, Illia figured they were doing a last perimeter sweep. "You have to go, now. Guards."
Mor looked towards the female who would no doubt make the best ruler she had ever seen. She bowed towards Illia as a thanks, in return earning a head bow of acknowledgement. Mor hoped she would live to see her reign.
After her exchange with Mor, Illia met a set of hazel eyes once more. "The border tomorrow, same time. If you have any interest in pursuing this, that's where I'll be." Illia bowed her head one last time to the five fae who stood before her. She watched Mor winnow them to the Night Court. Illia released the breathe she was holding. She found her mate. The blonde shook the thought from her head and winnowed to the palace hoping to avoid the incoming guards. Instead of chasing the warmth inside, she began her trek to the stables. The wards around the winter palace only allowed for certain people to winnow within them, even then you couldn't winnow into the palace or stables themselves. She once again, cursed her ancestors for building their home on the side of a mountain as the chilly wind stung her delicate skin. Making her pale cheeks and nose rosey.
Most would keep horses in their stables. The horses were kept in the town below. The Palace stables kept polar bears. Illia rubbed her hands together to keep warm, it was useless seeing that her skin was as cold as the snow covered ground. The stables where larger than anything in the town below. They where all white, like most things in the winter court. Two large doors where the only entrance besides the one that led to the bears outside area. The stables were warded against anyone outside of her family. Their very own escape. These polar bears weren't the ones they took to war. They were the one's who were born without sight, without limbs or with a little extra. Her mother raised them herself and grew to love each of them as if they were her own. Illia pulled the right door open. It took all of her strength.
The floor was artificial ice, parts blanketed in snow. The walls were made of the same wood as the outside. No cages were in sight, not a single one. Just a large open area with a pond in the middle. The pond was big enough for at least a dozen grown polar bears, luckily they only had four. It was stocked with fish every morning for those who could catch them. The others were hand fed by Vivaine. Large fleece lined beds of various colors strewn about. Bits of bark, various sized sticks and large balls of harden clay that served as entertainment were all over the ice cold floor.
Illia smiled at two of the bears, who were fast asleep on the ground. Ora and Meela, her mothers favorites. Ora was born blind. She was the oldest. Meela was the first bear Vivaine had that didn't have a leg, she lost it when playing with the other cubs at just a couple weeks old. Illia was positive she wasn't going to make it but her mother never gave up. Xula was born with small lungs, no where near a normal polar bears lung size. She couldn't stay under water long or even carry someone on her back for longer than a couple minutes. When she was a cub, Vivaine paired her with a male cub named Zear, so she would never feel alone. When they came of age they were moved into the stables together. Playmates until the day Zear died. Vivaine had lost him only a couple months ago. She mourned the bears as if they were her children. She was heartbroken, vowing to not leave Xula. It wasn't until Kallias removed her from the stables during slumber, frightful she would freeze to death, did she leave the bear's side.
The youngest bear, Cree, was born with out ears. Making him deaf. He was also the bear Illia had a bond with. His birth was the first her mother allowed her to assist . Sadly, his mother died during his birth. Resulting in Illia being up all hours of the night feeding the deaf cub. Cree loved Illia as much as she loved him. The two where only apart when she had High Lady business or training, out of fear he would get hurt. Cree was the only bear Vivaine would allow in the palace. He slept on the floor by Illia's bed every night, did his best to steal her breakfast every morning, and chewed at her mothers favorite chair on the balcony. When he grew to full size Vivaine tried to move the bear out to the stables, hoping the separation would do them both some good. Both Cree and Illia cried the whole night. She made a vow to her daughter that they would never be separated again. Needless to say, Kallias was shocked when he arrived home to find a four year old bear on his favorite rug in the sitting room.
Side Note: If you see a polar bear, run. They are not even as remotely as friendly as the ones in this story. This is a work of fiction based off of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Not real life. Thank you for reading! Much Love.
