Wings of Fire: Melting Ice #2

Chapter 20

Aurora walked through the snowy land, her eyes focusing on the palace ahead. If Iceberg isn't too stubborn this time... She leaped across water, the palace getting closer and closer with each step.

"Wait," Hyacinth suddenly said, a white cloud of air coming from his mouth. "I smell something."

As soon as those words came out, the snow in front of them suddenly moved. The cold white particles flew in the air, and out leaped two IceWings with shining ice-like armor. They held large sharpened narwhal horns in their hands. One came at Hyacinth. 

In self defence, Hyacinth unhinged his jaws and shot his venom at the IceWing guard. The IceWing titled his head, making it land on his ear. He gasped with pain as a sizzling sound set in, but his claws managed to seize the RainWing.

"Wait! Stop!" Aurora cried out. "Don't hurt him!" She pleaded as the guard held the horn to Hyacinth's throat. He had the RainWing's head locked in his arm.

"Princess Aurora, are you okay?" The second IceWing asked. Aurora recognized him as Slick, her mother's guard.

"No, I'm not okay! You're attacking my father!" Aurora hissed.

"Slick! Flurry!" A loud voice roared. Queen Iceberg appeared suddenly, her scales glistening. "So you did take my daughter?" She hissed. "I should've killed you last time I saw you!" She growled. She seemed to notice Aurora's bandaged arm. "Did you do that to her?"

Aurora rushed forward. "Mother, it's not-"

"Be quiet. You do not answer for this pathetic lizard," Iceberg hissed, lashing her tail. The queen stalked forward, spreading her great wings. "Murder, kidnapping, how much worse can you get?" She asked.

Hyacinth dipped his head, his eyes dull. "I came to return your daughter, Iceberg. In fact, she would've died if I hadn't of come here days ago."

"Lies! You took her away and injured her, then try to act like you're a hero!" Iceberg spat. She shook her head, looking angry. She nodded to Slick. "Help Flurry get him to the prison."

Aurora froze. "What-?" She gasped. "What are you going to do to him?" She questioned, grabbing her mother's arm.

"I'll have him executed," Queen Iceberg stated, lashing her tail. She turned, watching her guards fly away while Hyacinth struggled to break free. Her eyes glistened, reflecting the purple sky.

"Executed? You can't! He did nothing wrong!" Aurora cried out, lashing her tail. Her scales turned red, reflecting her anger.

"Did nothing wrong? So him killing my son wasn't wrong?" Iceberg hissed, showing her white teeth. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't impale him in front of the palace."

"Just let him tell you! You obviously won't listen to me. It's better to hear him explain. Please," Aurora pleaded, sinking to the ground. "I know you miss Charming, and blame Hyacinth, but you have to listen. There's a reason it was done," she mumbled, stumbling over her words as they all came spilling from her jaws.

Iceberg stood still, her ice-blue crown reflecting the sun-set. "What did he tell you?" She asked, her voice calm.

Aurora stood still, unsure how she should start. "Well, first of all he saved me. I almost died, you know. I was going to die from blood loss, but he saved me. He took me back to his home in the Rainforest Kingdom. He treated my wounds there. Then he told me about Charming," Aurora stated, her voice cracking as she remembered the vision of her younger brother. 

"And what did he say about Charming?" 

Aurora dug her talons into the snow, unsure if it was the right time to deliver Charming's message. She looked down. "That there was a reason he killed Charming. It was for us. You have to believe me."

"For us? He was an innocent dragonet! What harm could he have done?" Iceberg hissed, narrowing her eyes. "I'll enjoy every second of executing Hyacinth!"

"No, please!" Aurora hissed. 

"Do I have to throw you into a cell too?" Iceberg snapped, flicking her tongue. She sighed heavily. "You poor thing. Hyacinth brainwashed you into thinking that he's good. Well, he's not."

Aurora stood still, frozen like a rock. So it's pointless? I can't save my father from death? Queen Iceberg left her there, and she stayed still until night settled in.

The night sky was dark, the three moons looking down upon Aurora. She looked up at them, wincing. I can't give up. I'll have to try something tomorrow.