“No.” It was Ursad’s turn to stand up, folding his arms to pace the room. “We can’t go there. The Great Divide is extremely protected and isolated. If the Ice King doesn’t want us there, we can’t enter. Only his kin can enter without permission.”
“Wait,” Brisa interrupted as he paused to glance her way. “How do you know that? How would you know if only his kin can enter unless…. You’ve been there, haven’t you?” She glared at him as she waited for him to answer, staring accusatorily. “And who might be related to this ‘Ice King’?”
Soap stood perfectly still, observing Ursad’s sudden shift in attitude. He seemed flustered and caught off guard. If anything, Soap could see a liar in their midst.
“Yes, how would you know such things, Your Majesty?”
The silence filled the room as the two pairs of eyes focused on the prince. Sweat gleamed on his forehead as he flicked his eyes between them and backed away like a frightened animal. “I don’t know, maybe it’s something someone once told me.”
“I don’t believe you.” Brisa was on her feet and stepped toward the prince. Soap grabbed her back as the guards popped out of camouflage and aimed spears directly at them both. Brisa froze and let Soap tug at her arm, pulling her against his chest. They couldn’t approach the prince within five feet. The sharpened metal points were inches from their faces as they waited for Ursad to decide what he was going to do now.
“It’s alright. I’m pretty sure we’re all just very concerned about Shade.” He waved his troops to ease back into their positions. They immediately faded all around the room, but the feeling of solace was gone. Brisa slipped back down onto the settee, looking like she was going to burst into tears, and Soap took to the chair across from her. Tension filled the room, swallowing any kind of hope they might’ve had. They both faced the prince, unsure of what to do next.
Ursad also resumed his position on his chair. He rubbed at his forehead, his alabaster skin looking even paler, if that was possible. Finally, his glowing green eyes flashed open and looked sadly upon them.
“I’m sorry. I tried to keep her safe. I think that Corb has kept her prisoner, though I’m pretty sure he has restored her powers. The last thing he’d want is for her to die from a darkling mark. He needs her, desperately. He seeks to find the Summer Ancient and Shade, well, she’s her only living descendant.”
“What?” Brisa’s face screwed up with confusion. She glanced toward Soap, hoping he might know what was going on.
“You’re saying she’s related to the Summer Queen? The Ancient Seelie ruler has not been seen in hundreds of years. How would Shade know her location?” He was as perplexed as Brisa was and wanted answers, now.
“She wouldn’t, unless the queen tells her.”
Soap laughed, shaking his head but looking disgusted. “So you think she’s going to somehow tell Shade? And Corb will find out? Is that it? So what happens when he does discover the Ancient’s location? What of Shade, then?”
“I don’t know.”
“Liar.”
“Soap.” Brisa shushed him, afraid the guards posted along the wall would emerge again. “Look. Tell us everything you know, Ursad. She was your friend, too. She saved you from your cursed fate and you treat her like this? How could you hand her over to Corb like that? It was you, wasn’t it? You told Camulus to take her there.” A knot of dread twisted in her stomach, knowing her friend was so far away and in so much danger. It wasn’t like she could do anything about it—she was powerless, utterly human. At least she’d make damn sure these faeries had their heads on straight to help her as much as they could.
“I didn’t tell him to take her there because I wanted Corb to take her prisoner. I had to get her there, no matter what. I have to obey any orders from the king. He’s my father and also ruler of this realm, whether I like it or not.”
Nothing short of shock was written across their faces. Corb was Ursad’s father? Comprehension replaced the shock as they waited in silence, not knowing now if Ursad was a friend or foe.
“So when do we go?”
“I can’t go there, it’s—I vowed I’d never return.”
“We don’t care about your tragic childhood or your insecurities,” Soap said. “We want Shade back, and you’ll help us. You owe it to her. She could’ve left you stuck as a deformed mess—a cursed outcast. She could’ve, but she didn’t. You’re indebted to her.”
Ursad flinched at Soap’s words, baring his eyes into the intricately woven rugs on the floor. A thin line where his lips should’ve been told them his tension was eating him alive, maybe his guilt was, too. He knew Soap was right. Shade was owed so many things for her many sacrifices for the Land of Faerie, including saving him from exile. He gripped the arms of his chair until his nails dug into the hardened wood, making them throb in pain and his knuckles turn bone white. Could he face Corb once more? He hated him with every morsel of his being.
The Ancient Ice King had approached him but a few days ago, after years of no contact, telling him what he had to do. Defying him would have only made things worse, so he’d gone along with his orders and hoped that he’d let Shade go in the end. But after all was done, he hadn’t let her go, obviously. This made Ursad’s chest ache with guilt and seared through his heart. Shade would have nothing to do with him now, for certain. This was the absolute worst part of it.
“I understand,” he said. “I’ll take you there, but the dome that protects the castle only welcomes kin once a moon cycle. When the moon is once more full, the gate opens and it will let me in along with whoever is with me. That is almost two weeks away.
“What? Two weeks? No, we have to get there sooner. I’m not waiting two weeks. It’s your fault she’s in this mess! Fix it now, or I’ll fix your face.” Brisa was on her feet again, but Soap caught her before she could even step one foot nearer the prince. They didn’t want to end up dead before they could rescue Shade, but Brisa wasn’t a sit and wait type of girl.
“Brisa,” Soap hissed. He pulled her back to sit on the settee with him in hopes he could catch her the next time she lunged at the prince like a wild animal. “You heard him. Two weeks. We plan our strategy and go from there.” He loosened his grip on her arm, realizing she was squirming from the pressure. “And you won’t be coming along.”
“The hell I’m not. You can’t just dump me here in this traitor’s fortress! I’m going, and you better not stop me either because I’ll….” Her voice trailed off as Soap’s hand slipped over her mouth.
“I have to get you back home. You won’t be coming. Faerie is dangerous for humans. It’s no place for one without magic. Your fate would be my responsibility, and I’m not sure I can protect you by myself.” Soap slowly pulled his hand away from her mouth as she seethed in silence. “Shade wouldn’t want anything to happen to you. All right?”
Brisa glared at him, unable to understand why she couldn’t go. She knew Shade wouldn’t want her to. The dangers she’d told her about Faerie were not pretty, and having no powers was definitely not a plus here. Defeated, Brisa nodded, getting up to leave and get her things from her room. She paused at the door and threw Ursad an icy glare. “I won’t forget this. If Shade gets out alive—and you better hope she does—I will remind her of your lies and deceit. You’ll be very, very sorry.” With that, she stomped from the room and down the hall.
Soap was left to come up with a plan. Two weeks until the full moon. Two weeks of torment to wait and see what had become of Shade and Dylan. He might be in constant competition with Dylan, but he’d grown used to his presence. The absence of them both weighed heavy on Soap and he cracked his knuckles, thinking of them.
Ursad fidgeted in his chair. Watching Soap deep in thought made him nervous. He knew he wouldn’t be harmed; his guards were quick and would best him if they had to. It wasn’t Soap who had him so on edge. Going against Corb was what he feared the most. He’d never attempted to defy his father before, and he wasn’t looking forward to doing so. If he liv
ed through this, he had to make sure Shade knew that he had never wanted this to happen. He’d never willingly put her in harm’s way, but the Ice King was persuasive.
Ursad knew he would pay for everything sooner or later. But for now, he had to at least try to atone for what he’d done, and he could best do that by helping Soap formulate a plan.
Chapter Thirteen
ICE RIPPLED ON shiny, polished surfaces, which gleamed with white and blue. It made Shade think she was still unconscious or dreaming, for walls so smooth yet wavy and blue-white couldn’t be real. Blinking, she reached up to rub her eyes and let them adjust further to the brilliant illumination surrounding her.
Sitting up, she felt the slow pulsation of a fading headache as she examined her surroundings. Warm silken sheets were under her, the same icy blue as the walls. It was some sort of bedroom, complete with a mirrored dresser, a carved ice wardrobe and a small loveseat set to the side of the bed with enormous, fluffy blue pillows to sit on. She glanced above, feeling snowflakes landing softly on her nose. The room was open to the outside through the roof, and the white sky blended into the sharp spires of ice that made up the castle’s exterior.
The snowflakes felt good on her nose; it wasn’t freezing cold as she would’ve expected. In fact, the lack of cold from the obviously frozen surroundings jolted her into full awareness. Glancing down, she saw that the jewel-encrusted dress she wore was way too thin to offer any protection from the frigid temperature. What was this? Where was she?
She dangled her legs over the side of the bed and stepped onto the smooth ice flooring. A dusting of fresh snow littered the ground but it felt of nothing, not cold, not hot. It just was there. She walked over to the dresser and sat on the small cushioned chair that stood before it. Glancing up toward the mirror, she sucked in her breath as she studied a stranger’s reflection.
Her skin was a pale blue, like the frozen walls around her. But her lips remained pink and lush. Her brown eyes stared back at her through ringlets of curls, for her hair was piled up on her head and clasped with a diamond barrette. She looked ethereal, unnatural. Even her fingernails were pure white, like snow.
She stood up, spinning around the room to see if anyone else was there. “Hello?”
The shifting ice groaned in response, but nothing alive answered back. She couldn’t see a doorway, and she feared she was trapped. But was this not her home now? Her confusion made her mind spin, and she sank back down onto the edge of the bed, afraid to realize she couldn’t remember anything or anyone. She only remembered her name.
“Shade?” A calm voice with a familiar ring to it echoed in the room. A rounded doorway appeared in one of the solid walls, sending her to her feet, searching for some kind of weapon. Grabbing the lone candelabra sitting atop a side table next to the bed, she readied herself to pummel the intruder.
Instead, Dylan walked through the door. Or a very changed Dylan. His skin was the same ice blue as hers, but his lips were a welcoming shade of pink. His black locks lay carelessly across his shoulders, laced with wisps of ice. Shade wondered why it was that she knew his name but nothing else. Smiling, she dropped the candelabra, letting it clatter to the ice below, and ran toward him, nearly tumbling him to the floor as she embraced him.
“Whoa there, are you alright, My Queen?” He squeezed her back before holding her out with his arms to take in her face. “Is something amiss?”
“No, no. I’m fine. I was just confused for moment. I’ve forgotten where I am. What is this place? I can’t remember for some strange reason.”
“I know, I feel the same. It all seems so familiar, but the details evade me when I try to remember. But….” He stroked her hair back, his sweet smile making her relax and feel a flutter of warmth inside. “I remember you very well. I remember your name, your face, your voice, your scent….”
Shade’s heart hammered in her chest. She closed her eyes as his lips hovered near hers. There was nowhere else she wanted to be. Nowhere that Dylan wasn’t.
“Yet you look different. I’m changed as well.” She flicked her eyes open at his statement. He seemed as confused as she was, but relieved to find her in this frozen place. His skin felt slightly warmer than hers, but the blue skin with a touch of a frosty sheen seemed an unnatural tone for him. Only his eyes and dark hair were the same, and she ran her fingers through the hint of ice which clung to his locks, tracing them to the ends until her fingers caressed his skin. His hair was now just past his shoulders, growing so fast he’d have his previously long mane back soon. He’d cut it to mourn his life at the Teleen Caverns. He’d had to give up his prestigious position as Captain of the Guard to save his brother Darren and be bound to Shade by blood to protect her. He had been reluctant at first, but now, being at Shade’s side was the only place he desired to be. But how did she know this? What did it mean to her?
She shook her head, confused. “I want to see more of this place. I only wish I knew what it was.”
“I have a very strong feeling that it’s The Great Divide—the Ancient Ice King’s castle. Not too many castles are made of ice in Faerie. Funny, I don’t remember much, but small things do come to me.” He glanced at her in his periphery, throwing her a sweet smile. She flushed and kept close to him as they walked slowly down the hall of ice, gripping his hand in hers.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered.
“I’ll never leave you. Never willingly, at least. You know that, right?”
“Yes.”
They crept on slowly, trying to stay aware of their surroundings. The place seemed abandoned—neither a servant nor the Ice King made an appearance. Coming to a huge palatial room, they stood in awe of the vast spread of food waiting before them on a long table. Two places were set up at one end, and they glanced at each other before they proceeded and sat down. Silver cups stood before them, and their plates waited to be filled. Shade reached over to touch the cup, and it spontaneously filled with rich red fluid. Dylan did the same with his, bringing the filled cup to his lips to taste it.
“Wait, you don’t know what that is.” Shade shook her head at him, her eyes widening with fear as he took a sip.
He put the cup down and shrugged. “I feel fine. Hey, we have to eat. I’m thinking this is for us. Two settings? How much of a coincidence would that be?” He grabbed his plate and started loading it up with the plethora of fruits, chicken, vegetables and more. Shade threw him a dirty look for his gluttony and sighed. He was right, her stomach was rolling in complaint from hunger. She reached out and plucked a few grapes, chicken and something that looked like mashed potatoes slathered in gravy. Salivating from the aroma, she shoved some of the food into her mouth.
We haven’t keeled over so far, thank goodness, Shade thought. Relieved, she continued to eat until she felt fat as a tick and settled back in her chair, sipping the fruity red drink that kept refilling itself. She watched Dylan polish off three plates and down at least four cups of drink. Studying the room, she felt as though she was being watched. The walls could have eyes for all she knew. She shuddered, not from the cold, but from the dread that crept along her skin like a nightcrawler. How could she feel safe and yet so frightened all at once?
“How do we get out of here, Dylan?”
He wiped his mouth as he did his own scan of the room. “Good question. I’m not sure, but there has to be a way out of here, right? Somehow, we got in.”
She nodded, reassured that he was with her, no matter where here was. “What should we do then? I don’t know about you, but the cold doesn’t seem to be bothering me much. I thought I was human, so I should be a popsicle by now.” Bringing her pale hands up, she studied the off coloring of her skin. Touching her fingers to her face, they felt warm to her, not frozen like they appeared. So strange.
“I feel fine. I feel great, actually.” He grinned and stood up, offering his hand to her, and they made their way through another hall. The place was a labyrinth. How anyone managed to not get lost here was a wonder
. The ice sculptures, halls and doors were so intricately carved, she wondered if they ever melted. Probably not. Wherever this place was, it was cold enough to build a castle made of ice, so it probably never got warm.
“Shade, do you remember anything—anything whatsoever—about life outside these walls?” Dylan kept on, his tunic shifting with every step. It clung snugly to his broad chest and his pants were just the same. She blushed, realizing her admiration of his body was getting to be quite absurd. She couldn’t keep her eyes off him. Maybe that was a good thing. They obviously liked each other. Why fight it?
“No, I don’t remember anything or anyone besides you and the Ice King, Corb. Why is that? And why do I not feel like it matters much? Bits come to me like a foggy dream, but they don’t mean much, or I can’t figure out what I’m supposed to know from them. I’m just happy to be here with you.” She squeezed his hand and felt his reciprocate. Somehow, with his small gesture, he made everything okay.
“Me, too. It’s quite odd, isn’t it?”
“Yes. Quite.”
Chapter Fourteen
“I EXPECT YOU found the castle to your liking?”
Both Shade and Dylan jumped at the frosty voice that emanated from the doorway. They were back in her room, the one she had initially awoken in, and had been chatting quietly as they sat on the bed. Dylan had also woken in his own room but found hers more comforting. Maybe because she was in it.
“Corb.” Shade stated. Her eyes widened at the Ice King and she jumped to her feet. Dylan had moved around the bed to stand by her, ready for a fight if need be. “What’s going on? Why are we here?”
His flat expression gave them no clue of his mood. Mother of pearl irises made him seem more like a ghost than anything else. He was handsome, with his sharp nose and carved jawline. The long mane of white and black hair was tied tightly into a lone ponytail which trailed down his back. He looked different somehow. He was no longer wearing the white attire he’d worn when they’d arrived. He was now dressed in his black riding attire, the lieutenant’s uniform he’d worn when he’d led Aveta’s army. He looked somewhat tired, as if he’d been riding for many hours. Dirt clung to his boots in small clumps, trailing bits all over the snowy floor.