Queen of Ice (Through the Fire Book 2)

by Benjamin Medrano

That made Ruethwyn giggle, and she smiled as she replied. “Now you’re sounding like Korima.”

  The nymph began walking again, and Ruethwyn had to wonder if the distance to the portal was shorter, with how quickly its shimmer was growing closer. That or they were moving more quickly than she expected.

  “Korima is wise, in some ways. She certainly knows how to intrigue fey, and stories are definitely one of our loves. We’ve told her the gist of what has happened and allowed her to share a story of it… suitably exaggerated so as to obscure some of the details, of course,” Zaria said, smirking as she did so. “If they perform a play, this quest of yours may involve an epic battle here. That often discourages those who’d otherwise beg for help.”

  Ruethwyn let out a sigh, cringing at the thought of her life being put into a play. After a moment she asked plaintively, “Did you have to? I don’t like the idea much. All I want to do is rescue Anara and the others, not become famous!”

  “Well, that sounds like your problem, Rue. Take it up with Korima, not with us,” Zaria replied, smirking as she added, “As much as you can, anyway. Now go on and reassure them that you’re alright, would you? It’ll likely calm them down.”

  Ruethwyn realized they’d reached the portal when she hadn’t been thinking about it. Glancing behind her, she blinked in surprise, since she couldn’t see any sign of the lake or palace, and the clouds were beginning to form once again as the wind picked up.

  “How did we get here so fast?” Ruethwyn asked, a bit startled. “I swear it took me hours to get to the palace!”

  Zaria simply smiled, then shoved Ruethwyn, her voice cheerful. “Summon me when you need me, Rue!”

  Ruethwyn let out a yelp as she stumbled through the portal, and with a strange sizzling sensation, she found herself standing beneath the tower in the middle of Valisair. As she appeared, several fair folk stopped to stare at her, and Ruethwyn blinked at them, then looked up to see that the sun was sinking toward the horizon. At least, she thought it was. If she remembered right, that direction had been west from the tower.

  She glowered back at the portal, then let out a sigh, murmuring. “I suppose she wasn’t going to answer anyway.”

  Adjusting the dress, Ruethwyn turned and started back toward where she thought the guest quarters were. Hopefully her friends were doing well.

  Chapter 45

  “Rue? Is that you?” Sella’s voice broke the silence of the room, and Ruethwyn blushed as the others looked at her.

  Sella was sitting in a chair with a book in her lap, and the young woman was looking at her with a stunned expression. Korima and Tadrick were both nearby, the former writing in a notebook, while Tadrick had been oiling his armor. By contrast, Essryl was relaxing on a sofa, wearing little more than tight leather pants and a glittering corset. The dark elf sat up quickly, though, causing a golden amulet with four gems set into it to become visible, rather than resting on the sofa. Something about the amulet looked familiar, but Ruethwyn couldn’t quite place it, and she was rather distracted at the moment.

  “Um, yes, it’s me. Do I look that different?” Ruethwyn asked, flushing slightly.

  “Yes,” Tadrick said bluntly, his eyes wide. “I wouldn’t have recognized you if they hadn’t warned us that you’d be coming back changed. Your eyes are mostly the same, but everything else…”

  “I don’t know about that. She has the same facial structure and she’s just as tall as she was,” Korima said, smiling broadly. “She moves the same, too, mostly.”

  “Agreed. I’m afraid your injuries did make it easier to pick you out, but I think I’d have realized fairly quickly it was you,” Sella admitted, sitting up straight. “You’re gorgeous now.”

  “Well, that’s not exactly something that I chose, you know,” Ruethwyn replied. “I just wanted to be healed, and this was the only way to do it in the time I had.”

  “Mm, perhaps so,” Essryl said, smirking as she continued. “As I said before. Your body is a shell, something to be changed. You may have changed yours a touch more than most, but it hardly changes who you are. For the most part, at least.”

  “I guess. Maybe,” Tadrick said, still staring at Ruethwyn. “I’m just… it’s really you?”

  “Yes. For better or worse, it’s me, and I feel absolutely wonderful,” Ruethwyn said, a smile slowly spreading across her face. “I’m better than I’ve been in ages, really.”

  “Wonderful!” Korima exclaimed, having set aside her notebook. She only gave a moment of warning, but that was enough this time. Ruethwyn laughed, reaching out to catch her friend as she bounded across the room to embrace her. “So now what’re you going to do? This is a bit more than just removing your curse!”

  Ruethwyn laughed, hugging Korima gently before disentangling herself. “I’m not sure just yet. I have a few ideas, but…”

  “But they’re going to have to wait,” Essryl said, smoothly climbing to her feet and smiling in amusement. “I won’t have you discussing them while I’m here, Ruethwyn. Seeing that you passed the test of the local… monarch, things are going to be interesting. This is the last time I’m looking in on you until about this time next year. If you enter the palace, I do hope that you’re careful. If you aren’t, I’ll have to hurt you. That’s a shame, but it is what it is.”

  The others froze, but Ruethwyn looked back at Essryl thoughtfully. Some of her fear of the woman had faded. Not fully, perhaps, but… after a moment, she asked, “You know what’s on the other side of the portal, don’t you?”

  Essryl smiled back, shaking her head. “Come now, everyone has their secrets. You should know better than to ask that one, Ruethwyn.”

  “Perhaps so,” Ruethwyn admitted, frowning. Finally, she sighed and nodded to Essryl, her voice soft. “Thank you. I know you’re an opponent of mine, but… if it hadn’t been for you, I would’ve died after Mellesyn.”

  “You’re welcome, Ruethwyn. May the Shifter bless your travels from this place,” Essryl replied, nodding slightly and smiling warmly at Ruethwyn. In fact, the warmth seemed… different somehow. Almost like the smile Korima gave at times. Before Ruethwyn could consider that, the dark elf continued. “Anara and the others are well enough. I think I need to share this little tale with them… they do love hearing about your progress, after all. I’d best go. While this vacation has been interesting, someone has to pick up after My Lord.”

  Ruethwyn watched as the dark elf headed for her room, her tail flicking with a smooth rhythm. She had to wonder, had she been imagining the more intimate tone to Essryl’s voice? As the door closed, Ruethwyn sighed and shook her head, murmuring. “She’s so strange.”

  “That’s definitely a word for it,” Sella agreed. “She wasn’t hostile while you were gone. if anything, she seemed to expect your absence.”

  “Yeah. Unlike the rest of us, she was pretty calm when you didn’t come back,” Tadrick agreed. “Why didn’t you tell us you wouldn’t be back?”

  “I wasn’t given much of a choice. I’m told that they explained a little of what went on?” Ruethwyn asked, looking between them as she tried to set her thoughts of Essryl aside.

  “Not much, not really,” Korima said, her eyes bright with curiosity. “Can you tell us anything?”

  Ruethwyn hesitated, then shook her head and smiled wryly. “I made an oath, so I’m fairly sure that’s not allowed, sadly.”

  “Drat,” Korima muttered, her ears drooping.

  Ruethwyn laughed and reached over to scratch behind Korima’s ears, causing a yelp of protest, followed by the kitsune nearly going limp.

  “So, when do we head back to Waterstone?” Sella asked, tilting her head. “Since you’re completely healed…”

  “Tomorrow, I think. Assuming that my clothing fits, in any case… if it doesn’t, that might slow me down,” Ruethwyn told her, her smile warming a little more. “It’s time for me to figure out exactly what I’m going to do.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Tadrick agreed, nodding in approval.

/>   Ruethwyn felt herself growing calmer and happier. She had friends who supported her, she’d been given a new body by the power of the gods themselves, and she had the magic her teacher had taught her. More than ever before, she thought her quest to save Anara and the others might just succeed.

  But that was for tomorrow.

  Epilogue

  She remembered the fire. It had billowed toward her in an incredible torrent, and she’d only just shoved her student aside in time. It was frustrating that she hadn’t been able to do more, as there were so many things she’d wanted to share. Tales to tell, lessons to teach… and none of them could be imparted anymore. Instead, she’d been consumed by the fire.

  That’s why it was so confusing when she woke up. Sinera’s eyes opened to darkness, and for a moment, she wondered where she truly was. Sitting up, she found herself laying on a cool stone table, one in a vast chamber that she didn’t recognize. Something felt different about it, like it was colder. But as she flexed her hands, looking down at her naked body, Sinera realized something was stirring inside her. Magic, she realized… her magic was no longer impeded, and with it, her confidence grew, along with something else. Something cold and dark.

  The door cracked open and a man stepped inside, his eyes gleaming gold as he called out. “Sinera? You’re awake?”

  “Resvarygrath?” Sinera asked, looking at him and the light spilling into the room. She should hate him, she knew. A voice was whispering that in the back of her mind. Yet at the same time, she felt a warmth rush through her. “What happened to me? I thought I died.”

  “You did, my dear. You did die, but I captured you before you could vanish,” the man replied, stepping into the room and smiling broadly. “I helped repair your mind, then did what I could to create a young body for you and your sister.”

  Repaired, or changed? Sinera had to wonder, but she didn’t really worry about it, not as he helped her to her feet. A moment later, he enveloped her in an embrace and she was almost knocked from her feet by his kiss. It was warm and passionate… but eventually it ended, and Sinera smiled as she looked up at the dragon in his human-like form.

  “Minerva? You restored her as well?” Sinera asked, trying to find her bearings still.

  “Yes. She woke yesterday and is waiting to meet you,” Resvarygrath explained. “She’s annoyed that she’s lost her contracts but is otherwise quite happy. Would you like me to take you to her?”

  At the thought, Sinera reached down inside her and found that he was right. Her contracts with the elementals were gone. Instead, there was something else. Something that was formed of shadows and darkness… something new that felt natural to her. Something she’d have to explore privately.

  Instead of saying anything, she smiled at him and nodded. “Of course I would! All three of us have some catching up to do.”

  “Excellent! I’ll take you to get some clothing first. I have quite the wardrobe for you,” the dragon replied happily, offering an arm.

  “That sounds lovely,” Sinera said, lacing her arm through his.

  As they walked, a cool part of Sinera’s mind wondered how Ruethwyn was doing, and if she’d survived. If she hadn’t, Sinera would be very upset.

  How fortunate that Resvarygrath would be close to vent her anger upon.

  Thank you all for reading Queen of Ice, I greatly appreciate it! You find the next book, The Obsidian Palace, below!

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  Also, if you’d care to review this story, I’d greatly appreciate it! Thank you for reading Queen of Ice. You can find a sneak-peek of The Obsidian Palace on the following page.

  The Obsidian Palace

  Prologue

  Sinera looked up at the sky and took a deep breath, smelling the coming rain and the tingling sensation in the air. The dark clouds above her were heavy with water, and she expected the rain to come soon. The air around her almost danced with potential, and Sinera smiled.

  “Are you sure you wish to be up here, my love? Lightning could strike, and while there are a few higher peaks in the area, that doesn’t guarantee your safety,” Resvarygrath asked, and Sinera glanced over to see the dragon in his human form and smiled more warmly at him.

  “I’ve taken measures against that, don’t worry,” Sinera replied, looking back to the sky. “I just want to feel the wind and rain against my skin. It’s been so long since I felt it in this way. I’ve never felt more alive.”

  “Oh? That’s good to hear,” Resvarygrath replied, smiling broadly as he did so. “I was worried you wouldn’t feel quite right.”

  “Mm… justifiably, really. I don’t feel like this is completely my body, but I’m adapting bit by bit. Why don’t you go inside? I’ll be down soon,” Sinera told him gently, keeping her tone light.

  “Why? Do you not wish for my company?” Resvarygrath asked, a hint of displeasure flickering across his face.

  “What? You’re fine, dear. I simply want to be able to focus on the weather, and you’re so distracting that I can’t,” Sinera replied calmly. It wasn’t entirely untrue, but neither was she telling the whole truth.

  The dragon smiled at that and nodded firmly. “In that case, I’ll go get ready for dinner. I’m looking forward to it, my love.”

  “Of course,” Sinera replied, watching him leave, then looked up at the heavens again. Once she was sure he was gone, she murmured, “I simply need a bit of time to learn who I truly am.”

  As the first scattered raindrops began to fall and chill her skin, Sinera closed her eyes and reached within herself. Perhaps Resvarygrath believed that Sinera wouldn’t realize that her body wasn’t truly her own, but the dragon couldn’t be more wrong. The pulsing power of her body resonated with Sinera’s atavism, and she’d quickly realized what it implied.

  Sinera’s body was now predominantly crafted from the body of an elemental. It was here, surrounded by the elements, that Sinera could determine the full truth. As thunder rumbled across the sky, the elements brought the shadows within Sinera into sharp relief, and she smiled as she felt the stirring whispers of an angry voice in the depths of her mind.

  Resvarygrath must have attempted to erase the mind of the elemental whose body this was, Sinera reflected. Unfortunately for him, that wasn’t possible. Most elementals’ body, mind, and soul were all one, so their minds couldn’t be truly destroyed without destroying their body as well. So Sinera drew on her power and reached out to that voice to commune with it.

  “So, who are we, my dear? Tell me, what has happened in truth?” Sinera asked softly. And slowly, as the rain grew stronger… the voice grew louder.

  Author’s Note

  Another part of Through the Fire is complete. This one was easier to write than The Avatar’s Flames in many ways, but I wouldn’t claim that it was truly easy. Writing is a complex endeavor, and unlike many authors, I don’t plan out the plot in detail. I usually have a start point and end point in mind, but not much more than that, so the twists and turns things take is often surprising.

  After this, I’m writing The Obsidian Palace, which is the end of the first arc of Through the Fire. It won’t be a true end, as there are plenty of stories for Ruethwyn that could be told, but it’s the end of her quest to rescue Anara. I have another potential book (or several) after that that could be written, but they’re going to have to wait.

  I’ve got lots of future plans, but for now, I just want to thank you for reading the book. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you’d leave a review it’d help me enormously. Reviews are a huge part of what makes th
e difference between success or failure for an independent author, so every review helps.