Daughter of Sun, Bride of Ice

by H. L. Burke

  Sigid dropped a curtsy. “Your highness, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was you ... but still, you can’t just barge in here.” She stood up again, her nose wrinkling. “What if she’d been in the nude? Would that be an appropriate image to carry of your daughter-in-law?”

  “She’s not my daughter-in-law yet. Nor will she ever be, if we can’t get this fixed,” Evyd snarled.

  Flinching, Clindt closed the door behind them. “I’m sorry, Arynne. I know you’ve been through a lot this brightening—”

  “That’s an understatement.” Arynne managed a wry laugh.

  “What happened was a mistake, and we need to find a way to undo it.” Friya crossed her arms. “You came to our land agreeing to marry our Star Prince. As Clindt has repeatedly reminded us, you cannot be blamed for the star spirits’ choice to bestow the bond upon the wrong prince, but that doesn’t change the fact that we need to rectify the situation as soon as possible.”

  Arynne recoiled. “Can it be rectified?” She shot a glance at Clindt. “From my understanding a heartbond is for life.”

  “For life. Death would remedy it.” Evyd’s mouth crinkled in anger. Arynne’s heart stilled. “But my council is too weak-willed to allow me to do what needs to be done.”

  That didn’t encourage her much. Even if Evyd’s council forbid him from murdering Kay, how could they protect the young man from his father?

  “Death is the most common way for the bonds to break, but it’s not the only one.” Clindt sighed. “A heartbond is like a living thing. It feeds off the connection between two individuals, but if that connection sours, if love fades and complacency sets in, it will weaken. There have been rare cases where a couple has become so estranged that the heartbond simply perishes.”

  Arynne bit her bottom lip. Was he saying she could remove the heartbond if she ceased to love Kay? She wasn’t sure if she were capable of that. She’d already failed miserably in her attempts to forget him and move on.

  “That could take starcycles!” Evyd stomped his foot. “We don’t have time to wait and hope those two idiots come to their senses. We need something we can enact now.” He strode forward and grabbed Arynne by the arm.

  Sol hissed and flapped his wings. The king raised his hand in the general direction of the cat-owl, light flickering at his fingertips.

  “No!” Arynne wrenched herself around so the king was forced to turn away from Sol to keep his hold on her. “Don’t touch my meowl!”

  Sigid rushed to Sol, gathered him up in her arms, and hurried him into the bedchamber. The cat-owl gave a low, warning growl, but allowed himself to be stowed away without incident. Sigid had a way with him.

  “There is a third option,” Friya murmured. “Beyond death and estrangement.”

  Clindt’s jaw tensed. “It’s theoretical and potentially dangerous. I will not perform it.”

  Arynne managed to jerk away from Evyd. Sigid came to her side, her shoulders squared as if she were just as willing as Sol to throw herself on anyone who attacked her mistress, king or not. Fear gnawed at Arynne. What could Evyd have planned for her?

  “Thankfully, Clindt, you are not the only mender in the family,” Friya said dryly. She drew the younger woman, who had been standing silently behind them, forward. “Valka is also a mender, and a far less timid one considering she is supposedly the weaker sex and you the man.”

  “I don’t see weakness in being unwilling to risk the health and well-being of a person under my care.” Clindt frowned. “Uncle Evyd, I know you want this settled quickly, but if we act without consideration, we might injure the Princess Arynne—or even kill her which would in and of itself doom Frorheim as the prophecy won’t be fulfilled without her participation.”

  “You’re assuming the worst possible outcome, brother.” Valka had calm, musical voice, softer than her mother’s but somehow still menacing. “Starcycles spent fussing over your daughters has turned you into a worried parent with all your patients.”

  Clindt narrowed his eyes at her. “And I could say that choosing to pursue politics over family has made you cold and too willing to harm others to achieve desired results. The duties of a mender and the duties of a parent are very similar. I will take no action that has a high probability of hurting Arynne—and neither should you.”

  “And I won’t agree to anything that has such a probability!” Arynne stomped her foot. She’d dealt with stubborn kings before. If she was a match for Vanya, she was surely a match for this old fool.

  Evyd rounded on her. “As the princess and future queen of Frorheim, you will do what is best for this land, even at cost to yourself. That is what it means to be queen, a position you agreed to when you agreed to marry Olyn, not Kajik.”

  Defiance sparked within her. He would not manipulate her by throwing the agreement in her face. She’d done her best to fulfil it and could not be blamed for the star spirits’ decision. “And does Olyn think this risk is worth taking?”

  Evyd’s lips pursed.

  “So he doesn’t know?” She stuck her chin in the air. “If I am to marry your son, it wouldn’t be right for me to make such a massive decision without him. I want him here to discuss this with me.”

  “He bolted after that other idiot I sired.” Evyd took a step towards her. “We don’t have time for this.”

  Sigid quailed, but Arynne stood firm. “It’s a small country. Your wardens should be able to find him, and then he can travel back here.”

  “Uncle, please, listen,” Clindt begged. “You aren’t going to bully her into this, so we are better off waiting for Olyn so we can discuss this calmly together.”

  “Oh, brother, you’re so naive.” Valka patted her mouth in an exaggerated yawn. “She doesn’t have to be a willing participant.”

  Arynne stiffened.

  “You’re asking me to forcibly untangle the threads of a heartbond against the will of the patient?” Clindt coughed. “Would you like me to murder her while I’m at it?”

  “You can go, Clindt.” Friya waved a dismissive hand in his face. “Your sister and I have the matter under control. Brother, hold her still.”

  Sigid gave a squeaking cry and tried to dive between Arynne and Evyd, but Arynne grabbed the maid’s arm and held her back.

  “Get behind me!” Hands outstretched, Arynne drew from the embers of the fire. The flames roared to life then crashed over the room in a wave, drawing a line between her and Evyd. Frosty Valka yelped and ducked for cover.

  “Wow!” Sigid gasped.

  The flames disappeared as quickly as they had sprung up, but Arynne drew some magic into her palms and held it in reserve, waiting for Evyd or Friya to make a move.

  “Uncle, I really wish you’d consider the diplomatic approach,” Clindt murmured.

  “Shut up, Clindt!” Evyd glared at his nephew. “If you hadn’t bungled the heartbond ceremony, this wouldn’t be happening.” He pointed his finger at Arynne. “Girl, I am warning you—”

  “No, I’m warning you.” Arynne clenched her fist, sending a shower of sparks into the air before her. “I want Olyn. Now.” She also wanted Kay, but she’d deal with that later.

  Friya’s fingers glowed with a cool, white light. Arynne’s throat tightened. She’d forgotten that, as Evyd’s sister, Friya was also a starcaster. Well, Arynne had taken on a pack of grimwolves practically on her own. She wasn’t about to back down now.

  Friya gave a smile she probably felt was motherly but which made Arynne’s skin crawl. “If you don’t want to be hurt, child, you should sit down and allow Valka to see to your problem.”

  Arynne focused on the heartbond. Her connection to Kay flickered within her mind. She could feel his shame and sadness, but also his quiet determination. Resolve calmed her beating heart, and she glared at Friya.

  “No. I want to speak with Olyn first.”

  “Enough of this nonsense!” Evyd dove forward, clutching at her arm. She sent a blast of fire into his face, singeing his beard. He yelped and threw up a wa
ll of light. The fire broke upon it, dissipating into smoke, the stench of burnt hair, and the tingle of magic.

  “Leave me alone!” Arynne ordered. Her chest flared with heat that shot up her arms and collected in her hands, forming a growing orb of pure orange flame before her.

  Evyd waved his arms in a circle. Light descended upon her like a foot stomping an offending insect. She gasped and let her fire go. It smashed into the side of a transparent but illuminated barrier. A dome of light pressed her into the floor.

  “Princess!” Sigid shrieked, but her voice was muffled. Crouched close to the ground, Arynne punched forward. Her knuckles bruised against a solid surface. Teeth grinding, she sent forth another burst of fire only to have it flicker out before her. Her head swam, and she collapsed against the side of the dome. She was trapped. The air was thinning, probably not helped by her burning it off with fire.

  Kay!

  The panic surging through her called out to him. She tried to stand, but the world grew gray about the edges.

  Kay’s magic surged through the bond. Valka shouted. Something crashed.

  The dome blinked out, and air rushed to surround Arynne. She gulped it in. Olyn towered over her, his solid shoulders blocking her view of Evyd.

  “Arynne!” Kay scrambled to her side and pulled her into an embrace.

  “What were you thinking? Bringing that traitor here?” Evyd tried to push his way past Olyn, but the prince stepped in front of him again.

  Still dizzy, Arynne gripped Kay’s shirt in an attempt to stay upright. He rested his cheek against the top of her head, his beard tickling against his forehead. Worry flooded through their heartbond with disorienting intensity.

  “I’ve got you,” he whispered. “Hold onto me. You’re going to be all right.”

  Arynne closed her eyes, allowing herself a few breaths focused on nothing but his warmth and the strength of his arms around her, even if she knew it was only a temporary reprieve.

  “What are you doing?” Olyn snarled, his eyes flashing with a ferocity equal to his father’s. “Attacking Arynne? Cornering her in her chambers? Clindt, you at least usually have more common sense than this. What’s going on?”

  Clindt worked his way around the glaring figures of his mother and sister. His brow was furrowed, but his slouched posture spoke more of relief than defeat. “Our parents want to remove the heartbond from Arynne. Forcibly.”

  Kay squeezed her tighter, his pulse quickening.

  “Is that even possible?” Olyn’s eyebrows melted together.

  “Theoretically a mender can access and manipulate magical energies within other individuals. It’s how we heal and how we guide the heartbonding ceremonies. However, our magic is not meant to be used to sever magic. It could cause her great pain, maybe loss of her magical abilities, perhaps even death.”

  “He’s a coward unwilling to take a risk for the sake of his country!” Valka stuck her chin defiantly in the air.

  “A risk to Arynne, not to himself.” Kay glowered at his cousin.

  “We can’t afford hesitation.” Friya stomped her foot. “The star spirits’ mistake in bonding the princess to the wrong prince means the prophecy will not come to pass, and Frorheim will be vulnerable. A heartbond only rarely fades without intervention and then only after a great deal of time. If we aren’t allowed to kill you to free up the bond, our only remaining option is to perform the procedure on the Princess Arynne.” She tilted her head. “If you were concerned about your patriotic duty, you’d save us the trouble and end yourself.”

  Anger flared within Arynne though Kay remained steady.

  “Does the heartbond have to be removed on her end?” Kay asked. “Can you do the procedure on me? Let me absorb the danger?”

  “No!” Arynne gasped. She would not let Kay endanger himself on her behalf. Not after everything she’d already put him through.

  “It’s possible the connection through the heartbond is strong enough that any damage done to one half of the bond will also affect the other half,” Clindt said. “While it is noble for you to volunteer, Kajik, if your intent is to spare Arynne from harm, I can’t guarantee that will be the result.”

  Kay gave a grim nod, his hand rubbing up and down Arynne’s spine. “So to be sure I understand this, the only options to remove the heartbond are for me to die or for one of us to endure an untested magical procedure that could harm either one or both of us?”

  “Neither of which is acceptable.” Olyn straightened to his full height, his eyes never leaving his sullen father.

  “I won’t allow anyone to harm Kay.” Arynne pushed herself off the floor and out of Kay’s embrace.

  “You have so much power, dear child.” Friya rolled her eyes.

  Arynne’s fists clenched, but she managed to speak calmly. “You need me. I’m the only Sun Princess you have. I suppose you could make the lengthy journey back to Solea and request a replacement, but I can’t imagine my brother would willingly send another of his female relatives here. He was reluctant enough to send me.”

  Friya and Evyd exchanged a glance.

  Arynne had to swallow a smirk.

  “She’s right, Father.” Olyn chuckled.

  “Silence!” Evyd slammed his fist into the palm of his opposite hand. He stomped closer to Arynne. “We may need you for your part in the prophecy, but you can easily fulfil that locked in your chambers—or, if you’re particularly difficult, a dungeon cell.”

  Kay sprang to his feet and took a determined step towards his father. Arynne put out her arm to block him.

  “And if, pampered child that I am, I fade away from grief and the torment of confinement? What then? Or if I refused food and weaken myself to the point where you can’t use my magical energy in your war against Sorcerer Athan?” She tapped her toe, pulling a bored expression, as if she couldn’t be bothered to consider his ridiculous threats.

  Evyd eyed her skeptically. “You aren’t that desperate.”

  “No, but I am that stubborn and more than vindictive enough to deprive you of what you want if you take from me what I treasure. You harm the man I love, you lose all access to my magic, and your kingdom is doomed.”

  Sigid, who had been cowering in the corner since Evyd’s attack on Arynne, let out a muffled squeak. Olyn and Kay moved to flank Arynne, a satisfied smile on Olyn’s face. Pride radiated through the heartbond even though Kay still scowled at his father as if ready to gut him if the old man so much as breathed too heavily in Arynne’s direction.

  “Look, we’re all tired.” Clindt wiped sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. “It’s been a long brightening, and it’s easy to lose perspective—”

  “Enough!” Evyd threw his hands towards the floor. A flash of light blinded Arynne. Still weakened from the recent confrontation, she reeled. Hands clapped down on her shoulders from both sides, bracing her. She chose to lean into Kay, but squeezed Olyn’s arm in thanks. Her vision cleared except for a few dancing points of light. Evyd turned towards Friya. “What do you suggest? We can’t kill him, but we also can’t let the bond stand.”

  An awkward silence fell over the room. Arynne’s legs steadied, but she still kept one hand on Olyn and her side pressed into Kay. She wanted both of the brothers within reach if Evyd lashed out again. Sigid edged up behind her. Arynne’s heart eased. Not that Sigid would be much good in a fight—as the only one without magic in the room and no weapon—but it was nice to have another human being supporting her.

  As time passed with everyone waiting for everyone else to flinch, Arynne began to get antsy, an emotion reflected in the anxiety rising off of Kay and the way Olyn’s eyes flicked constantly from his father to his aunt and back again.

  Clindt cleared his throat. “Uncle, considering the impasse we’ve reached, isn’t it at least worth considering that we might end the bond via estrangement?”

  Arynne swallowed. That would simply require keeping her and Kay apart and waiting to see what happened. Kay would be out of danger ... th
ough she would miss him. A pang of displeasure radiated through the heartbond from Kay as well.

  “I would accept that route,” she said.

  “It’s too uncertain.” Evyd shook his head. “How are we to keep them apart? The boy can travel, and the girl has proven she can’t be trusted.”

  “Kajik was already planning to leave the Starspire with the wardens, and Arynne’s duties will keep her here in the palace.” Clindt scratched thoughtfully at his beard. “If the bond isn’t meant to be, if it was truly a mistake, the distance will help to weaken it. Given some time, it might fade and die without us having to risk any lives.”

  “I don’t like it, but I’d go along with that, if it means no one will try to harm Arynne.” Kay gave a slow nod. “I was already planning a mission to hunt the grims, after all.”

  Evyd stalked closer to his son and waved his finger under Kay’s nose. “You say you want to leave the Starspire, but you’re still here. How can I be certain that you won’t return whenever it suits you? You might travel into her bedchamber for trysts.”

  Arynne’s cheeks warmed.

  “First off, it would be easy enough to ward her bed chamber against such intrusions, even if I wasn’t aware that she’d roast me if I tried something like that.” Kay’s lips curled in contempt. “Secondly, I will give you my word—”

  “Gah! Your word isn’t worth this!” Evyd snapped his fingers close enough to Kay’s face that the young man flinched.

  “What about a life oath?” Friya purred.

  Olyn started. “No! That isn’t necessary.”

  Arynne glanced at Kay. His face remained stony, though quiet resolution seeped from him into her. “What is a life oath?”

  Clindt let out a long breath. “In Frorian law, oaths can be made legally binding with a set consequence for their violation. In small matters, this is usually financial, but the pledging of one’s life, to be given over to the will of the other even unto death, is also allowed—though not encouraged or, as far as I’m concerned, wise.”

  A chill went through Arynne. “No. I don’t like that.” Trusting Evyd with any power was stupid. Giving him potential power of life or death over Kay was completely unacceptable.