A Frozen Heart (A Blood War Novel Book 1)

by Alia Johnson

  A constant peck on the window startled her awake. She was thankful for the interruption. She was dripping with sweat after being chased through her memories, her hand pressed to her breast to slow her breathing.

  A large evian sat on the other side of the window. It was a bird used to send messages through the kingdoms. The birds had been used a lot during the Blood War to send messages of all types across territories. Families separated utilized them the most to keep track of one another. She released the latch on the window, letting the evian fly in to land on her mirrored table. He chirped and fluffed his dark feathers, holding out a clawed leg. Lighting a candle stub helped her to see a package attached to the leg.

  Odesha didn't have an affinity for animals like Saphira. Her sister could talk to animals all day without stopping to rest. It surprised guests and courtiers alike when they realized she wasn't speaking to them when she passed. Odesha reached for the package slowly to not startle the evian. Eventually the package dropped to the table after several tugs at the knot. The evian hopped away with another chirp. She took a couple pieces of breakfast left by Miravena and placed them beside the bird. It trilled with happiness. Unwrapping the package, she discovered letters from King Desmond and Saphira, but she looked closer inside to see if Vashti had sent her anything. A small silver necklace attached to a note caught her eye.

  “If in need, use me – Vashti,” the inscription read. Vashti must have stolen some of father's brew to drink again because it was barely legible. The necklace glittered prettily in the candlelight. The end of the necklace held a small crystal, but a shadow caught her eye. A lone speck of blood was in the center. A frozen tear trailed down her face when she figured out the crystal was a bloodstone. She absently swiped the small tear, holding the necklace up to the light to see it better, and whispered, “Thank you, Vashti.”

  The sacrifice Vashti made of sending the necklace to her caused the ice to warm around her heart. If in the wrong hands, the necklace could be disastrous. Odesha could summon Vashti at any moment. Until the blood dried, Vashti would be by her side. To an assassin, it was priceless.

  She read over each letter, wrote replies to all three, and attached them back to the evian carefully to not hurt it. The evian flew out of the window with a harsh push of wings, showing its great strength. The bird disappeared on the wind to return home.

  Her heart may just have a little more time if the tear was any indication. She had felt…something…when she saw the lone drop.

  Relief? Happiness? Odesha wasn't sure.

  Chapter 3

  They were scheduled to visit the salt mines today. Walking to the waiting carriage, Odesha displayed her royal status, in part thanks to Miravena's help. Her thick winter dress, lined in fur, flowed in the breeze of the cold day. The bloodstone was clasped around her neck for protection. Free of its bonds, her white hair, always glossy and straight, hung down to her waist. A small diamond coronet sat on her head, glinting in the pale light. She wanted to make a good impression on the people her first day out of the castle.

  Before dressing, Odesha drank an entire chalice of blood to help her get through the day. The blood helped her gray eyes shine with life. Thirst wouldn't affect her this day.

  While they walked to the carriage, Miravena made small talk with the princess, her previous reticence gone in the new morning. Odesha's personal guard stood beside the carriage. The only guard she knew by name was Captain Philo, since her brother had personally selected them, but she was determined to learn the other names. A new respect had entered their eyes since yesterday. They knew the pain she had suffered, but she had braved the dungeon beside them.

  After assisting the women into the carriage, Philo ordered the driver to move out. As they traveled, Odesha admired her new countryside. The mostly flat lands of pure white snow sparkled from the pale light. Dark snow trees twisted and turned high in the air. Large, dangling icicles gleamed, holding on tightly to their branches. In the distance, the salt mines rose from the ground in giant waves, making her wonder what was on the other side. She didn't remember anything listed in the history books she had studied. As far as the books were concerned, Antiqua was the end of Kaia, their world.

  Miravena secretly watched the princess staring raptly at the countryside, thinking it was miraculous Antiqua received such a gift. The beautiful lady looked ethereal in the carriage. Her grace and demeanor were intimidating, though. Odesha turned to Miravena, feeling her gaze. She quirked a lip up slightly, trying to appear more approachable and softly complimented the fidgeting young woman, “Thank you for breakfast this morning, Miravena. You are always efficient.”

  Miravena's nervousness increased, but she tried to appear confident, sitting straighter in her seat. “Welcome, my lady.” They lapsed into a comfortable silence, until Miravena cleared her throat to ask, “My lady, could I tell you about Antiqua?” Odesha motioned for her to proceed, giving Miravena her full attention. Odesha's nails remained retracted, her stormy gray eyes calm, helping Miravena gather the courage to continue.

  Smiling, trying to mirror Odesha’s confidence, she began her story. “I wasn’t alive for the Blood War, but I do remember the time when your mother was alive. Before Vladeric came, we lived in small villages around the castle doing day-to-day tasks. When he arrived, his men started to sort us into workers, villagers, and castle workers. He was secretive at what he was doing in the castle; we hardly ever saw him. Then one day, he emerged. Cruel, heartless. He made the people mine day after day. Our healers strained themselves to keep the people healthy. Some said they preferred slavery over his treatment. Some tried to escape to Merdi to send word of the conditions, but Vladeric had them cut down. So, we tried going over the mountains. Many didn't return. One of the miners came back from a search over the mountain. We learned there were monsters on the other side. Giant birds guarded Kaia’s borders. The guard described a forest, shrouded with their nests high in the trees. The people that escaped over the mountain…all gone.” Miravena turned pink in embarrassment, adding, “I don't mean to talk so much, my lady. I just wanted to give you our history, so you know what to expect when you arrive. These people have been through much.”

  Odesha reached over the seat to grasp Miravena's hand. The frozen appendage caused Miravena to gasp.

  The rumors were true, the princess was frozen.

  Odesha ignored Miravena’s surprise, replying, “You’ve been extremely helpful since my arrival by assisting me any way you could. I hope to repair the people’s trust, but I need to know the threats. The birds…do they pose a danger now?”

  Scrunching her nose, Miravena answered, “I have only heard of sightings of birds farther up the mountain. None have come down to the village as long as I've been alive.”

  Odesha imagined a giant bird flying down to Antiqua, sitting back hard against the seat with worry.

  Another concern. A giant bird attack. Hellfire, what she wouldn't give to have Endemion here to figure out this mess, she thought to herself.

  Miravena leaned in conspiratorially, gaining confidence by the minute. “They call the bird ‘orik,’ after the champion fighter from history. They say the bird has giant plates on its body, like what Orik wore fighting. Gray feathers make it hard to spot when it flies. It has a beak, as a long as a tree. They say the clawed feet are as big as a wagon.” She held up a hand, forming claws, growling. Miravena’s avid storytelling caused Odesha to crack a smile. She would've laughed out loud at one time in her life after such a demonstration. Now she could barely smile. The ice had changed her so much, she didn’t even know who she was anymore. Odesha gazed at one of the snow trees trying to picture an orik, turning her troubled thoughts away from her personal problems.

  What other creatures were hiding behind that mountain?

  They arrived at the salt mine, stepping out of the carriage, assisted again by Philo and his men.

  Miravena indicated where the head miner lived; his home was carved in the side of the mountain. The scarr
ed wooden door was closed tight against intruders. Odesha motioned to the doorway. Before the door opened, she attempted to straighten her appearance to give a good first impression to the head miner. Philo knocked loudly.

  The skinniest man Odesha had ever seen opened the door. His tuft of frazzled gray hair stuck straight up in the air like it was waving hello to the group. His too large spectacles sat on the end of his nose peering up at them curiously. Odesha cleared her throat to introduce herself, when the man gasped. He grabbed his chest and fell back on his bottom in the snow. The guards rushed to help him up, but the man waved them away.

  The older man pointed a bony finger at Odesha. He shouted out, “Me thought a ghostie was hauntin’ me. Me old heart stopped beatin’!” His garbled accent made it hard to understand what he was saying.

  Odesha pressed a hand to her chest, confused by what he had said. She reassured him, “Sir, I can assure you I am no ghost. My guard can vouch for me. They've been protecting me for days now.”

  The guards nodded their heads, agreeing that the princess was not a ghost.

  The man harrumphed to himself. He stuck his hands in his overly large pockets, filled over the top with knick-knacks, and remarked, “Supposin, you be the princess. Be thinkin’ you were your mum lookin’ just like her, standin’ there in her fancy frippery.”

  Odesha winced slightly. She asked, “You knew my mother, sir?” The stories she had heard of Bera’s past made her cautious.

  He nodded his head decidedly. “Knew her since the day she was borned. Worked in the castle with her parents. Good people, her parents. Sold her to the highest bidder, didn't they? But the gal wanted a big ol’ name for herself.”

  His boldness made Odesha speechless for a moment. Miravena worried her lip with her teeth in distress. She looked back and forth between the two. Even Philo tensed at their stare down.

  Suddenly, Odesha's lips formed a small smile in response. She agreed, “Sir, I believe that's the most accurate description I've heard of her yet. If one day you have the chance to meet my father, I believe he would agree.”

  The old miner's booming laugh echoed through the clearing. The guards stepped forward to grab his small arms. They hefted him to a standing position with harsh grunts, suggesting he weighed more than his slight frame showed. Shaking off the guards supporting him, he linked his arm with Odesha’s. He pulled her with him against the protest of her companions. She quickly waved them off, having too much fun with her new friend.

  “May I ask your name, kind sir?” She wanted to know everything about the head miner that had known her mother.

  He sighed dramatically, “Me mum gifted me with the name Gamble.” Looking at her pointedly, he waited for her reaction.

  This made her pause in their journey to the salt mine. She stopped walking, sure she had misheard him. “Gamble, sir?” It sounded as if she strangled on the word.

  He continued to pull at her arm, his tuft of hair bouncing in distress on his head. She looked at him in disbelief when he yelled loudly to her, “Right! Gamble. Cuz me mum liked to gamble and me mum liked me.” His bushy eyebrows wiggled on his forehead, making her smile. Not wanting to hurt his feelings, she smothered an unexpected laugh with her free hand. The guards, however, had no reservations and howled with laughter. The warm feeling across her chest felt wonderful, unknown to her.

  “Gal, you'll be wantin’ to meet the miners, I reckon. Mira there has been tellin’ ya stories, I be thinkin’. And they're probably a mite right, but we've been hearin’ some too. The boys are eatin’. Best time to be a-makin’ your frippery talk.”

  “Mr. Gamble, that sounds perfect,” Odesha quickly added. “When would be a good time to speak about the low profits from the mines?” She wanted to start working on the problem as soon as possible.

  Gamble looked startled, almost falling over again, but Odesha gripped his arm, prepared this time for his nervous stumble so they both didn’t fall. “Gal, the profits have been boomin’ since the mines been workin’. Now ain’t that mighty grand?” He toothily grinned up at her, holding a thumb up. He waited for a response from her, but none came. She stared at him blankly, even when his eyebrows started to wiggle again.

  Confusion swamped Odesha. This was the exact opposite of what had been reported in Merdi, but before she could ask, Gamble stumbled away from her, finding his new victim. He ran clear across the clearing, yelling at a poor man hunched over his lunch. He loudly asked if the man was working tomorrow.

  What an easy-going man. If the court at Merdi had heard the way he spoke to her it would have been a death sentence. Here she felt…free. The missing profits still worried her, though. She would have to get to the bottom of the mystery. Odesha rubbed her chest, feeling her heart tingle. She observed the new clearing Gamble had taken her to. The large cavernous entrance the miners used was in the distance. The bright torches seemed to go on endlessly. Long tables sat in front of the entrance as families mingled during their break. Some families noticed Gamble as he walked by and sent greetings to him. He returned their greeting just as loudly. He knew everyone by name, that was obvious.

  One curly head caught her eye. Evie waved frantically with her family. They smiled at Odesha brightly when she waved back. Evie pointed at her baby fangs and wiggled her eyebrows like Gamble had. Odesha smiled slightly. She felt her chest warm in happiness, causing her to gasp.

  Happiness? Was she happy here alone? Could she be? Odesha would have to study these new feelings closer in private, not sure what was happening to her. Were the people her spark?

  A nervous energy filtered through the crowd when people noticed her. Some even turned white with fear. The miners tried to shield the small children, fearing she was like Vladeric, even though the new rumors said she wasn't.

  Odesha waved to Gamble to let him know she was ready for her “frippery,” as he called it. He let loose a loud call used to gain the miners’ attention. The people next to him winced. Their hands rubbed their ears, while they shook their heads at him. They were obviously used to the head miner's quirks.

  Gamble nodded his head so hard his glasses almost fell from his nose. People gave him their full attention, while he busily straightened his mismatched vest. “All of yous listen to the princess's frippery.”

  A clap of his hands echoed loudly in the silence. Gamble turned to Odesha to wait for her speech. The people turned an incredulous gaze to her at that statement, trying to understand what Gamble had meant. Odesha subconsciously straightened her appearance, stepping up to where most people could see her. One thing Father had taught her was how to command a room.

  Miravena watched her princess approach the tense crowd. Her presence filled the area with her hidden light. The confidence she showed the crowd made Miravena feel proud to call her their ruler. Odesha bared her beautiful teeth in a semblance of a smile to draw the audience in and make them feel more comfortable with what she was about to say.

  “My people, yesterday the tyranny of Vladeric was eradicated. His remains are no more! My father, King Desmond, loves this land. With the passing of my mother and close family members, this land fell to the king many years ago.” Odesha cleared her throat with a gentle cough. “He recently gifted it to me. My name is Princess Odesha De Von Desmond. I will strive to the best of my ability to be a fair overseer. I hope you will give me a chance to prove myself and settle any misconceptions. The stories I have heard of your suffering have touched me deeply. I promise, as long as I am overseer of Antiqua, I will keep you and your children safe. Thank you.” Miravena looked around, trying to get an idea how the people felt about their new princess. It was a short speech, but to the point. She hoped the people heard the princess's underlying meaning. Most of the people were content but whispered behind their hands to neighbors and friends. The princess waved regally to her new subjects. Miravena's heart swelled, because it finally felt like everything was going to get better. Antiqua had a ruler they could be proud of.

  Odesha mingled with the m
iners and their families, learning their stories. Some were so heartbreaking it made a tear track down her face when they shared their sorrow from the hardship they had faced from Vladeric.

  Surprisingly, many couples she met were a mixture of different species. This cohabitation astonished Odesha, after she recalled prejudices her mother had tried to force on her. Lines were drawn between species in court, it had never changed. Odesha met with demons, humans, and even a woodland fey, bundled up tightly to protect herself from the cold. Her frozen heart beat loudly at the love and companionship this close-knit crew shared. She invited many to come to the castle in the coming days, while Miravena jotted their names down in a small book she carried. The lunch bell dinged, signaling the miners’ return to work. The guards moved to bring the carriage around at her order. Odesha sent Miravena off on her own task to speak with Gamble to schedule a day he could discuss the mines' profits further, not wanting to keep the miners from their job or from talking with their families; that would be rude.

  The families were packing their bags, saying their goodbyes to return home, when Odesha heard the scream. She raced towards the sound and looked up in horror. A massive bird circled the families on the edge of the clearing. The only thing it could be was an orik. It was exactly as described.

  Miravena hadn’t underestimated their size. Odesha's mouth dropped opened when she saw the sheer length of its body. It was the most menacing creature she had ever seen. The metal plating ran down its face, reaching as far as its toes. The sharp plating gleamed against the snow. The eyes were purely black. It threw its giant head back and let out a piercing screech that made Odesha's ears pop. The face was reminiscent of a stork that called the lakes of Merdi home.