Page 26 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
Caelan laughs and tousles his hair. “Or you could teach them how to play.”
“Yes, it could lead to some steamy interaction,” Flinn says. “Strip chess,” he adds, making the room holler in laughter.
I look at Kilah for a moment, noticing how unhappy she looks. I’ve not interacted with her much yet, and I don’t want to judge her without knowing her, but years in solitude with only watching people in secret have made me perceptive. From what I’ve seen so far, she tries to be perfect and to fit into a certain image she has created for herself. My heart hurts for her, because she is not successfully fooling her family, but also because I know how it feels to hide who you are.
“I’m sorry you had such a harsh welcome to our lands,” the silver-eyed prince, Endellion, says. Never in my life have I seen such eyes, and for a moment I get lost in them.
“Was it a harsh welcome?” I ask.
“Well,” he chuckles. “You were first surprised by a blizzard and then attacked by werebears.”
“Oh right.” I feel flustered for having forgotten that. “It’s just… the people welcomed me so warmly,” I admit.
“About the blizzard,” the king starts. “I would like to know more about that.”
“My king,” Beta Quinn turns to Gillean. “I think we should postpone the discussion about what happened and why til tomorrow.”
“You are right,” the king stands up. “Our guests traveled a long distance. General Shayan, I have had a suite prepared for you on the second floor. Royan, Tynan and Quinn are on the same floor.”
Shayan shows him a small but grateful smile. “Thank you, King Gillean.”
“Azadeh, your new room will be next to Kilah’s. And Simin will get the room next to yours.” At his words Simin’s eyes widen, while Kilah looks happy at having me close by.
This gesture means more than anything else. The fact that I am next door with one of his own daughters means he has put me on one of the floors where the princes and princesses reside, and on top of that he made sure that Simin is close by.
Also, I know it’s a huge honor for Shayan to be living on the same floor as ranked members of a pack.
“Thank you so much,” I say. “I don’t have words that can convey how thankful I am.”
“You don’t need to be,” he says. “I told you we want you to like it here.” He turns to his children. “Girls, show Azadeh and Simin to their rooms, will you?”
“Of course.” Kilah looks excited.
“Nevyn, help Quinn and Royan to show General Shayan around.” He turns to the triplets, and while everyone is distracted, I steal a glance at them. They are all so different. Caelan is blond and has rough and wild hair going almost to his shoulders. Endellion’s hair is black and only slightly curly, but an inch or so longer than Caelan’s. And Flinn’s hair is fiery and short. “Boys,” Gillean says, “stay here with me, so that we can discuss the werebears.”
The princes’ faces turn serious at their father’s words, but they still make sure to bid me and Simin a goodnight. It’s only when we truly go separate ways in the castle that I realize how tired I am. The place itself is beautiful, it’s sturdier built with bricks than the palace at home, but the inside is decorated warmly.
“It’s fascinating,” I say to Alana. “How the castle looks. I was expecting stones and bricks, but the interior is beautiful.”
“I know, a lot of people say that when they first see it,” she chuckles. “Even those from our own lands. It’s called the Ice Castle for a reason.”
“It blends into the landscape,” Kilah hurries to explain to me. “And symbolizes the kingdom and its snow and ice, with its white bricks.”
“It’s stunning,” I reassure them.
“Do you like it too, Simin?” Alana asks.
It’s lovely that Alana includes her that way. I was contemplating including her in the conversation, but I don’t know how to socialize, I don’t know how to talk to others. This whole thing here is utterly exhausting. It’s just because of Alana that I’m not terrified.
Simin nods. “It’s beautiful. Ice Castle fits it. I was expecting something dark, but this… it feels so homely inside.”
“I’ve seen pictures from your home,” Alana says. “The vast deserts, the cacti, the oases and also the palace. It’s so open and light. And here, everything feels heavier and darker. It must be strange to be in such a different place.”
“It is different,” I admit. “But the kindness of the people made me forget how different it is.” I pause. “Different doesn’t mean bad.” I look at Simin, and she nods.
“You don’t need to be so shy,” Alana encourages her. “It’s just us girls.”
Simin looks at me helplessly, and I decide to explain it to them without beating around the bush. “Simin and I are best friends, but the hierarchy in our country, at least in the palace, is even stricter than with the werewolves. You live in packs, and disrespect might get you punished, but harmless banter won’t. Where we are from, it could cost you your head.”
