Page 4 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
“I’m very sorry for your loss,” he says. “I can’t imagine what you are going through right now.”
For a split second, she looks sad before the determined look returns to her eyes. “There will be time to grieve,” she says. “But today, my people, the very few that remain, need their luna.”
“That’s true,” Endellion nods. “Is your baby well?”
“She is a bit cold, but other than that, she is fine.” The luna smiles slightly. “She is strong. She has to be because now that my mate and my firstborn have died, she has to take over one day. A difficult task for more than half of our pack was killed.”
“We’ll make sure to find the attackers who did this,” Endellion says earnestly.
“He is right,” I chime in with a frown. “We can’t allow them to terrorize the villages at the borders!”
Her pack is situated high in the mountains, close to the borders leading into no-man’s land. For months now, the more secluded villages and packs have been attacked by an unknown force. Ever since the attacks began, we started to be prepared for the signs; mostly an attack happens when a blizzard approaches. Endellion has claimed several times that he was able to see a beast within the snowstorm, but I’m not sure if I can believe that.
Well, we’ll see. One foot in front of the other.
Alana makes sure everyone, including us, gets something warm to drink and eat, and soon, everyone is chatting and trying to shake off the terrors of today. We stay with the townspeople and rescued villagers for a while, before retiring to bed.
Tomorrow, Dad has called us to an important meeting. Just between him, his beta and advisor and the three of us.
*ENDELLION*
My body was so exhausted from the long day, that I dropped into my bed and slept for hours without waking up once. My sleep is rather light normally, but I assume I was just too drained. The moment we had heard from our witch that a blizzard was approaching we headed out, arriving at the village to see half of the people already dead. Whatever attacked them had retreated before we came.
I wonder what it is that attacks these villages. Is it an attack on our kingdom or does their goal lie somewhere else?
Caspian stirs slightly in my mind.There is no use breaking our minds over it, he grumbles.I just know something is out there.
And that’s supposed to put my mind at ease?I mutter while climbing out of my bed and heading to the small adjacent room, where there is a tub and a sink. Ever since Mom befriended a witch and brought her to the royal pack, we have a lot more luxury in the castle. Magic is truly something else. Washing ourselves got so much easier.
Caspian doesn’t answer; I assume he just doesn’t have anything to say. I’m a bit late today, so I skip breakfast and head directly to the meeting room. We have several of these in the castle, the big one next to the throne room is mostly for strategic discussion. I’m surprised Dad wants to see us there.
On my way, I bump into Flinn. “Good morning, sunshine,” he grins.
“Good morning, psycho,” I greet back.
He laughs. “Why am I a psycho?”
“Only someone with true darkness in them can be so happy early in the morning.”
He laughs lightly at my words before his eyes turn serious. “Do you know what this is about?”
“I have no clue,” I admit. “But we’ll know in a minute.”
When Flinn and I reach the meeting room, Dad, his beta and Caelan are already there.
“Good morning,” I greet them politely, noticing that our father has had a bottle of wine and some slices of cake brought from the kitchen.
Caelan and I exchange a gaze, and he shrugs, probably equally as confused as I am.
“Sit down, boys,” Dad says with a bright smile. He waits for us to sit down and for his beta to close the door before he continues. “Finally, the day has come!”
“I can’t believe it,” Flinn exclaims. “Are you going to announce one of us as your heir?”
“If only,” Beta Quinn grumbles. He is an older man, his hair a touch of gray already, yet he’s still attractive. At least, that’s what Alana claims. Not sure what she sees in him; might be that silver-fox look of his. Flinn always jokes about Alana’s taste in men and women. The both of them share a lot, and while Flinn is mostly attracted to men, Alana says she likes all genders.
“This here is new,” Quinn continues, annoyed. “Believe me, not even Prince Flinn could have expected it.”
“Are you finished with making fun of me?” Dad grumbles.
