Page 8 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
Ilet my fingers glide over the sandy-colored tiles on the wall of the corridor. Walking the halls of my home one last time, I want to take it all in. My father’s palace is wide and open, there aren’t many walls aside from the ones to our private chambers. Lots of smaller gardens and little oases are gracing the patios, the lush green a stark contrast to the desert surrounding us. The palace sparkles golden under the sun.
I step out onto the balcony of my room and let my gaze glide over the kingdom. There are smaller houses plastered all around the main city, a few bigger villas and we have a new school and infirmary. I don’t mingle much with the people outside the palace, as I was never allowed to go out on my own, but I love watching them. The Everlasting Desert only started flourishing recently. The heat and dry weather prevented us from cultivating our fields, but ever since my oldest brother invested into building that new watering system, things have turned for the better.
The weather is warm and dry as usual. In twenty-four hours, I won’t be allowed to call this my home anymore. The Kingdom of Eternal Ice will be my new home. A shiver goes down my spine, at the thought of what’s going to await me there. Father always said that they are barbarians, cruel and violent. He said it’s typical for werewolves to take whatever they want.
My heart sinks whenever I think of it. He wants me to become the wife of one of these monsters, as he calls them.
He hates me so much for just existing, that he sold me off to a place covered in ice with violent men leading it.
“Princess Azadeh?”
I turn my head, my gaze landing on General Shayan. “Is it time already, General?”
He nods. His normally hard and stoic face softens now, and he smiles gently. “Come, my princess.” He offers me my dark brown robe and I slip into it. It’s hopefully going to keep me a little warm when we reach the Kingdom of Eternal Ice. Beneath it, I’m just wearing a white, flowy tunic and my sandals. My whole wardrobe is made for life here in the Everlasting Desert, I will need to get new things once I’m in the icy lands. Another shiver goes down my spine, as I wonder how I will cope in the cold weather and with the rough men there.
Having a routine helps me calm
I tilt my head, looking at him nervously. “Are you going to come with me, Shayan?” I ask, dropping the formalities.
He nods. “I’d never let you be alone in a country you don’t know, with people you don’t know,” he says simply.
I feel a bit lighter at his words. Shayan is not only my bodyguard, but he is also the man my father made my guardian. He is in his thirties, composed, stoic and quite strict, but kind inside and he is closer to me than any other family member aside from my oldest brother. Shayan is the closest to a real father figure I have ever had.
At least my father showed me a little pity, allowing me to take my friend and mentor with me, although I believe it was rather on Shayan’s insistence than on my father’s.
Shayan leads me toward our caravan, consisting of a few carriages and warriors accompanying us on their horses. I look back up at the palace with its sandy colored walls and colorful windows, curtains in brimming colors are blowing in the wind. As I expected there is no one there to bid me goodbye, but on the top floor, I can see my father’s figure leaning against the balustrade of his balcony. I raise my hand and wave at him, but he doesn’t react.
None of my siblings are there, which doesn’t surprise me anymore. The only one I’m close to is my oldest brother Kiyan, but he is out on a mission. A bitter part of me knows that Father chose this day to send me away, because he knew that Kiyan would have intervened.
Sighing, I get into my carriage where, to my surprise, my maid and best friend is waiting for me. “Simin?” I blurt out.
“Oh, my princess,” she beams at me. “General Shayan told me not to tell you I was coming too. He said it’s a surprise.”
“Simin!” I exclaim again, wrapping my arms around her.
“It’s going to be okay, Azadeh,” she says softly. “I’ll be there and if one of those wolves tries something weird, they will have my foot in their face!”
Next to our window I can hear a loud snort, coming from Shayan.
“I mean it, General Shayan,” Simin pouts.
“I know,” Shayan says. He knocks quickly, making me pull the curtain aside. “Princess,” he tells me in a low voice, making sure no one else hears him. “I would never hand you over to a group of people who would abuse and enslave you. If this were your fate, I would instantly grab you and run away with you.”
“And with me,” Simin adds.
“Of course,” he sighs. “If I didn’t take you along too, you would just follow us anyway.” He looks at me. “Try to have faith in me.”
I nod at him. “I will try to.” My mind still feels heavy though, as I’m not sure what kind of fate awaits, but at least I have my only two friends with me. It’s more than other people have.
“We are setting off now, Princess,” he tells me. “I’ll ride with the warriors to make sure you arrive safely.”
I try to take a more relaxed stance. “Thank you.”
The caravan sets off, and Simin instantly starts to chat with me. “I’m so curious,” she beams. “I’ve never seen werewolves or any other shifters.”
“Me neither,” I admit. “Our kingdom only recently opened the doors to other lands and realms. It takes a while for people to mingle with each other.”
“I bet there will be lots of hot men,” Simin beams. “Werewolves are supposed to be very attractive and strong.”
