Page 108 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
“Alana…”
“You're back,” I say without even turning around.
“Alpha Blaine filled me in on what happened today,” she says. “Good work.”
“That’s not the only thing that happened today,” I say. “Caitlin’s sister told me in private that she saw a dragon.”
“What!?” Ita exclaims.
“She said it was a brief moment, and she only saw how it took off. There was fog all around, so she isn’t sure about the color, but she is sure that she saw one, just like I did.”
“Alana, that’s unbelievable news! Do you know what that means? Not only do we have a second sighting of dragons now, it’s also in this area, the same as you saw one so many years ago. It also means that it was the right decision for you to come here.”
“I know,” I say quietly. “Part of me is so relieved.”
Ita sits down next to me on her bed. She starts opening her hair. It’s wavy and long, and I fight the urge to brush my fingers through it. “And the other part of you?”
“The other part is confused.”
A hint of guilt flashes through Ita’s eyes. “We should forget it ever happened,” she says quietly.
“You started it,” I say. “You made the first step. Why did you play with my feelings if you regret it only a minute after?”
“I don’t regret it.”
“You do,” I say. “Or you wouldn’t have spent a day outside, making sure to avoid me.”
For a long while, it’s silent between us before Ita breaks it. “You have a mate out there.”
“I know, but I’m willing to choose.”
“You are a princess,” Ita says. “The Warrior Princess. You might do things differently than other princesses, but in the core of it there are still choices you can make, and those you can’t make.” She pauses. “It was my mistake. I never should have made a move.”
My heart aches at her words. “Why did you then?”
“I…” She shifts around nervously. “I was weak,” she admits.
“Do you truly not feel anything beyond friendship for me?” I ask.
Ita takes a deep breath. “I fear that we are just trauma bonding. We were both lonely.”
I feel sudden anger filling me. “Please don’t make fun of my feelings for you,” I huff. “You are entitled to your own feelings, but so am I.”
Ita turns to look at me. “Alana, I-“
I don’t figure out what she wants to say, because a loud bell disrupts the silence of the night. One of the warriors blows into a horn. Alana and I both jump up at the same time. Meanwhile, Tynan comes barging in. “There is an attack,” he yells. “It’s the bears!”
thirty-six
Ambush
*ALANA*
Ita takes the lead, rushing out of the door with Tynan and me hot on her heels. “Alpha Blaine,” she yells, catching up with the man easily. “Where?”
“Eastern and Northern border,” he pants.
“Alpha, which border is weaker?”
