Page 173 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
“Then, I get her minions,” Artio growls.
Above us, Favian has his wings spread wide open, visible to everyone who would look up. The golden dragon is flying again!
Artio leads us directly to the witch’s lair, not minding what obstacles we come across. The werebears on our way, now freed from the spell, are choosing their sides. Many of them seem to be loyal to the witch, but some are joining us.
I hope Cailleach will be able to find an alpha’s child within them or a high-ranking member, someone who would be able to take the reign of the remainder of their sleuth.
Artio lets go of a terrifying growl, soon followed by Favian screeching loudly; our surroundings almost shaking from the sheer strength of their battle cries.
I hope Endellion and the others understand this as my signal for attack.
I shouldn’t have worried, though, because soon more and more wolves are coming forward, a huge black wolf leading them. My Caspian. They are running with us towards the massive manor that stands proudly amidst the snowy mountains of no-man's land. Penelope’s warriors have seen us charging at them and come prepared for a fight. Unfortunately, the remaining werebears who have not changed to our side are joining her people against us.
It's my first time actively being in a battle. I never imagined it to be this chaotic. Everyone is screaming. I can hear yells and cries, the metallic sound of weapons. Sitting so high on Artio, my view is blurred.
But, I can’t blur out the noises, the cries and screams.
“Watch out,” the voice of a young female warrior reaches me. “Princess, a spell!”
Artio ducks his body so that I won’t be hit by the spell cast at me. Before it can happen, Caspian races forward, jumping up onto Artio and turning into his ice wolf form, protecting me from the spell.
“You look so beautiful,” I whisper to my Ice Wolf Prince.
He growls contentedly, jumping down again and throwing himself into battle. In his new form, his opponents are no match for him. Aware now that there are witches attacking us, too, Cailleach makes sure to keep us shielded from everything.
“Princess of the Sun,” she whispers into my ear as she passes me. “I have my own goal.” “I will come with you,” I say.
Artio, who has heard our exchange, carefully lowers me to the ground. “Thank you,” I say.
He nods at me before throwing himself into battle again. The last time Artio was in battle, it was against the werewolves. I can see some of them are apprehensive with him being around, and while I understand, I hope they are aware that we need him now.
Meanwhile, Cailleach and I enter the manor. “I’m looking for the witch,” Cailleach says, her voice deadly.
“No, first we look for my friends,” I emphasize. “Their safety comes first; your revenge comes second!”
“Only because I owe you,” she huffs. “Who are we looking for?”
“A human and a werewolf,” I say.
She disappears into thin air again like wind whirling around me before nudging me in a specific direction. “It smells like blood,” she blows into my ear.
My heart sinks at her words and I start running. Blood? Please, Shayan, still be alive. My dear General. He was the only one who celebrated my birthday, who brought me presents from his travels, who listened when I needed to vent emotions. He scolded me when I was reckless. He was the one who I cried to when I felt the loneliness, and who spent his free time taking me places. He made sure I read a lot and educated myself, and knew my own worth.
He is the only father I’ve ever had in my life. That newfound realization hits me like a brick. I can’t lose him!
Cailleach’s wind guides me along, nudging me in the right direction until I find myself running down the staircase toward a dark corridor. It feels humid and cold here, and there is the scent of blood in the air. Growls and hisses can be heard, and a truly mind-boggling view opens itself to my eyes once I’ve run around the corner. A huge dog, or wolf, is baring its teeth at a woman clad in black. She has long black hair, and there is fury and madness all around her.
“She is mine,” Cailleach says, her voice only a whisper, but the deathliness in it sends chills down my spine. “Your friends are in the cell to your left.” She turns to the other creature. “Harbinger, step to the side.”
My mouth drops open when she blows past me and the… dog and latches onto Penelope. Her body turns into thin air again, black and dark this time, as it engulfs the witch. “Death is too easy,” Cailleach screams. “I will bind you to the depths of the desperation of your mind for the crimes you committed against this world, its deities and its inhabitants.” Cailleach disappears for a moment, and Penelope turns around as if she is searching for her. There is panic in her eyes. She is muttering something, maybe a spell, but when she opens her mouth, the black dust appears again, flying into her nostrils, her mouth and eyes.
“Azadeh?”
I spin around, as Shayan’s voice pulls me out of my shock. “Shayan!” I blurt out, hurrying towards him and hugging him. “You are alive, you are… are you hurt?”
“No,” he says quietly.
“Are you-” My voice trails off as my gaze falls on the two people next to us. Horror fills me as I realize the man is Royan. His limbs are twisted and standing at awkward angles. There is blood all over him, his skin tone is white like all life left him. In his arms, there is a young woman with arrows sticking to her back.
