Page 67 of The Kingdom of Eternal Ice
So, this means we’ll need to find out which version we are dealing with: the angry one or the desperate one.
“So, she is a ghost?” I try to verify.
Eibhlin tilts her head. “She is more than that,” she says. “She is a thought, the manifestation of despair and fear. There are many different stories about her, but they all have one thing in common: The veiled woman or… apparently, the woman in white, as we now know, always dies a tragic death, either through murder or suicide. Furthermore, she has always experienced great betrayal and loss.”
“Do you think she exists?” Flinn asks Eibhlin.
“I do,” She says. “I know everyone tends to laugh at my silly ideas and thoughts.”
“We don’t,” I tell her. “Neither Flinn nor I are laughing.”
Eibhlin eyes me with interest. She has never been impolite to me, but she is more distanced than the other siblings. She displays a feel of creepiness, but not an uncomfortable one. “I believe she exists; sorrow and pain exist everywhere, and she is the embodiment of it.”
twenty-two
The Ball
*ALANA*
Ilet my gaze wander through the huge ballroom as Kilah helps to prepare for the masquerade. “This is amazing,” I tell her. Kilah and I might have our issues, but I must give credit where credit is due. She really knows how to organize such an event.
“Really?” Kilah smiles proudly. “Do you like it too, Azadeh?”
Aza nods. “It looks amazing. Is it really going to be such a big event?”
“It’s for the whole pack,” I tell her.
Kilah was against inviting lower ranks, but since our father told me to organize it, there wasn’t much she could say about it. I wanted everyone to be able to join this welcome party for the princess, and not just the nobility. They do have to register their names for it, and we have a lot of guards and security stationed.
“Wow,” Azadeh says. “It’s great that everyone can attend.” She smiles nervously. “It’s my first event of this kind.”
“Surely you went to balls or parties?” Kilah asks, shocked.
Azadeh remains silent, and I’m not sure how to diffuse the awkwardness. Kilah doesn’t mean ill, and I think part of her is truly fascinated by the beautiful Desert Princess, but there is a reason Aza barely talks about her home. I just hope Kilah will learn one day to read between the lines. At least she is trying, though, and she is genuinely welcoming towards the princess.
“Don’t worry, Princess,” Ita saves the day as usual. “Prince Flinn is going to be there, as will the rest of us. We will show you how to party.”
“Don’t forget Tynan,” I point out.
“I think he will rather sit there and pout, and try to win his general’s attention,” Ita grins, making us all chuckle.
“We should help him eventually,” I point out, feeling sorry for our friend. Tynan is a nice, kind guy, if a bit rough around the edges; he just can’t do feelings. He turns into a helpless Neanderthal in front of his mate.
“Oh, look at you,” Ita teases, wrapping an arm around me. “My favorite goody-two-shoes.”
I can’t help the warmth that spreads through my chest at her words and touch. I know Ita isn’t my mate. I know I’m doomed, but I just can’t help it.
“How about we go and drink something warm ?” Kilah asks, unknowingly saving me from this embarrassing moment.
“Good idea,” Azadeh agrees.
“I can organize some hot chocolate,” Ita offers. “Let’s go and visit my parents.”
Everyone seems to be on board. Aza has been looking worried a lot recently, so I’m glad we can distract her a while with the masquerade. Kilah, however, first nods happily before she shifts around nervously.
I wish I could link her, but unfortunately, she doesn’t have her wolf yet. “Is everything alright?” I whisper to her when the others are busy checking out the decorations.
“It’s just… Gamma Ita doesn’t like me much, and I know it’s my own fault. I just don’t want to annoy her in her own house.”
