Page 97 of Burning Ice
“This is the Imperial Wing. It’s prohibited for the general public.”
“The Imperial Wing?” Mirel’s mind raced. “Oh, I?—”
“He’s been invited.”
Mirel’s mouth fell open when Aviel came walking, black and gold Luminary uniform sharp under the lights.
“Follow me.”
Mirel staggered behind the golden-eyed man. The tension rose. His hand trembled. Ice wanted out, louder than it had ever been.
“She’s been waiting.”
“Who?”
Aviel turned the corner. A large wing with the national colors of Helion stretched ahead. On the side, his neck chained to thewall, stood Theo, dressed in white, blond curls giving him an angelic glow.
“You,” said Mirel.
Theo looked up.
Mirel’s hand touched the multi-slate again, but seeing the other guy like this made him hesitate.
“Come,” Aviel said.
Mirel followed, realizing Aviel hadn’t spoken to him at all. His flaring eyes were fixed on Theo.
“Come on, pet. I’m an impatient man. And you know what happens when I lose it.” He didn’t look away. “She’s waiting for you.”
Mirel hesitated. What had Cyprian said? That Aviel had been too occupied with his pet? What had that meant?
Theo bristled. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“No?” Aviel laughed. “No? So if I do this…” He took two steps forward. “You don’t feel like running away?”
“Fuck you.”
“No, pet boy, that’s not how this works, and you know it.”
The glass doors opened automatically. Mirel hurried inside.
Where the hospital had been white, the Imperial Wing was full of color. Against the wall hung photos. Mirel slowly passed them, eyes tracing the smiling faces. So much happiness.
Family portraits of the Imperial family. Mirel smiled at a young version of Moargan and Helianth, blond and bright with those amethyst eyes. Together with their father in a swimming pool. Dressed in formal suits at a dinner table. And there, Kylix. Mirel’s breath caught. He reached toward his bonded’s face. He traced the jawline, the mouth, the eyes. Amano.
He was still to find out what drove Kylix. Like here, in this picture. He smiled. What had made him smile? What made him happy? Mirel only knew Kylix to be loyal, fierce. But what truly touched his heart?
Light ran over the glass frames, catching his reflection between theirs.
One photograph showed a family at a long table. Another caught laughter mid-motion. The smiles looked perfect, but the surface felt cold.
When he moved closer, frost began to form along the bottom edge of a frame. He wiped it away, but the chill stayed.
Each picture felt too alive, as if the people inside still watched him.
He traced Kylix’s face again, the jaw and eyes almost matching his own reflection. The thought unsettled him.
A pulse built behind his eyes. The air thickened with perfume and dust. For a second he thought the glass moved, someone leaning forward, a shape about to step out, but when he blinked, nothing was there.
