Page 98 of Burning Ice
Only his breath fogged the surface.
“There he is.”
Mirel flinched at the familiar voice. The air changed, heavy and still. Ice left his hand in a violent shock, and he gasped, overwhelmed by his own power.
Imperial Milanov smiled. “No need to be scared, frostling. Come. She’s waiting for you.”
Mirel followed.
Inside the room stood a large bed.
Norma Zephyranth lay in it, wrapped in white sheets and pillows. Her hair was a tumble of gold, eyes fluttering under a white gown edged in silver.
Mirel moved closer. He couldn’t look away. This was the royal consort, Imperial Milanov’s wife, Moargan and Helianth’s mother, Kylix’s aunt. A legend, a myth. Once loved by Helions, later vanished.
Yet here she was.
In her full melancholy.
The air tightened. Mirel’s eyes clouded white, blurring his sight. Through the ice, his hand shaped uncontrolled patterns along the wall behind her.
He saw how she had managed to use her own Dariux enhancements, the ones rejected by her body but accepted by her mind, to reach Cyprian and beg for Helianth’s safe return.
“She was the love of my life.”
Mirel turned and saw Milanov sitting by the window. He winced, unsure if he was welcome.
“We were so happy. She was my queen.” Milanov stood and walked toward the bed, hands clasped behind his back. He looked regal in his white cape, fur-trimmed, blond hair swept aside. His bright violet eyes carried a sadness that filled the room.
“My parents gifted her the Dariux injections. We were excited, dreamt of it. What gifts would she gain?” He took his wife’s hand and kissed it. “My Norma gave me two beautiful sons. But soon after she was injected, her brain failed. We rushed her here. I thought I’d lose her forever. Then the doctors said she was still alive.”
Mirel watched as Milanov sat beside his wife, stroking her hair.
“She has been like this for twenty years, frostling. And I’ve been here with her all these years. Forever bound. Forever love. First she slept. Then Aviel came home from a horrible foster childhood. His Dariux brought him back to where he belonged. With us.” Milanov’s smile turned tender.
Mirel frowned. He’d known there was more to Aviel than cruelty. The man carried something old behind the eyes. Of course they shared more than blood. That was the rule for all Dariux heirs, to return to Helion if they survived.
“To come back home.”
“Then came Cyprian. And my beautiful Norma saved Helianth’s life. A true miracle.” Milanov’s breath stuttered.
He chuckled when a tear iced in the corner of his eye. He peeled it away and watched it melt in his palm. “And then you came. Or worse, you’d been there for a long time. How long, frostling? How long until Kylix found you?”
Mirel looked away. “Um, about eight years. They didn’t want me anymore.” He coughed. “Ice. Then spaceship. Then Geron.”
“It was your Dariux, Mirel. It wanted to come home. You know, my nephew was a happy boy. He grew up with Moargan and Helianth. Then about eight years ago, he changed. Kept to himself. I could tell he was hurting, but I didn’t know why. Soon after, he joined the Luminary. Made it to the top by hard work and bloodline. But you know what I think?”
Mirel shook his head. His heart hurt for Kylix.
Milanov’s mouth softened. “I think he sensed your arrival, Mirel. Maybe he was searching for you without realizing it.”
Mirel’s heart clenched. The bond tugged. The thought that Kylix,hisKylix, might have searched for him, a grave rat, was too much.
“And now you’re here.” Milanov kissed his wife’s hand one last time and walked to the window. “Come, frostling.”
Mirel hesitated, then approached.
“Norma might sleep, but her mind is awake. I trust she will find you too, include you in the Dariux network. You are special, Mirel.”
