Chapter 36: An Icy Welcome

Dread filled Saffron’s stomach as they climbed the marble steps to the cold palace. “Something feels off,” she murmured to Elric. He looked at her.
“What do you mean?” he questioned and stopped. She shrugged.
“It is hard to put into words. There is just a…feeling I have,” she replied, her brows furrowed.
“I’m sure it is just from the last time that we were here,” he said consolingly.
“I’m sure you’re right,” she said, sounding unconvinced.
“Come now! We will get through a few days here, be married, and leave. We will forge a new life at Avolire and leave this mess to the vipers known as my sisters-in-law,” he said and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, towing her forward.
The instant the door swung open, Saffron knew that there was something wrong. There was an emptiness to the castle that hadn’t been there before. She could tell that Elric sensed it too; his primal instincts had kicked in. She saw him sniff the air slightly.
“Strange,” he murmured. “Let’s see if we can find my father.” He clasped her hand tightly, the other hovering near the hilt of his sword.
“Your father is expecting you,” a familiar voice called out. Saffron looked up and there stood Verita at the top of the grand staircase, as grim as ever.
“Is everything alright? Where is everyone?” Elric demanded.
“They have been released from service. Queen’s orders. Your father and brothers are in the throne room,” she replied dryly and stared at them as they passed her.
“Elric, I don’t have a good feeling about this,” Saffron whispered, her skin tingling with the feeling of unseen eyes upon her.
“It is rather strange,” he replied, his hand now gripping the pommel of his sword. They slowed their steps as they approached the doors to the throne room. The room seemed colder than before. Saffron noticed that no fire burned in the hearth despite the chilly winds raging outside. The king and queen sat on their thrones, the princes and their wives sat on either side.
Kingsley met her gaze, an unreadable expression in his eyes. He motioned towards the door nearly imperceptibly. She wasn’t sure what he was trying to tell her. She averted her gaze. She wanted nothing to do with the scheming young prince.
The king and queen watched Saffron and Elric approach. The princes and their wives were also quiet. The tension in the room grew thicker as Ishild glared at Saffron. The venom in her eyes made Saffron falter and she felt Elric’s grip tighten on her hand.
They both bowed in front of the royal couple. Saffron was afraid to take her eyes off of Ishild, lest a blade kissed the back of her neck. No steel touched her flesh and they rose. “Son, Saffron,” the King began, his eyes dark and unreadable.
“Father,” Elric replied, his voice tense.
“It seems we have something rather…pressing to discuss.” He stared down at his son, his gaze unwavering.
“I would wager we do,” Elric retorted. The king steepled his fingers and contemplated the son before him.
“How long have you been able to…” he waved his hand along the length of Elric’s body. Elric’s face burned under the scrutiny.
“Since I can remember,” he said, plainly. Saffron could feel the tenseness radiating from his body, his heat rising as well. She worried he would shift at any provocation. She placed her hand on his forearm, in warning. Her eyes met Ishild’s, which were now gleaming with interest.
“There can be nothing done?” Elric’s eyes hardened with shame as his father’s words crashed over him, echoing that he was something to be fixed.
“There is nothing to be fixed,” Elric growled. His father snorted.
“So instead of telling me of this when you were younger, you keep a great secret. You decide the best moment to reveal this is in battle with our enemies to the north!” the king retorted, incredulous.
“They had their own dragon! Had I not shifted our men would have been slaughtered!” Elric’s voice began to rise, his fists clenched.
“Hmm.” The king grunted noncommittedly.
“You know dear, a dragon would be quite an asset to our army,” Ishild said quietly, her voice whispering across the room. The king turned a curious glance at her.
“Udril had to create a dragon, whereas we have one here to do our bidding.” She continued, her cold face impassive as she glanced at Elric.
“I will not use my son as a pawn,” the king growled back at her, the first spark of emotion showing in his voice. She smirked.
“Please, he has been nothing but a pawn since his lowly bitch of a mother died,” she said with a chilly laugh. Saffron gripped Elric’s arm tightly, warning him to stay. The king glowered at his wife.
“How dare you!” he hissed and stood, his hand reaching for the blade at his waist. She looked amused with him. The other princes began to stir uncertainly, some standing.
“Hold them,” she said to Kingsley, who nodded once. A small black orb appeared in the palm of his hand. It began to spin slowly and then faster and faster as it grew larger, his hands manipulating the sphere. With a flick of the wrist, he threw it towards the table. It wrapped around the princes and their wives, binding them within the blackness. They screamed and fought, but it held tightly. The scent of sulfur burned in the air.
“Dark magic!” the king yelled, his sword now drawn. Ishild stood, seeming to tower over him.
“Well, of course, darling. My useless mother didn’t leave me completely helpless when she dumped me on the doorstep of Avolire all of those years ago,” she said sweetly, tendrils of black smoke churning through her eyes.