The Aether

The carriage flew for a day and a half, and landed at the edge of an icy tundra. From above, I could see into the frozen sea. Patches of dark water and slush gave way to the white shore that stretched for miles upon miles into the distance.

Queen Sorcha sighed and shook her head as we waited for Harold to open the door.

When the carriage doors were opened, snow flurries attacked us. The chill shocked my skin once the first snow flake landed on the tip of my nose. Still, more flakes flew onto my face, dusting me until the door was covered in the powder.

Harold’s black beard was covered in snow, and his dark eyes glanced at me before quickly looking away.

It was then that I noticed that he was neither human nor faerie. The horns curling from his forehead were indicative of a feren, a creature from the north of Ever Frost where the giants dwelled. The bitter air didn’t seem to bother him. On the contrary, it was said that the cold only made them stronger.

Still, he didn’t speak. He simply stepped aside and made way for Queen Sorcha as she left the carriage and stood on the icy ground.

I was a wary. Though I’d changed into traveling clothes in the back of the carriage, I wasn’t ready to endure the storm raging outside.

In leather pants more supple than any material I could recall wearing, and a cream-colored tunic with a belt and my heavy cloak and boots, I prepared myself and leaped down with a crunch of ice.

Kala followed suit and stood beside me, her eyes gazing at the dull, gray sky, and then to the outstretched frozen sea before us. It was different from what I’d imagined. The sea was frozen in some spots but a slushy consistency in others. Green and blue lights danced across the sky just above the sea. It was magical to behold, but I knew what lay ahead.

The Veil between the living and the dead. I shuddered at the thought that in just moments we’d be crossing that invisible boundary.

At the edge was a narrow black ship, with several men on deck and on shore. Though slim, it was tall, with the royal crest of Allandria on its black sails. A white dragon curled around a sword.

The Royal Guard. I swallowed and tried to get a better look. They were too far to truly make out any details, but I was looking for someone in particular.

Prince Ewan.

I’d heard his call many times. It was like an itch in my chest that I couldn’t scratch. His power reached out to mine and some nights I’d weep with frustration that I couldn’t reach back.

The Crimson Tower was enchanted. It muted my power and left me defenseless. Now, I was free.

“Just a short walk,” Queen Sorcha said, lowering the hood of her cloak over her vibrant red hair. “And, off we go.”

I did the same, pulling my hood down and tightening it at my throat. It worked at shielding my face from the tiny particles of ice that blowed at my face.

Harold unhooked the horses from the carriage and led them to us.

“You can ride with me,” she said as Harold helped her up into the saddle.

I continued to search for Ewan even as I hopped onto the back of the horse behind her. I wrapped my arms around her tiny waist and held tight, still with my eyes fixed on the men in the horizon.

The thumping of my heart in my chest was so loud that I could barely hear the howling of the wind and crunch of snow as we began a slow trot away from the carriage.

Every moment that we drew closer to the ship was agonizing. I could feel his heat and smell him before I even got a look at his face. I wondered what he would look like. Would he be as handsome as I’d dreamed? In my mind, each elemental was a perfect representation of what I deemed attractive.

Bright green eyes. Taller than most of the soldiers behind him with broad shoulders and a square jaw. Black hair with hints of silver at his temples.

I realized I didn’t have much to go on. I hadn’t seen many men in my life. Just the guards at the tower and they all had a sullen, dirty look about them.

Under guard, Kala and I were allowed to walk the outer gardens of the tower twice a day, and occasionally I would catch a glimpse of the other prisoners. They were always kept away from me, in another area, but I would spy on them from time to time, astride Kala’s back and peering over the walls of shrubbery.

No one ever seemed particularly pleasing to the eye, and no one ever spoke to me. Even the prisoners were afraid to fraternize with a witch.

Eagles soared above, searching for food, and finding nothing but white as far as the eye could see. I looked over my shoulder and caught the faintest of a glimpse of the dark forest we’d left behind.

A shriek escaped my lips as a blast of heat filled my core and rippled through my entire body. My jaw dropped and Queen Sorcha glanced back at me.

“Well, looks like Prince Ewan is excited to see you.”

Prince Ewan manipulated the storm-wind, for me. It lifted my hair and brushed my face, gently, almost as if he touched me with his own hands. It was then that I realized I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but couldn’t wait to find out.

White trails of powdery snow coiled and danced along the wind in an unnatural display.

Magic.

I sat up tall and looked down at my gloved hands. Even through the leather, I could see that they were glowing, as was the rest of my body. A smile came to my face, and I touched my cheek. I hadn’t expected to actually be excited about meeting a stranger.

Excitement was an understatement.