Meet me in the cellar now.
Thane.
Sia frowned at the little note on the desk. He was just in the middle of his haircut when the note came in. He didn’t know what Thane wanted. Lifting his gaze from the tiny piece of paper, he checked the time. 6 pm. Dinner would have been served by now, but after receiving Thane’s message, he isn’t so sure he would come down for dinner. He didn’t even have lunch, and Crinka was to blame for that.
Sighing, Sia took note of all the hair strands on the ground, his chest tightening. It would grow back, he said to himself.
“Pharix, it’s enough.”
The woman paused. “But my prince, I am not done with the curls.”
“Leave them like that.”
“But your highness…”
He rose gradually and Pharix was forced to step back. Sia looked at himself in the mirror. He didn’t like having so much hair on his face, but it was the least he could do to please Pharix. Let her touch his hair. She seemed to like it anyway, but Crinka loved it better. Maybe more than she loved Ruarc back in the day. His heart beat faster as the thoughts of her came to mind. Crinka. Whatever was he to do with her? She was a force to be reckoned with, that woman, for making him feel all kinds of things he shouldn’t have. And Sia wasn’t going to blame any of their feelings on the bond, because he knew deep down that he felt for her even before the bond. Maybe it was her unique hair color or brazen skin, or the melodious sound of her laughter or the twinkle in her eyes when amused, he didn’t know. All he knew was that he fell for her, even before the bonding.
“There are some gold bars in the bag. Use it to get yourself something nice from the village. I don’t know,” he said and abandoned Pharix to her gritty world.
Pharix stared at the door which the prince had left open. She didn’t want his money. No. All she wanted was to be recognized by him. Be appreciated by him. Was that too much to ask? She knew she wasn’t royalty or any of the concubines but she is an Icelander, and superior to a wolf. Annoyed, she glared at her reflection in the mirror. What did that damn wolf have that she didn’t? Yes, she had a bigger backside compared to Pharix, but people no longer cared about that nowadays. They were all for the chest. Perhaps Sia was different, but she didn’t care. Why would he want to make her his concubine? Wolves weren’t capable of birthing creatures more superior so why……? None of it made sense to her. She would find answers later, but now she needed to clean up this mess.
…..
Crinka paced the iced floors again, her patience wearing thin. Where the fuck was Thane? He had asked her to meet him here a while ago, and now dinner would soon be served and he was yet to show up. She paused, looking around. The royal cellar wasn’t too bad for an underground room. It had eight walls, and each wall was drilled with holes, where different wine bottles were put. The place was vast and grand, with icicles hanging from the iced ceilings. Mila had helped her to find the place. On their way here, Crinka noticed that the palace wasn’t made of one castle alone, but three adjoining castles.
Mila had informed her that the one they had exited was solely for Thjis, his sons, and the queen. The second one was Sia’s but since he hadn’t been staying there for a while, the royal concubines, Ruarc’s wives, and their slaves inhabited it. She was puzzled as to why Sia would have his palace instead of Ruarc, but she didn’t ask questions. The third castle was Eloive’s.
Eloive’s palace was a majestic structure, built entirely out of ice and snow. The palace was divided into four wings: the North Wing, the East Wing, the South Wing, and the West Wing.
The North Wing was the grandest of all, with a towering entrance that leads to a grand hall. The hall was lined with intricate ice sculptures, depicting scenes of the northern wilderness, such as wolves, bears, and reindeer. The ceiling was adorned with a crystal chandelier that sparkled in the light of the torches. This wing also has several grand halls for events, banquets, and gatherings.
The East Wing was the residential area of the palace, where the royal children and their guests reside. The rooms were elegantly decorated with ice furniture, such as ice beds, ice tables, and ice chairs. The walls were adorned with ice carvings of winter landscapes, such as snow-capped mountains and frozen lakes. The windows were made of colored ice, allowing the sunlight to filter in and create a beautiful rainbow effect.
The South Wing was the entertainment area of the palace, with a grand ballroom for dancing, an ice theater for plays and performances, an ice rink for skating, and an ice bar for socializing. The ballroom was the most beautiful one, with a high ceiling, a large dance floor, and a stage for live performances. The ice theater is a stunning piece of architecture, with intricate ice carvings adorning the walls and ceiling.
The West Wing was the palace’s main library, where many books are stored on ice shelves and tables, it also has a grand fireplace that keeps the palace warm. The library is a peaceful and quiet area, perfect for reading and studying. The walls were lined with shelves of books, and there are several reading nooks and tables for studying.
The palace was a breathtaking sight to behold, with its glistening ice walls, sparkling chandeliers, and intricate ice sculptures. It was a true masterpiece of architecture, and it was a symbol of the beauty and majesty of the northern lands. Mila also mentioned that it was also a popular tourist destination, where people come from all over the world to see the magnificent palace and experience the magic of winter. Crinka wondered what the inhabitants of the kingdom did when tourists came over. She would ask Sia later if she ever had the chance. Mila also informed her that Waxlyn and Yale lived there with him. Crinka couldn’t understand why the kids were made to live away from their parents, but she didn’t argue with it. The royal cellar had been beneath the ice bar, and this was where she was alone, waiting for Thane.
Thirty minutes after 6, Crinka feared she would lose it. She was tempted to rip her dress off. The dress was small, a fine beauty but impossible to put on. Mila had tied the corset laces so tight; it was sort of difficult to breathe. Crinka hated the makeup on her face and the heels she had on. She hated the earrings and the bracelets along with the gloves Mila had forced her to wear. And to worsen the situation, her belly was grumbling for food.
Just when she was about to explode with anger, the door clicked open, and a gust of wind blew into the cellar, nearly knocking her off her feet. Slowly she turned and her eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets when she saw him. Snapping out of it, she crossed her arms and glared at him.
“Where’s Thane?”
“I should ask you the same,” Sia responded coolly, looking down at the female before him.
She was stunning. Her bright, fiery hair was styled in loose waves, and she was wearing an off-shoulder dress in a dark rich color. Sia loved how different she looked in a dress. She stands confident and alluring, with one hand resting on her hip and the other on the side of the corset, emphasizing her small waist. The off-shoulder dress showcases her bare shoulders and neck, while the corset draws the eye to her ample bust and hourglass figure. The dress’s fabric shimmers in the light, enhancing the richness of its color and adding to the overall glamour of the look. She completes the outfit with strappy high heels and delicate jewelry, exuding a sensual and sophisticated aura.
The dress is fitted through the bodice and cinches in at the waist with a corset, accentuating her curves. The skirt of the dress flows freely, giving a dramatic and elegant silhouette. The off-shoulder neckline adds a touch of femininity to the look, while the corset provides a touch of drama and sexuality.
“You look…amazing,” he compliments.
Crinka rolls her eyes. “Now is not the time for compliments Sia. Where is your brother? He asked me to meet him here, so where is he?”
Sia frowned. “That’s funny. He also asked me to meet him here.”
It took them a moment to realize that they had been set up by Thane. Crinka turned hastily to the door and cursed when she realized that they had been locked in. She pounded on the door, muttering a string of curses.
“Hey! Open up!”
A laugh could be heard outside. Sia swore as he realized that Thane was laughing at them.
“I will only do so once you’ve been claimed. I left the tattoo gun on the table and I will be back once the deed has been done.”
“Fuck you!”, Crinka screamed at the door. Thane laughed again. Crinka kept pounding on the door and Sia was fed up.
“Stop that.” he murmured. “You will only hurt yourself.”
She paused, facing him haughtily. “This is all your fault!”
Sia blinked. “How is any of this my fault? You are the one who has been dealing with Thane.”
She glared at him. “You’re…” she couldn’t find the words to say. “You… you cut your hair!”
He touched the roughly done curls. “Yeah, I did. And you put on makeup!”
She rolled her eyes again. “Can’t you break down the door or something?”, Crinka asked. She didn’t want to stay here locked up with Sia. “Wanting to get away from me already?”
“Obviously. Look ice boy, I don’t want to be claimed. I hate tattoos, and I certainly don’t want you knowing my every move.”
He frowned. “I won’t be knowing your every move; I’ll just be able to reach you if you’re in danger.”
“Still. Sia, I like you and all, but I don’t want to be claimed. I understand that you want me to be safe and….”
He pressed a hand to her mouth. “Ssh. Just give it a try sweetheart. I promise to be quick.”
She slapped his hand away. “You shouldn’t have done that. Now you’ve got lipstick stain on your lips. Sia, what part of I don’t want to be claimed don’t you understand?”
“Any of it. Just give it a try, baby please.”
He needed her security to be assured. With the vampires making a presence tomorrow, he had to be certain that he could reach her if anything happened.
She took a deep breath. “Fine. But don’t blame me if something happens.”
He led her to the centre of the cellar and helped her to sit on a comfy cushion. Kneeling, he reached for the tattoo gun and ink.
Smiling, he faced her. “You don’t want the eye?”
She nods, trying to ignore the unease in her belly. It’s just a tattoo Crinka, you’ll be fine. But even with all the assurance, her wolf remained restless, totally against the idea.
“So, what do you want?”
To leave. To run to the ends of the earth. She bore holes in the bottle of ink Sia held. Would she be able to survive the claim? Could she pretend that the tattoo gun had no needles? She started to sweat, fingers trembling. She thought she had been over her fear of needles a long time ago, but turns out it had worsened.
“Crinka?”
She stood up. “I’m sorry Sia. I can’t…”
He knelt there confused. “You… you said you would give it a try.”
“I know but… I can’t do this Sia. My wolf would leave me if I do.”
“You can baby, and she won’t leave. Just relax,” he cooed, rising. When he neared her with the gun in hand, she lost it.
Fur burst out on her skin; fingers turned into claws. And before Sia could even register what was happening, she jumped him, sinking her lengthened canines into his neck, claiming him.