The grand Baroque doors swung open, their stone-like surface shimmering with countless colors. A cool rush of air swept through, tousling my hair with the scent of fresh snow and sweet flowers. I had imagined some sort of formal gathering-a stately dinner perhaps, filled with powder-blue gowns and aloof royals.
Instead, the sight that greeted me was something out of a dream. Crystallized orbs of ice hung suspended, radiating pure light, while the entire ballroom appeared carved from crystal and diamond. Ethereal-looking Fae filled the room, their beauty otherworldly.
As we stepped inside, the room hushed, and I felt the weight of at least a dozen eyes on me-some cold, others heated. I had no doubt many of them harbored the same disdain as Marinella, though I clung to the hope that a few shared Andrea’s open-mindedness.
The High Lady’s gaze settled on my face, an icy presence washing over me as if standing beside her meant braving a winter storm. Her hair was elegantly twisted up, adorned with white diamonds and pearls like tiny snowflakes. A crown of crystal, woven from the same iridescent metal as the castle’s architecture, graced her head. Leonardo’s eyes mirrored her own-light and piercing, like the jewels that decorated the ballroom. Her smile was distant, not unkind but lacking warmth.
“This is the girl,” she said, her voice conveying her age-a blend of softness and sharpness. She pronounced my name, not as a question, but as a statement, directed at her son, my true mate.
“This is Isabella,” Leonardo clarified, his tone refreshingly cool. Even among his family, he had my back. “Seeing as your ward took it upon herself to kidnap her, you should be grateful this meeting is happening at all.”
“Is this how you plan to act with family? Disappointing, but I’ll allow it this once.” The High Lady of Water regarded him sternly, though smaller than him, her presence was far more powerful.
A chill prickled along my arms, the cold seeping through my sleeves and numbing my fingers. The High Lady never broke eye contact with Leonardo, nor did she falter under the power she wielded.
“And is this how you treat my true mate?” Leonardo’s reply was as frosty as hers, his lips thinning into a line. “You dishonor your court, High Lady.”
That, it seemed, was the wrong thing to say.
The castle walls groaned as a gust of winter air blasted through the ballroom. Uncertain of exactly what I was doing, I reached inside, tapping into the fire that simmered beneath my skin. I wanted warmth, a way to counter her chill without crossing any boundaries. Threads of fire magic danced around me, weaving in vibrant, protective ribbons that pushed the cold away.
A deafening crack resounded through the room, and a red-white haze clouded my vision. It took a few seconds to realize that the floor hadn’t split; the thick sheets of ice that covered it had shattered. The High Lady stood a few feet away, her face an unreadable mixture of anger and satisfaction. I realized then-she had been testing me, seeking proof of my control over my power, and I had handed it to her.
“Relax, kitten,” Leonardo murmured, instantly by my side. His arm wrapped around my waist, icy against my skin. “If you torch this castle, they’ll be reluctant to let us leave.”
“Was she trying to freeze me into a statue?” I grumbled, attempting to let the fire in me simmer down to a manageable warmth. “Fae or not, that was bitterly cold.”
“Power displays are her way of setting boundaries,” he replied, his tone softened with a trace of amusement. “And you’ve held your ground.”
But before he could say more, the High Lady approached, having been whispering with Isotta and Marinella on the sidelines. I glared, bracing myself as I gathered my courage. “Need another demonstration, or are we finished here?”
“On the contrary,” she replied, smooth and unbothered, “you’ll remain my guests for a little while longer.” Her youthful face belied a chilling authority. “Whispers about you have spread across realms-thief or savior? I make my own judgments, not relying on the word of other High Lords. Many are as power-hungry as they are ancient. You’ll stay here until I reach my own conclusion. My guards will see to your needs, but make no mistake-this is not generosity. Should you prove a threat, I will drain every ounce of power from your veins.”
A low growl sounded from Leonardo, and I noticed five guards inch closer, their wary eyes fixed on him like they were handling a wild beast. I squeezed his hand tightly, silently urging him to stand down. “We’ll stay until you decide,” I replied, forcing myself to sound calm.
The High Lady tutted with faint approval. “Perhaps there’s hope for you yet.” Her dark hair caught the ballroom’s light as she turned away, tossing over her shoulder, “Enjoy the party.”
“She’s dreadful,” I muttered, clapping a hand over my mouth as the words slipped out.
“She is,” Leonardo chuckled, cupping my face. His lips halted just shy of mine as someone nearby caught his attention. “But there are a couple of not-so-dreadful ones I’d like you to meet.”
With a protective arm around my waist, he led me through the crowd. The ballroom was filled with exquisitely dressed Fae, clad in form-fitting outfits that rivaled the most lavish fashion shows. Dresses shimmered like liquid ice, accentuating skin of all shades, revealing the sides of hips and shoulders with stunning elegance. Once the High Lady’s chill faded, the room felt warm, almost cozy.
By a table filled with colorful drinks and pastries, two young girls stood chatting. The elder, around fifteen, looked down with exasperation at her younger sister, who couldn’t be more than six. Both shared the High Lady’s pale hair, but the younger hair was white and had startling sapphire eyes that sparkled with a wisdom far beyond her years.
“Sometimes,” the younger one, Noemi, giggled, “Graziana actually listens to me.”
“You’re just a kid, Emi,” Graziana retorted, rolling her eyes.
“But I’m always right!” Noemi grinned, sticking her tongue out.
I reached for a goblet filled with a sparkling clear liquid, but before I could sip, Graziana eyed me. “I wouldn’t drink that,” she cautioned. “Fae wine is potent. Isotta would love to see you humiliate yourself.”
“Good advice, thanks,” I said, setting the glass down. Noemi, the youngest, prodded at a little cake, freezing it with a tap of her finger, while Graziana rolled her eyes in disapproval.
“Graziana, Noemi,” Leonardo introduced them. Noemi gave me a dimpled smile, while Graziana watched warily. “This is Isabella, my true mate.”
“Don’t mind Graziana, she worries too much,” Noemi teased, eyes bright with intelligence beyond her age. “You know Isabella wouldn’t hurt us.”
“You put too much faith in the bond,” Graziana scolded her, unfazed.
“You’re sounding more like Mother every day,” Noemi huffed, freezing another pastry with a mischievous smile.
“I am not,” Graziana snapped, offended.
“Do you two ever get along?” Leonardo asked, amused, setting his drink down.
Noemi shot me a grin, her eyes bright and confident, somehow both innocent and wise. “I wouldn’t eat here-not with Isotta and Marinella around.” She leaned closer, her voice low. “My cook will test your food before it’s brought to your room.”
Graziana hissed quietly, “Emi, why do you say these things?”
“You said almost the same thing, Graziana!” Noemi shot back, arms crossed.
“Saying they want her to make a fool of herself isn’t the same as accusing them of murder,” Graziana muttered, still looking skeptical. But as I met Noemi’s intense blue eyes, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was truth there, knowledge far deeper than her years.
“Believe what you want, Graziana,” Noemi said with a knowing smile. “You’ll see I’m right. I always am.”