Secret of the Snow Queen (Fire and Ice Book #1) *GOING THROUGH EDITS*

CH. 19 Fractures, Rifts, and Reconciliation

                                                                               Aurora

As Luca's guards surrounded us, tension thick in the air, Kelvin and I dismounted the horse at Luca's command. My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of fear and uncertainty swirling within me as I faced Luca's wrath.

With a steely grip, Luca seized Kelvin by his shirt, his voice laced with anger and frustration. "I told you to find her and bring her home, not to take her farther away from safety!" His eyes were wild, and his face contorted with rage.

Kelvin's jaw tensed as he met Luca's gaze, his own expression a mix of defiance and remorse. "I was only trying to protect her," he protested, his voice tight with emotion. "We couldn't just stand by and do nothing while the Snow Queen's power grew stronger."

Their exchange crackled with tension, each word a testament to the complex web of emotions that bound us together. I watched silently, my heart heavy with guilt and uncertainty, knowing that I was the cause of this rift between them.

But as the confrontation unfolded, I noticed something strange amidst the chaos. Willow, Juleljus, Juljá, and the rest of our group stood among Luca's men, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern. It was a jarring sight, seeing familiar faces amidst the sea of unfamiliar soldiers, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of relief at the sight of them.

"Willow?" I called out, my voice trembling with emotion. "What's going on? Why are you here with Luca's men?" Willow's eyes met mine, her expression grave as she stepped forward to address me.

"We were captured by Luca's guards while we were searching for you," she explained, her voice low and urgent. "They've been holding us prisoner, waiting for Luca to return with you." My heart sank at her words, a knot of guilt tightening in my chest. I had led my friends into danger, putting their lives at risk in my reckless pursuit of the Snow Queen.

As Luca pinned Kelvin against the tree, my heart pounded in my chest, a whirlwind of fear and desperation swirling within me. His words cut through the air like a knife.

"I have half a mind to kill you for tarnishing her name!" But before Luca could act on his threats, I found myself standing between the two men, my body trembling with a mixture of fear and defiance.

"Aurora, this is none of your concern; get out of my way," Luca demanded, his voice laced with anger and frustration. I shook my head, tears streaming down my cheeks as I struggled to find the right words to defend Kelvin.

"He hasn't done anything wrong," I insisted, my voice barely above a whisper. "All he's done is do right by me." My words seemed to hang in the air, a fragile plea for understanding amidst the chaos and uncertainty. I recounted the countless times Kelvin had come to my aid, his unwavering loyalty and selflessness.

"He disobeyed my orders; you disobeyed my orders!" Luca's roar echoed across the snowy valley.

"He saved my life three months ago," I continued, my voice trembling with emotion. "He believed me when no one else did. He helped me find Willow. When the wolves attacked us, he saved my life at the risk of his own. He was going to let himself die for me!"

Tears blurred my vision as I spoke, the weight of my words heavy upon my heart. "He's my best friend," I confessed, my voice cracking with emotion. "He's my only true friend. There is nothing more between us than that. Leave him alone."

"Get out of my way," he growled, his voice low and menacing. Luca's resolve remained unyielding, his anger simmering beneath the surface as he glared at me with accusing eyes.