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

CH. 24 The Tides of Morality

                                                                                Kelvin

As we descended into the dungeons, the oppressive atmosphere seemed to press in on us from all sides. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the flickering torchlight cast long, ominous shadows along the cold stone walls. Every step we took echoed through the dim corridor, a grim reminder of the dire circumstances that awaited us.

Dimitri led us to a set of heavy iron bars, their rusted surface a testament to the countless souls imprisoned within. With a heavy sigh, he unlocked the door, the creaking of hinges echoing through the dank chamber as it swung open.

"Welcome to your new home," Dimitri's voice was tinged with resignation as he gestured for us to enter. I exchanged a glance with Luca, his expression mirroring my own sense of foreboding as we stepped into the dimly lit cell.

The space was small and cramped, the cold stone floor littered with straw and filth. The only furnishings were a pair of rough-hewn cots against the far wall, their threadbare blankets offering little comfort against the chill of the dungeon.

As Dimitri locked the door behind us, the finality of our situation washed over me like a tidal wave. We were prisoners, trapped within the bowels of the castle with no hope of escape. But even in the depths of despair, a glimmer of hope still burned within me. Aurora may have been taken from us, but her spirit lived on in the swirling snowstorm outside. As long as her powers endured, there was still a chance for salvation. I turned to Luca; his face etched with determination despite the grim circumstances.

"We can't give up hope," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "As long as Aurora's powers persist, there's still a chance for us to break free from Morgana's grasp." Luca nodded in silent agreement, his eyes shining with resolve.

"We'll find a way out of here, Kelvin," he declared, his voice steady with determination. "We'll uncover the truth behind Aurora's disappearance and put an end to Morgana's reign of terror once and for all." I took solace in his words, the flicker of hope reigniting within me like a flame in the darkness.

As I settled onto the rough cot, exhaustion washing over me like a tidal wave, I closed my eyes and whispered a silent prayer to the heavens above.

Please let her be alive...

And with that thought echoing in my mind, I surrendered to the embrace of sleep, knowing that no matter how dire our circumstances may seem, hope would always endure, a beacon of light in the darkest of nights.

***

The next morning, as the first rays of dawn filtered through the narrow slit windows of our dungeon cell, we stirred from our slumber to the sound of heavy footsteps echoing down the corridor. With a creak of rusted hinges, the door groaned open, revealing Dimitri standing on the threshold, a tray of food in his hands.

"Good morning," he greeted, his voice gruff yet not unkind. "I brought you some breakfast."

My stomach rumbled at the sight and scent of the food, reminding me of just how long it had been since our last meal. Luca and I exchanged a glance, a mixture of gratitude and wariness evident in our eyes as Dimitri approached, setting the tray down on the rough-hewn table in the corner of the cell.

The meal was simple yet nourishing—a bowl of hearty stew accompanied by a loaf of crusty bread and a jug of water. It wasn't the most appetizing fare, but after days of meager rations, it was a welcome sight indeed.