Thrones of Glamour and Ice

Chapter 1

        I ran. As fast as my tired legs were capable of carrying me, I ran. Bitter tendrils nipped at the nape of my neck and tugged at the back of my jacket. Incessant and persistent like a puppy starved for love, licking at me as I went, tripping my heels as I raced. My breath came out as cloudy puffs in the now freezing air where late summer heat should have been.

        A fire colored oak crested over the rest of the trees, growing larger with my approach. My feet pounded against the dirt. Almost there. My chest was on fire and the tears brought on by the sting of winter air glittered frozen on my skin; shining promises of more to come. I ran on. So close. If I can just reach him—

         There was a tug at my feet, and I stumbled. Time seemed to slow as the ground surged up to meet my body and I collided with a dull thud, the air rushing out of my lungs. I lay on the ground gasping and coughing, willing my body to inhale and exhale. Pale wisps of glowing, glacial air slithered through the descending dusk, icy tendrils tugging at my clothing and burning my skin where it hovered. I press my cheek to the earth and let out a ragged scream, sending a prayer to whatever god or goddess will hear me.

         I don't want to die.

        The power controlling the magic-induced cold pulse with mirth. Bastard. A white limb snaked its way up to my face and my breath billowed out in a thick cloud. My eyes close and I braced for the burn of ice searing its way to my core.

         For a few gut-wrenching moments, nothing happened. I cracked an eye open. A wall of fire surrounded me and I struggled to my knees, folding my arms around my aching chest.

         "Damien! Let me though!" I cringe as my voice cracks at the end, hoarse from running in the frigid air.

         A small breach appeared in front of me and I darted through. Damien stood a few steps outside the flames, his midnight hair ruffled by fire-summoned winds and his normally yellow eyes clouded with a white fire. He smiled as I bolted by. He won't be able to buy me much time, but I'll take whatever I can get; some is better than none at all. The fire flickered and I dashed towards the tall tree, unique in its flurry of blazing autumn colors where others stood bright, lush and green.

         I manage to keep my footing this time, reaching the dense brush wall surrounding the tree and the cottage that sat beside it. I braced my arms in front of my face and smashed through a wall of leafy foliage, scattering wildlife everywhere. Breathless and haggard, I stepped over the stone circle surrounding the fire oak, automatically tracing an invisible sigil into the air with one finger. The defensive magic surrounding the tree ebbed away as it accepted my passing.

        I slowed to a walk and inhaled deeply, basking in the simple sensation of air in my lungs. I combed my fingers through my snowy white hair, extracting twigs and leaves as I walked.

         "Wynter, if you don't do something about him, he's going to kill you, sooner more likely than later." 

         I dismissed his remark with a wave of my hand as he stepped through the gap I left in the shrubbery. I made my way over to the tree and turned around, dropping to the lush carpet of greenery and leaning against the trunk.

         "I know, I know. What is it you want me to do exactly? Again, feel free to enlighten me at any time; I'm still waiting for a solution. If you could miraculously manifest extra demon powers for me in the meantime that would be great."

         He shrugged and I closed my eyes, not wanting to watch parts of the leaves on nearby bushes crystallize and turn to ice. His icy expansions would be waiting out there for hours, searching for me until they investigated the entire barrier encircling the tree. Several of the nearby animals took flight away from the tangible mist while a few others jumped into the circle of protection offered by the fiery demon.

         Damien dropped down to the ground beside me and leaned back against the tree.

         "Do you want me to tell your mother you'll be staying late?" he asked and shook my head.

         "I already told her I was coming to visit. She sends her greetings"

         Seems like every time I leave the house recently, I'm running to someone who can protect me. I sighed and leaned my head back against the tree, letting its warm, rhythmic pulse soothe me. I hated being powerless.

         "I talked to Rhiannon yesterday." Damien said quietly. A hard knot took hold in my stomach and my eyes snapped open.

         "What?"

         "Look, I know you don't like her, and she did try to kill you once—"

         "Twice"

         "—but she is a powerful witch with sound advice. She agrees with me by the way."

         "Are you sleeping with her again?"

         He was silent for a few moments. That was the only affirmation I needed.

        "The only time you bring up this particular remedy is when you two are hooking up. I told you before, I won't do it. The price is too high!" I said, shaking my head. "How could you even consider it? My soul for power? No."

         I leaned forward, putting my elbows on my knees and took a stray lock of blue hair which had fallen over my shoulder and started to chew.

         "It's that or you eventually die, killed by your own family. I can't be there to protect you as much as I want too."  The grass rustled as he shifted places and I felt his body lean into mine "As much as I need to."

         He covered my hand with his and I dropped the lock from my mouth, looking away. I hated it when he pulled this shit. My stomach felt like a thousand hummingbirds trying to escape and the feel of his skin clouded my judgment. He knew there would be dire consequences if my father found out.

         "I would never let anyone hurt you, but I have my limits and your brother happens to be one of them. I don't think I'd be able to overpower him one on one. The sooner we can find you power, the safer you'll be." His hand still covered mine as he leaned closer, his body pressing against my shoulder.

         "Wynter," he breathed and the hair on the back of my neck prickled. "Just one more time."

         He leaned his head towards mine and the humming birds exploded, igniting a fire between my legs. I inhaled shakily and withdrew my hand, letting the blue lock fall into place.

         "No Damien," I said and hastily rose to my feet, letting his hands slide away from me and the heat cool. "You do this every single time it doesn't work out with a girl. Stop it; have some respect for me."

         I looked down at him, at his hurt and angry golden eyes.

         "Then why do you come here? What do you want from me Wynter?"  

         "I thought it was for protection. You know, with you being my personal bodyguard and all. I guess I'm mistaken. Am I asking too much to have at least one person that doesn't want something from me? My life, my soul, my body, my future"—I ticked them off on my fingers—"not to mention maybe wanting someone to talk to? Someone I trust? Is that really too much?" My voice had risen and I was now shouting. Damien sat dumbfounded.

         I pursed my lips. I hadn't meant to blow up at him. "Damien. 'Us' just doesn't work. My father made that perfectly clear the first time, no matter how we feel."

         I looked over at the cottage. More moss and lichen covered the stone and mortar frame than it had before the summer rains and its thatched roof shone a dull shade of wheat. The small kitchen woodstove gleamed through one of the windows and reached my hand out for Damien.

         "Can we just go have coffee? I can see the bag of beans mother got you sitting on the table. She'll kill you if you don't use them." I smiled at him, and he rolled his eyes, taking my hand.

         "No, she would only kill me if I made a terrible cup of coffee with them," he replied and we walked to the cabin.