The Ice Queen "Actions Beget Consequences" - Ch. 11 (Patreon)

Neytiri

Actions beget consequences.

In the past, my father constantly said these words to my brothers. Of course, they never held them in high regard and as a result I never did either. The consequences of their actions was always laughter and joy. Now, the consequences of their actions have trickled down over centuries to where I am now. And as a result of the bloody history, my actions have cost me my freedom.

More of Cassian’s men take suitcases and boxes of files to the waiting car in the drive. We’re leaving the island. And unlike last time, I have no choice. I have injured Cassian far too many times. And now, I must accept the consequences of my actions. As my brothers never did. My gaze shifts to the window where I can see Cassian speaking with Ulric. He has a stern look on his face, one that I haven’t seen since awakening.

My gaze shifts to my hands. It’s been two days since my attack and I’ve barely seen Cassian since. When I awoke, he was healed but when I started to apologize he was dismissive saying that it was nothing to worry about. And now two days later, we are leaving the island without so much as a discussion. But this isn’t something I can fight. Not when I caused it. I must face the consequences of my actions.

It was terrifying not knowing what triggered my power or how to control it. Seeing Cassian lying there unconscious was also a shocking reminder of how dangerous I am. I thought I could control myself and learn to be a part of this world without his interference, but I was arrogant.

I look up as the front door is opened and Cassian enters. He’s dressed in modern clothing that fit his frame perfectly, adding to his intimidating size. His dark gaze roams the entry area for a second before landing on me. His stoic features soften when he sees me, a smile forming on his lips.

“The jet is ready.”

I silently follow Cassian to the car, my gaze falling over the front of the estate. I take in the snow covered statues and water fountain in the center. I will miss this place immensely. I know that wherever Cassian is taking me will not be the same temperature. It will be warm; a way he can keep me weak without having to constantly monitor me.

Cassian holds the door open for me and I sink into the car, taking in the interior in awe. I have yet to see one in person. Everything I’ve learned about these things I’ve seen in the history Caius showed me. They now replace horses and according to the books they can go faster than a horse for much longer. Cassian slides into the seat next to me placing his hand on the wheel as he presses buttons, and the contraption lurches forward carrying us away from the estate.

As we move down the drive, I slowly turn to take in the estate. The snow has begun to fall again, covering the top of the large house.

“It’s not forever, we will return while the snow is still here. I promise.”

I sink back into my seat looking at Cassian. He has a lax expression even though he is sitting next to the Ikniri that could snap at any moment, injuring him further. I guess Caius is right. He has changed.

The trip to the airstrip is quiet and takes about twenty minutes. Cassian allowed me the silence to take in the surrounding forests on this island we now call home. It’s as beautiful as the estate. I hope he meant it when he said we would be returning. There’s so much of this place I would love to explore, including my own village.

We pass through the gate where the large metal machine waits for its passengers. Cassian pulls up to the jet and I see Ulric standing near the door waiting for his king. As Cassian gets out of the car, Ulric’s gaze shifts to me, his gaze void of emotion. But I know how he feels about me. He hates every decision Cassian makes when it comes to me.

Ulric’s attention is pulled as Cassian approaches and begin speaking to him. My usual heightened hearing is dulled by the bond Cassian has control of, so I haven’t the slightest clue what they could be saying. Ulric’s body language, however, gives away that he is not pleased with the direction of the conversation.

Cassian finally steps away from him, making his way to my door. He gently pulls it open with a cautious gaze holding his hand out to me.

“We’re ready.”

I eye his hand for a moment feeling uncertainty course through me. I’m about to willingly get on this plane to an unknown destination to be completely at Cassian’s mercy.

“Neytiri.”

Cassian’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts and when I look into his dark gaze, my heart skips a beat slightly. But I fight my feelings placing my hand in his to get out of the car. I take note that his hand is abnormally warm; a stark reminder of just how different we are.

As we walk to the stairs of the jet, I look around at the surrounding people that have come to see us off. I recognize most as Cassian’s men and people. But I also recognize my doctor who is watching me with a gentle smile. I visit her weekly to keep track of my vitals. She rarely speaks to me, but I can see the fascination in her gaze as she watches me.

“Is Caius still on the mainland?”

As I look at Cassian, I immediately notice the anger in his expression but he covers it swiftly.

“Yes.”

“Does he know we’re leaving?”

I can tell I’m pushing Cassian’s buttons by the way the muscle in his jaw begins working, but he answers nonetheless.

“Yes. He will not be joining us. It will be you and I, alone.”

My footsteps falter and Cassian stops just ahead of me, turning to face me. He towers over me not only in height but in muscular build.

“Just us?” I ask.

Cassian lets out a bitter laugh, his gaze roaming before landing on me.

“Do you still fear me after all of this? I am not the one that brok-”

He catches himself, studying my expression. He once again fights with himself to regain control.

“I am your husband, Neytiri. Not Caius.”

My eyes widen slightly. His words hold heavy weight behind them and he’s right. I cling to Caius as my safety and security. Just by bringing up his name I place Cassian in a rage that he seems to be grappling with to control. My gaze shifts to the jet and Cassian releases a resounding sigh.

“You can either walk aboard that jet of your own free will, or you can wake up in our new destination.”

I feel him stepping closer behind me, the heat of his body giving off a threat I can feel. I slowly turn to face him, looking in his eyes. Discomfort courses through me as I take him in.

He’s smiling.

“What will it be?”

His smile is cunning and reveals his dimple. This is the Cassian I knew before my slumber. The king that gives commands and expects them to be followed. And so far, I have been testing him and pushing him, but it seems that with my last statement, his patience has run thin.

So, I make my way up the steps followed by my husband.

* * * * *

Humans have imitated everything that once set us apart. Including flying. But Cassian doesn’t seem to mind as he sits across from me, his gaze focused on the portable computer on the table.

My gaze shifts beyond the window. We are above the clouds. Only the dragonborn ever flew this high. And now, humans are able to. I’m pulled out of my thoughts as the flight attendant comes by placing a glass on the table between us. Cassian doesn’t look up as he grabs the glass, bringing the liquid to his lips.

He looks natural in this world. He has accepted it for what it is and has become a working part of it. I hate being in this machine, and I hate flying. Modern science says there is no reason this heavy invention shouldn’t fly. But my ancient logic has yet to make sense of that. It makes me uneasy, yet Cassian is completely at ease.

“Is there a reason for that look?”

Cassian’s eyes are still focused on his screen, but they slowly lift to meet mine as he takes another sip of his drink.

“This world suits you.”

His expression shifts to one of shock and he leans back in his seat.

“Oh?”

“You seem so at ease and natural with all of this. None of it is foreign to you.”

Cassian’s expression shifts to one of concern as he takes in my words. He closes his laptop giving me his full attention.

“I’ve been a part of the world’s advancements for centuries.”

I look around the cabin of the plane as I speak.

“Does it ever bother you? How the humans have adapted their way of life to mimic our own?” I ask.

Cassian laughs softly.

“No. Humans are not my concern.”

“I spent my entire life frightened because of them. Because they did not understand what I was. My people fought wars for them. They helped them thrive when they were on the verge of dying. And now, their descendants take our culture as if it is meaningless. And here we are back in hiding as if we mean nothing,” I say bitterly.

I tense when I feel Cassian’s hand closing around mine.

“It must come off as shocking to you. The difference is night and day. But it has taken them centuries to get to where they are. Our existence became a myth centuries ago. We failed them as Ancients, and this is the consequence. Now, we must take care of our own. Humanity is nothing more than a child bumbling around just wanting to be heard in this world.”

I take in Cassian’s words hesitantly. They are different than what he once believed. He once believed that this was his world. And everyone else lived in it. But now he acts as if this is our punishment for turning on one another and neglecting our duty as Ancients. And he doesn’t seem to plan on fighting it. I gently pull my hand out of his grasp.

“I don’t want to learn to fit into their society. I did that my entire life.”

Cassian watches me intensely before responding.

“We don’t have that option. We have to think of our people first.”

My gaze shifts to the window once again. The sky is growing darker, even up here as we fly to our destination.

“Do you miss it? Flying?” I ask.

“Of course.”

Cassian looks out the window as well, his gaze growing distant.

“I miss my home, my family… I miss the floating mountains.”

There’s a wave of sadness in his tone that makes my heart ache. I look away from the window, focusing on him.

“But I missed these things long before you and I met. I guess I’ve had longer to get accustomed to life without it.”

He smiles, but it’s a sad one. And I once again feel guilt eating at me for what my family did to his. And what my people did to his as well. And he relived that when his men betrayed him to join me. His loss has been constant, and he feels that the way he lives everyday with the ache of that loss is his punishment.

“Do you ever regret it?” I ask watching him carefully.

“Regret what?”

“Killing them. My people.”

Cassian’s expression instantly shifts, making it difficult to read. But after thinking for a moment, he responds.

“I regret that you survived.”

I’m taken aback by his response, suddenly feeling anxious.

“What?”

“If you had died along with them, none of the pain you felt over the years would have be possible. And since I’ve grown to care for you, I hate seeing you in so much pain.”

Cassian’s expression darkens as he studies me.

“But I’ll never regret what I did to them, Neytiri. An eye for an eye.”

Old hatred forms in my chest as his words hang in the air.

“Then why marry me? Why keep me around?”

Cassian laughs softly.

“Do you really want to go there? Now? When we’re in a plane thirty-thousand feet above the ground and you can’t control yourself at the mention of our past?”

I let out a bitter laugh, my frustrations fueling me.

“And whose fault is it that I am this way? Who took me in knowing exactly who I was and manipulated me all the way to the end? Who killed me for the sake of his own revenge? Who forced this oath on me?” I growl out.

Cassian’s gaze narrows. He inhales slowly, standing from his seat. His eyes are downcast until he is fully standing, and when those dark irises meet mine, a heavy weight bares down on me, suffocating me. I tremble as a wave of heat washes over me, clawing at my flesh. I feel like I am on fire. The cabin of the plane drops away and I am enveloped by darkness until the only thing I can see are Cassian’s dark, brimstone eyes in front of me. A scream claws its way up my throat, but I can’t release it. I can’t move. I can’t use my power, I can’t do anything. I am trapped.

As swiftly as the vision begins, it ends.

Cassian stands over my trembling form in silence. He watches me with a terrifying expression as he speaks.

“If you want to live in the past, we can live in the past. But that is what awaits you. That is the reason I forced a blood oath on you. I wanted to control every fiber of your being and have no pushback from what I thought was the last Ikniri. The last one of royal blood that holds the power you do, the only thing standing between me and my revenge.”

Silence encompasses us, but my heavy breathing fills the air. A light sheen of sweat has begun to form over my skin as I take in my natural born enemy. I don’t know what to say. So, I look away with tears in my eyes.

Cassian keeps his distance for the rest of the flight. And even when we finally land on our destination, he doesn’t speak to me. He exits the plane speaking with someone who is waiting on the strip with a car.

A bitter laugh escapes me as I exit the plane.

The sun is setting in the distance, but the heat is prominent. This is nothing like Brineau. It is the complete opposite, which is what Cassian’s plan was all along. The distant sound of waves crashing fills the silence. We’re on an island. Just being in the afternoon sun has me feeling weak. It drains my energy naturally.

My gaze shifts to Cassian. He’s watching me silently, waiting for my reaction. His gaze is calculating as he patiently waits. He makes his way to the passenger side of the car, pulling the door open as he watches me. He doesn’t have to voice his command.

I force my legs to move, taking me to the waiting car. And to my shock, Cassian smiles. It isn’t a comforting smile. It is a knowing one. We both know I have no choice. I also have no options. I am completely at his mercy, following his whims until he feels I am ready. That is what it is to be a king. To have your commands followed and heard with a single motion. And that is who I married.

“Now, let’s start over, shall we?”