The Ice Queen - "Just Us" Ch. 12 (Patreon)

Neytiri

When I was a child, an exceptional group of Ikniri were chosen by my father to go out and help villages in need. When they returned, their stories of the world outside of our own were the height of the village. I recall specifically someone telling me of the lands settled along the sea. They said the entire ocean was filled with salt. It was one of the stories that would bring chills to my arms just to hear of these magnificent places.

And now I stand in the presence of the ocean myself. And just as my people told me, it is magnificent. The villa we’re staying in has foreign stone architecture as part of its structure. In some places, the entire wall is glass. It’s beautiful, adding to my wonder. I’ve only ever seen the huts and castles of my time period. Even upon awakening, I haven’t left Cassian’s estate. And now that I have, I am seeing parts of the world that I never thought possible.

I silently make my way to the window that overlooks the shore. The landscape may be beautiful, but it’s exhausting just being here. Growing up in the forests, the weather was constantly warm and humid. The heat never bothered me until I began to regain my power and memory. In some ways, I’m glad my memory was tampered with. The heat is a constant war on my body. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it’s a constant battle to remain upright. On Brineau the weather was fueling my power. Here, however, it is draining me.

I feel a strange sensation at the back of my mind and I know instinctively it is Cassian through the blood oath we share. I turn away from the window and sure enough, Cassian’s footsteps sound as he makes his way down the stairs. I watch silently as he appears through the arch, his expression unreadable. Just being in his presence makes me shiver in fear. His silent threat on the plane was terrifying. Even more so after the meaning behind his words.

It doesn’t matter what happened in our past. Not anymore.

The blood oath allows him to impose his will on me at any given moment. Unfortunately, I am not powerful enough to do so in return. Not even if he gave me back my power. Cassian is a full-fledged ancient who awakened his power long before we met. I, however, only awakened mine months before my “death”. And even still, it’s a mystery how they kept me alive for so long.

“How are you settling in?”

Cassian watches me cautiously as he approaches and I shrug.

“As best I can in such conditions,” I murmur.

Cassian chuckles stepping past me to take in the scenery.

“I know it’s not ideal, but being so near to your people was beginning to affect you. It’s better if we’re here and your power is weakened.”

Cassian turns to face me, holding his hand out. And although I want to fight him and be stubborn, I know it isn’t in my best interest. Not after what he showed me on the plane. I am his partner. I cannot keep throwing fits and losing control. I gently place my hand in his meeting his gaze.

His hand is warm. Warmer than the average human. I study our grasp intensely taking in the stark contrast of our bodies. My skin against his, my markings compared to his, and my natural body temperature. We are completely opposite in every way. And yet, both of our fathers were considering marriage between us. I was too young to speak to my father about it at the time, but I wonder what his thoughts were. Did they see something that our people had yet to see between our races?

When I look into Cassian’s his eyes hold no malice as he looks at me with a tender expression.

“How long will we remain here?” I ask.

Cassian’s hand closes around mine.

“As long as it takes to get you under control of your own body. I’ll be flying your doctor out every two weeks to continue monitoring your body while we continue training.”

“Training?” I ask.

Cassian smiles, nodding.

“Now that we are away from the island, I will show you what it is to be an Ancient. What it truly means.”

His smile widens revealing his dimple.

“Why?” I ask.

Cassian brings my hand to his chest as he speaks to me, his eyes glowing in excitement as he studies me.

“You and I were destined to rule, Neytiri. I want nothing more than to fulfill that destiny with you.”

My heart speeds up at his words.

I wonder if he knows how close he is to the truth. It seems that no matter what path we took, we were to end up together. I take a step back, pulling my hand from his grasp as I look out over the view beyond. The way the waves move is peaceful.

When I look at Cassian, he is watching the waves as well with a peaceful expression. His gaze shifts to mine and he seems to be having an inner battle before he moves away from me to pull open the window. He holds his hand out to me once again.

“Walk with me.”

It doesn’t sound like a question, but it doesn’t sound like a threat either. I gently place my hand in his allowing him to pull me out of the air-conditioned interior into the blistering heat that awaits me outside. Cassian, however, seems at ease. This climate must be perfect for him. Dragonborn are known for living in warm climates.

As if sensing my thoughts, Cassian speaks.

“I bought this island long ago for my own. The mountains are tall enough for them to fly without worry of being discovered. But I decided I wanted them to remain on Brineau. Our people must learn to get along, even if years of turmoil stain our history.”

I look at Cassian in shock.

“There are Dragonborn on Brineau?” I ask.

Cassian nods, keeping his gaze ahead.

“It’s a small colony on the far side of the island, far enough that the Ikniri won’t cross paths with them. But there are no laws that say they cannot interact with one another. Now we must be the bridge for them to put this animosity to rest.”

I continue to watch Cassian as we walk along the beach. His expression remains neutral, but once again his words sound like he’s trying to fix something.

“Cassian… are you okay?” I ask.

Shock forms on his features as he looks my way.

“Yes… Just…”

Cassian trails off, stopping completely. It makes me realize just how warm it is. Not only in the air but the sand itself seems to have soaked in the heat from the sun. The longer I study Cassian, the more I can see just how guarded he is. After a moment Cassian gently reaches for my hands. My instincts are to pull away, but I remain still as he runs his thumb over the top of my palm lightly.

His eyes are intensely focused as he wipes away the light sheen of sweat forming on my skin. When I look into his dark gaze he seems to be warring with himself.

“Close your eyes.”

I narrow my gaze.

“Trust me,” he says softly.

I watch him closely, my trust waning. I don’t trust him in the least. But part of me is saying to. So I slowly close my eyes waiting for whatever it is he intends to do. Cassian turns over my hand, coaxing me to open my fingers, and suddenly, I feel a pattern on the inside of my palm.

“Take deep breaths.”

His words penetrate the darkness and I obey his command. I inhale deeply until my lungs are full, then I breathe out.

“Feel everything. Feel the air around you and it’s warm. Feel the heat on your skin as it settles and pulses.”

I continue to do as he commands, feeling myself grow increasingly uncomfortable. I feel the heat of the sun and the warmth of the air. I smell the salt and the sand. I feel the wind gently kiss my skin and the faint spray of water as the waves crash to the shore.

“Now, imagine you are home. Imagine the snow and the cool air. The winter. Feel it as you feel this world around you. Feel it at your core; your center. Keep your breathing steady and inhale the cold.”

I imagine the mountains and the snow. I imagine the wind against my skin feeling cold instead of warm and I soak it in, pulling it to my core. I can feel the sharp cool in my throat as I inhale.

“Good. Now, expand that. Expand it so that it coats your body. Force it to exude from your core. Push the heat away, push it all out. Each individual element must add to it. Imagine it as a bubble that opens up until it fully surrounds you.”

A soft gasp leaves my lips. I feel it. The bubble expands the chill I held at my core. It coats my arms and my legs, my entire body until I feel nothing but the comfort of the chill on my arms. I feel comfortable. Normal. In the darkness, Cassian pulls away from me forcing me to open my eyes. He’s once again standing in front of me, a wide grin on his lips.

He looks proud.

“That is how you internalize your temperature.”

Awe comes over me at his words. Before I can respond, however, I notice his hands. They’re red. I reach for him, but he backs away shaking his head gently.

“Cassian-”

“It’s fine,” he interrupts.

“But your hands,” I say.

Cassian looks at his hands as he speaks to me.

“The natural chill your body releases is dangerous for my kind if not properly diluted. But you don’t know how to do that yet, so we will just have to be careful.”

I recall the time I ran into his camp when I first awakened my own power. He told me how dangerous it was for me to create the small flurry I showed him, the same red scarring appearing then that is now. I slowly nod my head as realization dawns on me. My body feels normal, if not more powerful. I look at Cassian with wide eyes.

"You... gave it back? My power?"

Cassian nods, eyeing me closely. That’s why he was so guarded. He’s watching my movements just in case I snap again.

“I told you before the only reason I was keeping it from you was that the lives on the island were at stake. But here it’s just the two of us. And with the climate to help, it won’t be too difficult to restrain you should something happen.”

I continue to watch him in disbelief.

“Why do this? Why give me back my power and teach me to do something I can’t even control?”

“I could see you were uncomfortable. And the sooner you learned to internalize the sooner you would stop being so tense.”

I shake my head in disbelief stepping back.

“This isn’t you, Cassian. You wouldn’t do this without some immaculate plan,” I say in confusion.

I want to believe him, but as I stare into those deep red depths, I can see the Blood King clawing at the cage Cassian has carefully manifested to keep him at bay. But he doesn’t seem fazed by my words. He doesn’t respond as he steps past me in the direction of the house.

“Come. Let’s get you some dinner and properly settled.”