The Ice Queen - "Sins of the past" Ch. 13 (Patreon)

Neytiri

I never thought I would feel at ease in Cassian’s care, but for once I do. As I walk around the property of the villa, the sun still doesn’t bother me. The higher it rises in the sky, the more chill I release onto my skin. Even the heat of the sand no longer affects me as I make my way along the shoreline. The process of cooling myself down comes naturally to me.

I hold my hand out in front of me, a smile on my lips as the emblems on my arm begins to glow, just as a small flurry appears above my palm. My power began to manifest itself like this when I was a child. And now, I have full control over myself once again. Cassian was telling the truth about keeping my power at bay. He only did so to protect the inhabitants of Brineau. Since arriving here, he has released his hold giving me full control of myself. On the surface, it makes me happy, but I know it truly means my power is dangerous to those on Brineau.

Cassian has also kept his distance since arriving here, only seeking me out to eat and train. Training consists of learning to control my internalized temperature and continuing to educate myself on the world. While on Brineau this was something I did with Caius, but Cassian was right. He is my husband, not Caius. I must learn to be comfortable with him even after the atrocities I suffered at his hand. I must do this so both of our people can prosper. I am no longer a naive Ikniri. My powers as an ancient have manifested themselves and it is time for me to begin learning my place among my people and Cassian’s.

Even if I couldn’t avoid my destiny, I must at least honor my family’s memory by not letting their deaths be in vain. We must forge a new way, especially with the looming threat of humanity to our safety. My mind shifts to Cassian’s words only days ago. He wants to bridge the hatred between our people. And he wants me to help him do it.

I release a frustrated breath making my way back into the villa in search of Cassian. I came out to get some fresh air and clear my head, but the more I think of how history has affected our people, the more helpless I feel. The sooner Cassian and I resolve our issues with each other, the sooner we can get on with our respective roles.

The villa itself is spacious enough that I can walk from the beach to the porch and slide open the glass to enter. Cassian says it is a part of modern luxury having a pool on the other side when there’s an ocean just outside, but it still doesn’t make sense to me. The halls have grown familiar to me over the past few days so I maneuver easily to Cassian’s office. The door is closed. Cassian made it clear that I am free to enter whenever I want, but this is the first time I’ve decided to take him up on his offer.

I place my hand on the knob, pushing the door open.

Cassian sits behind his desk looking more like a modern man than ever. His head is lowered as he studies the papers on his desk, his brow furrowed in frustration. The wall behind him is glass like the walls outside giving a view to the other side of the island that peaks out. I can see the mountains in the distance that Cassian spoke of for his people. The light casts a bright glow behind him giving me the opportunity to study him as I approach. He’s very handsome in his solid-colored shirt. Cassian looks up at me as I approach, a smile gracing his lips.

“Did studying lose your interest?”

I cringe at the language he chose today.

English.

It’s my least favorite of the languages, but Cassian forces me to speak it with him to learn fluently. He says it’s a universal language.

“Yes,” I say in response to his question. He laughs softly at my tone, lowering his gaze back to the papers. His focus gauges my curiosity and I make my way around his desk, my eyes focused on the papers as well. They’re made up of charts and graphs, but the names and percentages attached to them mean nothing to me. Cassian notices my focus, leaning back in his seat as he focuses on me.

“What exactly are you doing all day with these papers?”

He spreads the papers across the desk watching me with an intrigued expression.

“I am working on a project within the company. I’m doing some last-minute reviews to make sure the numbers look good so that when I present it to other companies, they will want to be a part of it.”

Cassian pulls a page from underneath the piles of paper holding it out to me.

“One day you will learn about the company as well. I want you to be able to take over when I am not around.”

I take the paper from Cassian studying it.

“What do you see?” he asks.

I take in the numbers and words, my brain working quickly to decipher it.

“Proft margins?” I ask earning a smile from Cassian.

“See, I knew you’d be a fast learner.”

He pulls the paper from my hands as he speaks.

“Now we just need to get your power under control.”

I don’t respond, walking away from to slink into the seats across from his desk.

“You’ve become very accustomed to this life.”

Cassian shrugs, giving me his full attention.

“One must adapt if one is to survive.”

I smile.

“You’ve adapted well.”

“Mostly. I still don’t fit in like most humans. They look at me and know something is different. They just can’t quite pinpoint what, other than my eccentric outer appearance. It will be the same for you once we introduce you to the human world.”

I nod my head but I don’t respond. Cassian once again watches me for a moment before speaking again.

“Once we introduce you, you will have to be very careful. For the centuries it took me to gather our people once more, humans had already begun to discover, capture, and experiment on them. That’s why I created Brineau so that they can live free of fear. All of them.”

Cassian turns in his chair to face the large windows that overlook the island.

“Maybe one day I can turn this place into a sanctuary as well. So that they don’t feel confined.”

Cassian’s words stand out to me. I know what experiment means, but the manner in which he’s using the phrase doesn’t make sense.

“What do you mean experiment?” I ask pulling his attention.

“Years ago, humans captured one of mine. They tortured her, experimenting with her in ways that were inhumane. But they didn’t think that word applied to her because the more they tested her, the less human she seemed. They got far enough to use her scales to invent bulletproof armor. Luckily, I destroyed the facility in the process of saving her. But not without cost.”

I shake my head in disbelief, leaning forward in my seat. Suddenly, the air feels too heavy to breathe, but Cassian continues.

“We’re targeted beings. We have power and abilities they want to understand and use as their own so they target us. Where do you think all the legends came from? Over a time in history, they hunted us down. They started with the Mirena sending them into hiding. And they’re still destroying the Terran’s way of life as we speak.”

He takes a deep breath looking at the ceiling.

“Humanity is a disease. To our world and their own. It’s why there were never trusted in the first place to rule.”

“Then why didn’t you take everything back when you awoke? Why did you let them continue along this misguided path that puts our lives at risk?”

Cassian takes a deep breath looking at me.

“The Ikniri once traveled along a misguided path. And although the council insisted on wiping the Ikniri from the map in retaliation, my father forbade it. He said that if we did such a thing, our name would no longer be linked with pride and compassion. We would become monsters in the history books. He asked us if that was what we wanted for our people… but when I came into power, I was blinded by rage. I went against his last wishes and what he said would happen came true. Even now, centuries later, among the Ancients the Dragonborn are seen as the enemy. Even in the forgotten legends, we are the fierce, terrifying monsters that scare children at night. That is the legacy I have created for my people. I won’t wipe out a race again. That will never be the Dragonborn’s decision.”

Cassian’s gaze is intense as he watches me, but I can’t say anything. His words are chilling to the bone and true.

“Cassian-”

“I no longer hold interest in what humanity does. My life belongs to our people. It is my birthright. And it is a birthright I turned my back on when I plunged the world into chaos.”

A soft gasp escapes my lips as Cassian’s gaze seems to light up.

“I have been given a second chance to right my wrongs, and that includes you. I will not jeopardize that again. You are the only person I’ve ever cared about and I ignored that and have been punished dearly for it.”

“Cassian, you aren’t being punished,” I say.

He only laughs, shaking his head.

“Look around you. The world is the way that it is because I destroyed it and turned away from it.”

“But my people had a part in it. We ran away from our responsibilities as well.”

I bite my tongue, almost revealing our father’s decisions between us. But I can see that Cassian thinks he is being punished. And he is embracing it wholeheartedly. That’s what this is, repentance. All of it. It’s why he buries himself in work all the time so that he won’t have to deal with his brain telling him to wreak havoc on the mortal world and break his father’s word again.

Dragonborn are naturally a domineering species and Cassian is the King of them all. He’s living this life where he sits back and watches the world destroy itself because he thinks it is what’s due.

I don’t know if I feel disappointed, or happy about it.

One thing I loved about Cassian was his will to be and do whatever he wanted; his need to be free no matter what anyone said or did. He was a king. He was what his people needed from him. But now, he’s pushing that person away because he thinks that person is what destroyed the world. He refuses to acknowledge everyone’s part in it. And that’s a heavy burden for anyone.

My gaze once again falls to the mountains in the distance and I slowly rise from my seat, making my way behind Cassian’s desk. He looks up at me as I approach, his eyes cautious. But I reach out to him, gently placing my hand under his pulling him up from his seat. He watches me in shock but rises nonetheless.

“Come with me.”