The Ice Queen "Looming Threats" Ch. 19 (Patreon)

Cassian

I barge through the doors without hesitation to find healers surrounding Neytiri’s unconscious body. Her doctors stand in the corner of the room with expressions of awe at the light aura that surrounds her form from the healers’ knowledgeable hands. I study her heavily, my gaze narrowing as I take in the chaotic state of her power. Her hair flows lightly, the ends dissipating into a mist of snow. The markings on her arms continue to glow as well, her body trying to force itself to output more power than she can control.

She’s in her purest form, which is extremely dangerous for all of us if she awakens.

The door opens behind me as Caius enters, and my rage is no longer under my control. I whip around, pressing my forearm into his throat as I smash his body into the wall. Gasps fill the air as the loose items in the room tremble from the force.

“What the hell happened!”

Caius’s gaze is level as he watches me, his expression calm, his traitorous blue eyes reflecting back at me. I release a growl, pressing into his throat, cutting off his air supply. His eyes widen slightly as he struggles for breath.

“I left her with you because I thought you would protect her. Is this protection?” I hiss.

I tense when I feel a hand on my shoulder.

“Cassian.”

Ulric has entered the room, his voice breaking through my anger. When I look at him, he’s watching me with a cautious expression.

“You have to put him down. He can’t tell us what happened like this.”

I narrow my gaze. I know he’s right, but every piece of me feels rage at Caius for failing to protect Neytiri. I release a sharp breath releasing Caius. He falls to his knees coughing as he sucks in heavy breaths.

“Speak now. While you still have a tongue.”

Caius rubs his throat as he looks at me.

“I don’t know who attacked us or where they came from. I don’t even know how they found the island.”

My hands ball into fists as I once again fight my anger. I bend to his level, my gaze narrowing as I study him. Heat radiates from my pores as my anger fights its way to the surface.

“How could you possibly not know?” I growl.

Caius looks up and all of my anger dissipates in an instant. Fear is plastered on his features, his gaze whipping from me to Neytiri.

“There was no one left to interrogate. She killed them all.”

* * * * *

The silence does little to help the thoughts running through my mind. Even the heat from the fireplace does nothing to comfort me. Dread has settled in the pit of my stomach, taking hold of my existence as I study the small dart in my hand. The chamber is empty, and the metal tip is comprised of elements targeting Neytiri’s body composition. The tranquilizer itself held enough fluid to put down a bear.

Whoever attacked Neytiri knew her body composition. They’ve studied her DNA enough to know how to combat it. Caius said regular bullets had no effect which is to be expected. High projectile lead is nowhere near strong enough to penetrate our skin. Normal blades aren’t either. Only Rodrog steel can and humans have no access to it. Only Ancients know where and how to mine it.

Unfortunately, Neytiri was more powerful than they were led to believe and they went from firing tranquilizers to lethal rounds. At least with Neytiri killing all of them we were able to confiscate the weapons they brought. They’re being sent to the labs right now to see exactly what the humans have created.

My gaze travels to Neytiri’s sleeping form. Her power has finally quieted itself. It’s frustrating to think of how much progress I thought she was making, but she still has so little control over it. As soon as her body sensed a threat, she lost control killing everyone instantly. Caius only survived because he swore an oath to her meaning her power runs through him as well. Otherwise, she would have killed him.

I take a deep breath, placing the dart on the end table as I scrub my hands over my face. I thought removing her from the island and her people would be safer, but it only left an opening for outsiders to attack. This situation is getting more complicated, and I fear I won’t be able to handle it past a certain point. Once again humanity is sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong. I’ve been patient with them over the years, trying to see them as my father did, but the more time passes, the more they prove that they are incapable of change. I cannot continue to ignore them. Not with so much at stake. If they continue to push, there will be no mercy once I am involved.

Neytiri

Warmth envelopes me. I don’t feel discomfort, though. My body has finally given me back control, and the weight of the chill no longer unbearable. I slowly open my eyes, fearful of what I might find. I recognize this room. It isn’t on the island, it’s on the estate. My gaze shifts to the window. The sky is covered in gray, a heavy blanket of snow touching every inch visible.

I slowly sit up, flinching as pain rips through my side.

“Careful.”

Warm hands gently caress my shoulders, taking the weight off of me as I sit up, looking into the eyes of Cassian. A rush of emotions hit me all at once, but the most prominent is safety. As Cassian sits in front of me, eyeing me with worry, I feel safe.

“How are you feeling?"

His voice is laced with concern as he pushes my hair out of my face. I flinch, holding my head in pain.

“My head hurts,” I mumble.

Cassian shifts, moving away from me. He comes back in seconds with a glass of water. I slowly bring the liquid to my lips, thankful for the chill it provides as it slips down my throat.

“What happened?” I ask.

“What do you last remember?”

I think for a moment before responding.

“I was with Caius… we were having dinner and-”

I trail off as memories bombard me. The smoke, the attack, the bullets. The glass in my hand freezes instantly, shattering from the frigid temperature.

My eyes widen as I look at Cassian.

“I-I’m sorry,” I stumble over my words as my emotions bombard me. Cassian doesn’t look angry though. He stands, holding his hand out to me.

“Come. We have much to discuss.”

* * * * *

Cassian leads me through the estate silently. I expect him to take me to his office, or to the labs where he can monitor me closely, but he surprises me by doing the opposite. He takes me to the back patio of the estate. The chill of the winter air feels amazing against my skin as I take in the white furniture and hanging lights. Cassian continues to lead me to the brick firepit that sits in the center.

Cassian’s dark gaze watches me intensely as he decides how to begin the conversation.

“Are you comfortable?” he asks.

I nod.

He’s hesitant but finally pulls an object out of his pocket, placing it on the table in front of us. I recognize it immediately. It’s the dart from the attack. My gaze shifts to Cassian and he looks angry as he studies it.

“The people that attacked you attacked with a purpose. They wanted you alive.”

He reaches for the dart, handing it to me and I study it as he speaks.

“This was carrying a tranquilizer. The dose was big enough to put down a large animal. They were planning on taking you somewhere alive.”

I glare at the medium-sized weapon in my hands, the chill of what this means settling in.

“Where?” I whisper.

I look up at Cassian and he’s watching me with a cautious expression, debating on telling me the truth.

“Where were they planning on taking me?” I repeat.

He inhales deeply, leaning forward in his seat.

“I don’t know. There were no survivors.”

My eyes widen. Judging from his expression, I don’t need to ask how. The moment my body lost control, I knew something terrible would happen. I killed all seven of them, and I have no recollection of doing so. This is why Cassian sent me from the island. I’m dangerous

“Cassian, I-”

“Don’t. I’m not upset. They created a weapon to bring you harm. They wouldn’t have survived the moment I caught them on the island if I was there. Either way, they got what they deserved.”

The words slide so easily off his tongue. This is the first time since I awoke that Cassian has spoken in a threatening manner toward humans. It’s refreshing to hear he feels this way, but at the same time, it’s shocking. I then recall I wasn’t the only one on the island.

“And Caius? Did I…”

I trail off unable to finish my sentence. My eyes burn with tears as I imagine his death because I was unable to control myself.

“Caius is fine. He’s in the village.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, dropping my head in my hands. Silence washes over us, and my mind suddenly feels anger. It isn’t mine. I’m familiar with this feeling. It’s the blood oath, and these are Cassian’s emotions. I lift my head, looking at him. He’s watching me with an unreadable expression, but it doesn’t matter. I have just as much access to our blood oath as he does. It is no longer one-sided.

“You’re angry,” I say softly.

Cassian tenses looking away.

“You care so much for him. He’s always the first one you ask about, and you light up when he shows up. He’s constantly the center of your concern. Why?”

My eyes widen slightly.

“He’s my closest friend.”

Cassian scoffs, leaning back in his seat.

“And what am I? Nothing? Do you know how worried I was? How terrified I was when I felt you through our oath, knowing you were miles away and there was nothing I could do? I felt your fear, Neytiri.”

Cassian looks at me.

“I am your husband. Not Caius.”

We watch each other in silence, but I don’t know what to say or how to respond. Cassian shakes his head just as Ulric steps out onto the patio. He bows as he stands before us, speaking.

“Hynden has arrived.”

Cassian releases a breath, standing. He doesn’t look at me as he speaks.

“Get some rest. You’ll need to be fully recovered if you want to see your village anytime soon.”