The Ice Queen "The Dragonborn" - Ch. 26 (Patreon)

The Dragonborn are starkly different from the Ikniri. I always knew this just by comparing our nature, but as Cassian soars over the city, I find myself looking at another foreign land that’s been on the opposite end of Brineua the entire time. Their city is surrounded by mountains, making a natural wall that extends into the ocean. It borders the ocean, with smaller islands that have more buildings and homes on them, a few miles offshore. The main city, however, sits within its own harbor with multiple ship ports sitting at the edge.

Cassian was right. There’s no snow on this side of the island. It’s warm, and green, the trees extending from the mountains stretching toward the sky in greeting. It makes perfect sense why Cassian was considering making the island he took me to the Dragonborn’s home. It suits them perfectly, the beauty mimicking this place. I take note there are no Dragonborn flying within the vicinity. No one occupies the sky at all except for Cassian. When I was a child, my father told us stories about the Dragonborn and their mountainous lands. He would always come back with exciting tales of how the Dragonborn occupy the skies in their own lands, their large and significant bodies forcing the wind to bend to their own will.

But it seems that Cassian’s people have lost their ways as well.

My stomach dips as Cassian lowers us out of the sky. It’s fairly early in the afternoon, and the sun has yet to set. The closer we make our way to the ground, the more I can make out Dragonborn. My heart involuntarily speeds up as I take them in. All of my interactions with Dragonborn have been hostile, so my body instinctually believes I am in danger even as I take in smaller children who point to the sky in excitement. I gently brush my fingertips against Cassian in an attempt to calm myself as we come feet from the ground.

Cassian’s large frame touches down in a field in the center of the city with masses of Dragonborn onlooking. And as I slide from his back, looks of contempt and fear appear. The Dragonborn’s features match their kings, their dark eyes making them stand out from society along with the markings on their skin put there once they mature. They’re as beautiful as they are terrifying. I gently clasp my hands in front of me in an attempt to assure them I am not a threat just as a burst of heat forms behind me as Cassian shifts to his human form.

The eyes of the onlookers widen, but unlike my entrance to the Ikniri village, no one makes a sound. The electricity in the air is tangible as everyone in the vicinity bows. Warmth envelopes me as Cassian takes my hand in his, and when I look up at him, his gaze is stoic, his eyes set as he roams over the crowd. I’ve never seen him like this. I’ve always seen him as a warrior. I’ve never seen him as a king, but just being in the same commanding presence as him at this moment is suffocating. It’s a much heavier weight than the crown that’s fallen to me on the Ikniri side.

Cassian continues to pull me along with him as we approach the crowds, his expression shifting over the faces. He dips his head in acknowledgment, giving everyone silent permission to rise. I’m in awe at the lack of dialogue and yet everyone follows his unspoken command. Cassian was a king long before meeting me. He rules effortlessly. As we walk, I sense more Dragonborn coming to this location. The increase of warm bodies intensifies as word quickly spreads that the king is here, and I think Cassian was expecting this because he speaks.

“It has been a very long time since I’ve come to this side of the island. It pleases me to see the faces of my people.”

Cassian’s voice carries over the crowd that parts with each step he takes, everyone eager to hear what it is their king has to say.

“It pleases me to see that you are alive and well, even though I know this land is nothing like the lands of legends. They are nothing like the lands that your ancestors grew up in; that I grew up in. And I know all of you are aware of why that is. But I am still glad that you are all here instead of pieces of legends that once existed.”

Silence fills the air, each Dragonborn clinging to Cassian’s words.

“I have spent centuries creating a life for all of us to live in peace. And that includes following my father, Aragon, the last high king of the Dragonlands, last wish.”

My eyes widen slightly as Cassian grips my hand, pulling me forward. He steps back as all eyes fall on me. Some in shock, some in fear, and some in unease. Nevertheless, Cassian continues.

“My father wished peace between us. He was killed before that dream could be realized, but he saw the larger picture. He saw a future for our kind that would have altered history itself. And I am only now realizing it. Neytiri is the Chieftainess of the Ikniri and the last of her line. And she is your high queen. We are no longer two people. We are one.”

I hold my head high as the eyes fall on me. This wasn’t what I had in mind when I spoke to Cassian about seeing the village. But as always, he follows his way of thinking. I remain still, wanting to mimic Cassian’s way of ruling, but the longer I stand, the more I realize Cassian and I are different. This is why I was adamant about coming here in the first place. So, I lower my head, bending slightly at my waist as I greet the Dragonborn people. I take a deep breath, my chest aching as I speak the words I know these people need to hear.

“For the sins of my people and the suffering it cost all of you, I am sorry.”

I feel Cassian’s eyes on me, ignoring the sinking in my gut. I slowly internalize my temperature, allowing my natural form to take place. Gasps fill the air as my skin slowly forms a sheen of frost on it, my hair dissipating as I take on my true form. And when I lift my head again, I see the same respect Cassian garnered reflected at me as everyone bows.

* * * * *

I’m exhausted. Night has finally settled over the island, and only an hour ago did Cassian tell the Dragonborn it was time for us to retire. I assumed we would remain on the dragon side of the island, but Cassian has flown us back home, back to the estate. And I am silently grateful. I didn’t realize how much being in the heat, and using my power was draining me. It makes me wonder just how much of my past was filled with exhaustion because I wasn’t in my natural surroundings. But as we approach the snow-covered estate, I feel my energy returning, even though Cassian carries me inside.

He doesn’t speak as he takes me to our bedroom, gently laying me atop the covers. His eyes hold a strange expression that I can’t quite decipher as he studies me, and I can’t hide my curiosity any longer.

“What?” I ask.

Cassian shakes his head, laying across my legs.

“You make me a better king.”

I smile at his words, and he continues speaking, his fingers finding my hair absentmindedly.

“My father was wise in placing you in my life. He knew a war was coming and wanted to prevent it. He would lecture me on my ways of viewing the world, and our subjects. I think he knew marrying an Ikniri would change my views and make me a better king for our people.”

I feel my mood shift from his words, and he senses it too, his dark gaze meeting mine.

“How long do you think this will last? This Peace?” I whisper. Cassian doesn’t respond and I can tell this is a conversation he doesn’t want to have.

“I’m being hunted on the mainland. My existence is now known among people who have proven to be my enemy. I am putting everyone here in danger. How long are you going to keep things from me?” I ask.

Cassian studies me, possibly deciding how to respond.

“I am handling it.”

“Without me,” I point out.

Cassian smiles revealing his dimple.

“Yes. Without you. I have to keep you as far away from this as possible. It’s the only way to keep you safe.”

I release an irritated sigh.

“Keeping me in the dark isn’t keeping me safe.”

Cassian lifts himself up, placing his hands on either side of my face as he studies me.

“Keeping your presence away from anything that I do is keeping you safe. I know we’ve been in a bubble for the past few weeks, but the real world exists, and it is not kind to people like us.”

I pull away from Cassian’s grasp, my gaze shifting out the window. The village is lit up in the distance.

“You sound like you fear them.”

Cassian scoffs, standing.

“I don’t want to drag us into another war, Neytiri. It isn’t the same thing.”

I keep my eyes trained on the village.

“So are we to hide like this? For the rest of our lives?” I ask. I slowly turn to face Cassian as images of the Dragonborn from today flash across my mind. The empty skies and the people themselves are a drastic reminder of what we are sacrificing for the sake of “safety”.

“Are we supposed to act as if we never existed?”

Cassian releases a sigh, and I hear his footsteps coming toward me before he places a kiss atop my head.

“Fine. We will go to war. We will take their lands and destroy their cities, and paint an image of our existence in blood and death. I will begin the war plan in the morning.”

Cassian makes his way to the door, his words hitting my ear wrong.

“Wait.”

Cassian turns to face me, his expression blank.

“You’re right. War is not the way.”

He gives me a pity-filled smile, pulling me into his arms.

“I know this is frustrating, Neytiri. I swear to you, I am handling things.”