The Ice Queen - "Normal" Ch. 27 (Patreon)

Neytiri

Warmth spreads over me as the sun’s rays rest atop my skin. The chitter of the animals in the surrounding forest lilts over my ears, forcing me awake. I’m naked, the grass soft against my skin giving me no issue when falling asleep in it.

Especially after Cassian’s mood last night.

We’ve been coming back to the Dragonborn side of the island for a week now. We spent last night near the waterfall, in a secluded area Cassian loves. By the time we finished, I was too exhausted to return to the estate. I slowly realize there’s a warm body wrapped around me, and a strong arm draped over my waist, holding me to Cassian’s warm chest. As if sensing I am awake, his arm slowly shifts up my waist until it brushes over my breast, lightly. I tense, unaware if he’s asleep of purposely teasing me. But my question is answered as a deep chuckle reverberates over my body. I slowly sit up, looking back at him.

He has an amused grin on his face as his gaze roams over my naked body. I can’t help but admire his features. His hair falls in his face, some slightly draped around his features as he sits up on his elbow, watching me. My eyes slowly shift down his naked form. When I reach below his waist, I immediately shift my gaze back to his face as I recall what happened last night. Cassian’s smile widens and he takes the opportunity to sit up, pushing his hair out of his face as he watches me.

“How are you feeling?” he asks.

I shift my gaze over the edge of the cliff-side. The Dragonborn city is coming alive as the Ikniri village does in the morning. There are boats pulling into the harbor and cars moving about. The Dragonborn city has embraced modern technology much more so than the Ikniri.

“Happy,” I say.

My body as well feels amazing. Even though the heat of the day is boring down on me, I still feel strong. I slowly hold my palm out, testing my theory as ice easily forms atop my palm. My gaze shifts to Cassian who is watching me.

“Why do I feel stronger?” I ask.

Cassian smiles, laying back on the grass. His muscles flex as he places his hands behind his head, the sun shining on his naked body. He seems very comfortable and I find myself wondering how often he’s walked around in the nude to be this at ease. Cassian holds up his palm, studying it as he answers me.

“We share a blood oath. A blood oath isn’t supposed to be one sided. Now that we are becoming more in sync and getting along, our power only strengthens.”

Cassian tilts his gaze, looking at me.

“When we are not in sync, a blood oath is very one-sided. It was how I was able to get in your head in the past.”

His words make me think of the night I went down the mountain. I felt so weak after that, especially during our battle. Cassian’s words pull my attention and I study him, finding the courage to ask my next question.

“That night…”

Cassian nods knowingly, his expression soft. He lowers his eyes, gently pulling my hands in his as he speaks.

“What transpired between us that night was enough for me to get in your head and use the blood oath to manipulate your emotions. At the time, you couldn’t decipher what was what which is probably why you felt so overwhelmed.”

I don’t respond. I can’t find the words for the situation. Cassian picks up on my hesitance, placing a gentle kiss along my knuckles.

“Don’t worry. I will never do that again. I swear it. I don’t think I could even if I wanted. Your hold on the blood oath has strengthened immensely since awakening. We are equals.”

Cassian doesn’t give me a chance to respond as he stands next to me, his eyes focused on the city in the distance.

“Come. We should be getting back.”

Cassian

I feel powerful. In a way that I haven’t in a very long time. I always knew the effects of the blood oath because of what was told to me growing up, but I never knew how drastic the change was until I lived it. Neytiri and I are getting along in a way that strengthens us both. The villages are slowly coming together to know each of us individually as well as each of our people. We are unifying our kind in way that hasn’t been done before, the only threat looming outside of this island.

“Cassian.”

Ulric is watching me in concern, standing at the front of the room. I wave him off gesturing to the chart.

“Continue,” I murmur trying my best to focus.

Ulric hesitates slightly, aware of my lack of focus but continues anyway.

“A press conference has been scheduled for this week for the announcement of your push into clean energy. With everything that’s happening, I can send a representative to the conference to ensure-”

“No. I will go. This is important and I can’t hide here forever. It will only make tension worse.”

Ulric nods continuing his speech.

“In that case, we will head to the mainland a few days early to ensure everything is right with the venue.”

I nod looking back at my notes just as a light knock sounds on the door. I perk up, immediately aware of who the presence is on the other side of the door. Ulric pulls open the door to reveal Neytiri and against my will, my heart rate speeds up and blood rushes straight to my cock at the sight of her. She’s wearing a simple tank top and jeans that cling to her lean frame. Her wild hair shifts on its own, disappearing into a small flurry at the ends. She’s stunning; a walking mystery that is the Ikniri. Even her eyes shine much brighter today as they land on me.

I’m out of my seat to greet her across the room in an instant. She gently places her hand in mine, her palm chilled like the rest of her skin. It’s something that made me uncomfortable in the past, but I’ve grown used to it now, enjoying the pleasant chill of her lowering my body heat.

“Leave us.”

I don’t have to look to know Ulric has already gathered his things to leave. Neytiri watches him upon his exit, looking back at me with wide eyes.

“You didn’t have to send him away,” she says softly.

I shrug, leading her to the seat near the window. I know Ulric makes her uncomfortable because of his heavy loyalty to me and although we have been getting along over the past few weeks, I don’t want to risk her losing control because of any form of discomfort. It would set us back.

I remain silent as we take a seat and she looks around my spare office in interest.

“This is different,” she murmurs.

I chuckle, watching her steadily as I respond.

“It’s only temporary while renovations happen.”

Neytiri looks at me with a curious gaze, and I know her question before she asks it.

“Hynden and I had a disagreement. And I may have lost a little control,” I say.

Neytiri is silent, and I know she has millions of questions that she wants to ask. But a lot of her questions, I cannot give her answers to. Not because I don’t have the answers, but because they would be risky to her. Only recently did I enlist Caius to put together a team to destroy the warehouse that has been splicing Neytiri’s DNA. And with the upcoming press conference, it will be the perfect time for me to personally end the life of the doctor who is providing information. She doesn’t know it, but I plan on taking a lot of lives my next trip to the mainland. And luckily, we tested the weapons on myself. They have no effect on me.

“So, what do you have planned today?” I ask changing the subject. She shrugs, her gaze falling on the wall that holds the itinerary. She looks at me with a raised brow as she speaks.

“You’re leaving?” she asks.

I slowly nod, gauging her reaction.

“To the mainland.”

“Yes.”

She frowns, and I can tell she once again feels left out of my plans. I can’t help but feel guilt if I place her in the middle of things, and something happens to her. Right now she is the target. And I don’t know what I would do if the world got ahold of her. Especially after I only recently got her back.

I gently place my hand under hers, pulling her gaze. I have to remind myself that she is as powerful as I am. And by ignoring that, I am pushing her away. I have to be more open. I release a breath, looking deep into her blue gaze.

“Would you like to come with me?”