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Chapter 9
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Frozen Heart Chapter 10
She did as the King asked. While she ate, Ayla kept wondering what this dinner was about. She came prepared to serve but instead, she was sitting at the same table as the King, next to him, eating from the food he put on the plate for her. And the Paladins. On the way from Myrthana to Nordmar, they avoided her like the plague. She thought they hated her, but here they were, smiling and joking with her. The only one that seemed not to like her was Godefray. His green eyes seemed filled with poison each time he looked at her. Even the King seemed different. He wasn’t exactly happy with her being in his home, but he was less angry. Maybe she could survive Nordmar. If only she knew what the King’s plans for her were. “Wine?” the King asked her. She was never allowed to drink before. “Yes?” “You don’t seem too sure you want wine,” King Rhobart said while reaching for her goblet with his right hand. Ayla’s eyes tracked his hand, and to her shock, she saw a banda
Frozen Heart Chapter 11
That night Ayla dreamed of her grandmother. They were sitting on a bench in her little garden she had in Myrthana and talking. A blanket of snow covered the garden, and white bell flowers rose nervously above it. Ayla was older in her dream. Her eyes were those of a person who had seen too much. Around her left wrist, she had tattoos of golden runes that Ayla did not recognize. They went all around her wrist like a bracelet. Her grandmother was telling her something, but Ayla was too distracted by the runes and did not hear what Grandmother Anza was saying. There was something about the runes that made her uneasy. They seemed important, and yet she did not know what they meant. Her grandmother kept talking, and Ayla knew she had to listen, but she could not take her eyes off her left wrist. The dream changed, and Ayla was a nine-year-old again. She was still in the garden but now with her mother. Queen Lavia brushed Ayla's hair while teaching her about herbs and plants. An o
Frozen Heart Chapter 12
When they entered the library, Ayla stopped breathing. It wasn’t her first time in a library. She spent time in the royal library of Myrthana. But the Royal Library of Nordmar was at least twice as big as the one in Myrthana. Shelf after shelf of books and more books, from the floor to the ceiling. Sofas and armchairs, tables and chairs were close to the bookshelves. Furs covered the floor, and magic crystals were placed around the library. Men and women, rich and poor, occupied some sofas and armchairs, reading. A few children sat at some tables, writing or drawing. In the middle of the library stood a round table made from marble with a map on top of it. Ayla’s mouth must have dropped to the floor because the King chuckled. “What do you think?” he asked. Not taking her eyes off the books, Ayla replied, “It is... breathtaking.” “I agree,” the King said, his voice low. “What do you want to see first?” Ayla looked around, and her eyes fell once mo
Frozen Heart Chapter 13
After the King left, Ayla paced around her room for a while, thinking about what she had said to him. She knew it wasn't his fault that the ice wolves attacked Milton and her or that she had been sick, but she was so furious with everything that had happened to her since she was a child. She hated Galian for using her as leverage to save his life, but she hated King Rhobart more for accepting it. All she ever wanted was freedom to do as she wished. Instead, she became a slave to a cruel king. She started biting her nails but stopped the moment she realized what she was doing. Ayla took a deep breath and sat in a chair. She knew she should apologize to the King the next time she saw him. Around noon, a maid came to bring her lunch. “You are not allowed to leave your room unless the King summons you,” the maid informed Ayla after putting the tray on the table. Ayla could not believe what she had heard. He was locking her up in the room? She tried to breathe, but no a
Frozen Heart Chapter 14
Ayla kept staring at him until the King finished his training, sheathed his sword, turned, and looked straight at her, his eyes full of anger. Was he still upset about what she had told him the previous day? She got away from the window as fast as she could. She could not believe he caught her staring at him like she was some kind of Peeping Tom. For the remainder of the day, Ayla kept her distance from the window, scared that King Rhobart would still be in the Royal Garden. So, she sat on the bed and read or napped. The next day, when the maid brought her breakfast, she also brought a book. Ayla picked it up, excited to read it. She wondered if it was full of stories about Paladins and dragons or princesses that went on adventures. The maid left, leaving Ayla alone. She sat at the table, smiling until her eyes fell on the title—”Manners and Etiquette: A guide for proper ladies.” ‘How dare he? Bastard!’ Ayla thought before throwing the book across the room. She forg
Frozen Heart Chapter 15
Ayla couldn’t believe she was thinking about it, but this was the perfect opportunity to get close and listen to the conversation. She needed to know about Myrthana. The King clenched his jaw, and Ayla knew he was angry. Too bad. ‘We are Longthorn, and we bow before no one. Better dead than serving another,’ her father’s voice echoed in her head. She almost snorted. Galian sold her on the first occasion he had. Ayla was a Longthorn, and she…. She was King Rhobart’s slave, after all, and his guests wanted more wine. Ayla walked fast, and before she had a chance to think about what she was doing, she was already at the table, grabbing the pitcher. Gorn stood and pulled a chair. Tizgar choked on his wine. Milton’s eyes widened when he noticed what she was doing. “What are you—?” The King stopped Milton before he could finish his question. “Let her do what she wants. She is bored and wants to draw attention. Sit down, Gorn.” Ayla wondered what would happen to
Frozen Heart Chapter 16
Close to dawn, Nordmar was already blooming with activity. Hunters were departing to track game in the dense forests, woodcutters were sharpening their axes, or fishermen were returning from nearby lakes. The Royal Palace was as busy as the rest of Nordmar. From the cook preparing breakfast to the maid serving it. From the butcher bringing fresh meat to the stable boy preparing horses for riders. It was during this time that Ayla, dressed in dark brown pants made from the hide of a mountain troll, a matching jacket, warm black boots and gloves made from the hide of a buffalo and stuffed with polar bear fur, and a white cloak made from the fur of a shadowbeast, stepped out of the castle and headed to the Royal Stables. A young servant accompanied her. The Royal Palace of Nordmar was in the heart of the kingdom. Long before the First War with the Orcs, only Snow Elves lived in Nordmar—the Frozen Land. When humans crossed the Jade River and claimed the North belonged to the
Frozen Heart Chapter 17
Milton was waiting for her in front of the Royal Stables, wearing a new magic robe. A messenger bag was in his hands—a beautiful messenger bag if Ayla was sincere. The servant bowed before making his way back to the palace. Milton gave her a friendly smile. “Good morning, my Lady,” he said. Each time Milton called her lady, she wasn’t sure if he was mocking her or trying to be polite. Perhaps the latter. “Milton,” she greeted him. The Fire Mage extended his arms. “I wanted to give you this before we go inside the stables.” Ayla’s eyes widened. The messenger bag looked expensive, something that someone of a high ranking would have. While she has only caused problems since arriving in Nordmar, she wanted to start working so she could pay her debt and, in time, earn her freedom. If she took the messenger bag, how many years would she have to work for it? “I don’t think I can accept this. This is too much.” Milton muttered something under his breath in old Nordmari
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