Chapter Two

ISA

I gawked at Prince Thadron standing in my little bookshop. Both his blue cape and silvery white hair blew against the merchandise from the winter wind of the open doorway. This guy had the build of a Greek statue, if Greek statues had smooth frost-blue skin and cobalt eyes. One stretch of his arm and he’d be able to straighten my chandelier that tilted.

“Don’t just stand there.” He addressed me. “I’m looking for Isabelle Hartman.”

He looked down his straight nose at me. That annoyed me. Then I thought otherwise. I guess since he was so tall he had to look downward at everyone. But I wasn’t about to let some towering ice prince order me around like he ruled the galaxy. As a matter of fact, I was handpicked by the rulers of this galaxy to talk to him .

I straightened my posture and pretended like my sweatshirt dress was as regal as a ballgown. “I’m Isabelle. And don’t you just stand there. Kindly close the door. You’re letting the heat out.”

I was pleased to see a bit of white around his eyes as he stared at me. Guess I showed him I wasn’t about to be ordered around. He extended a long arm and pushed the door shut. He gave the slightest nod to a few more people outside. I caught a glimpse of their armor from the window, similar but not as fancy.

“Pay no mind to my guards.” He cast a bland glance outside. “Despite my years of warfare, the court advisor insists they travel with me whenever I leave for another planet.”

I believed him when he mentioned his war experience. A body that could stand straight and strong in that heavy armor had to have seen combat. Looking at his face, I’d put him somewhere in his thirties but I could never tell with different alien species. One person’s thirties was another’s ninth century. I also focused on his voice, accented with a foreign lilt I never heard from any of the interstellar travelers who came to this city. His voice intrigued me, but his tone was colder than the wind gust that previously found its way inside the shop.

“Uh, hello, Prince Thadron," I greeted. His presence filled the room as well as a slight, though noticeable, drop in temperature. Was the cold coming from him? I heard some alien species had that effect on their environment. “I go by Isa.”

"Good evening, Isa," he replied curtly. He scanned the shelves lined with books and trinkets. A quick glance was directed at me, fleeting and dismissive, as if I were another item on display, expected to perform a function and nothing more. "I require souvenirs for the royal family, Akora the queen and my younger half-brother, the crown prince Lucian.”

Now gifts I could do. I relaxed and got into shop owner mode. “I’m sure we can find some nice things for them. I have books, gourmet gift sets if they’re into trying different foods. Where do you want to start?”

He didn’t share my enthusiasm to go shopping. Instead, he turned a distracted half circle to view the room. “I’m leaving for Glaciara tonight after dinner, and you are to accompany me." His words fell like icicles, each syllable calculated and sharp.

“Eh?” I made a sound of surprise. Camille Azulim said I was going to represent the Wanderstar Fleet in a gift exchange, but she didn’t tell me I was going planet-hopping tonight.

“Is something wrong?” The Glaciarian prince was giving me an imperious eyebrow.

I fixed my face so I didn’t look like someone had opened the door on me while I was getting dressed. “No. I was just thinking about the gifts. Does the queen and your brother have any particular preferences?" My question hung in the air as I hoped to break through his aloofness.

Thadron's eyes flitted around the shop again, this time landing on a set of handcrafted porcelain globes of the Milky Way solar system. He picked Earth and Venus, inspecting them with a mild curiosity. "Queen Akora likes to look through her telescope," he said, almost to himself, before placing the globes back on their display.

“Maybe she would like those on her shelf, then.”

“I’ll take them. Now, on to little brother.”

I wasn’t sure if he caught himself, but I noticed the warmth that filled his voice when he referred to Prince Lucian. I smiled. Maybe Thadron wasn’t a complete and total iceberg after all.

“What does your brother like to do in his spare time?”

"Lucian likes frostgrazers.”

I bit my lip. “Sorry, I don’t know what those are. Is it food?”

“Only in the most horrid of conditions.” Thadron met my clueless expression with an unexpected humorous glimmer in his eyes. “Forgive me. Frostgrazers are transport animals. They have thick white fur and spiral antlers. They’re quite ideal for crossing snowy terrain.”

“Oh, like a horse. Some people ride those on Earth.”

“Yes, like a horse.” He lowered his head in a noble show of deference. “Forgive me. I shouldn’t have teased you.”

Something shifted in my impression of him. Maybe it was how his expression changed from sour to just a tiny bit sweet. “I’ll let it slide this time, Your Highness.” He looked at me through the strands of his pale hair. I held back a chuckle at how caught off guard he appeared.

But I had to reign it in. This alien ice prince was acting as a diplomat. And I was supposed to be, too. “I have some gift boxes of gourmet snacks and candy that are travel-friendly. Your brother might like them when he goes riding.”

“Lucian needs his full attention on keeping hold of the reins.”

I wasn’t sure if Thadron was still joking. He didn’t wear a smile this time. "So no on the snacks?”

“Whatever you think is best,” he muttered, already moving on to the next shelf. He put back on the air of detachment he came in with.

My com link vibrated on my wrist. It looked like the details Camille promised me were starting to come in. There wasn’t time to read up on Prince Thadron and Glaciara now, with him already here.

I studied him as the warm burgundy and gold hues of the shop’s holiday decor clashed with his cold demeanor. And yet, I caught another hint of interest in his eyes as they lingered on a display of interior design coffee table books.

"Is this how people of Earth live in their homes?" he asked. He ran a finger along the spine of a book that featured a cozy fireplace and plush furniture on the cover.

"Many do. The book you have your finger on shows a cozy living room. That’s how I like my space to be when I’m working on my novel.”

"Quaint," he uttered.

“Well, aren’t you a tough sell?” I muttered under my breath, hoping he didn’t have superpower hearing.

“The gift basket of snacks from your planet are a good idea,” Thadron decided. “Lucian enjoys being the first to try something new.”

I nodded as I went to gather the porcelain planet set and gift basket. “I’ll get these wrapped for you.”

I left him to browse the front of the store while I disappeared in the stock room to wrap the gifts for the royal family. My hands carried a small tremor as I folded the wrapping paper and measured the red ribbon. I had to get this right. The reputation of the Wanderstar Fleet just might rest upon my gift-wrapping skills.

As I tied the last ribbon, I realized that I needed to pick out something to give Thadron for the gift exchange. What would make a great gift for him?

I carried the wrapped gifts to where the prince stood. While Thadron surveyed the merch lining the shelves of my shop, I could see his shoulders relax ever so slightly. “You can have a seat on the armchair. It’s really comfy.”

“Thank you, but I don’t need to sit.” He viewed the neon lights outside, squinting as a rotating sign bathed him in fuchsia pink light. “We need to leave soon for dinner.”

"Give me a couple more minutes, please. I still need to get ready.”

With a sigh, he settled down on my favorite armchair. His knees went almost to his chest as he sank into the cushion. “Very well, but we need to hurry.”

“Good things take time, you know.” I might be polite, but I wasn’t about to let him order me around. I met his frigid gaze. It panned from me to sweep across the entire shop.

“You may have designed your shop for people to get comfortable and settle down, but I don’t have the luxury.”

The nerve. I almost blurted out that I just found out about this whole dinner and gift exchange thing, but kept my mouth shut. It might look bad on the Fleet if I revealed just how last minute these change of plans were.

“Be back soon.” I hurried to the back of the store and up the stairs to my loft on the second floor. Before I set my foot down on the first stair, my eyes latched onto a particular book nestled on top of a nearby stack I had yet to inventory and put on the shelf. It was an old volume, its white cover shimmering like a fresh blanket of snow under the soft lights. I lifted it, and glanced at the title.

The Book of Frost. I flipped open the pages to see a collection of fairy tales. Tales of medieval European hunters, Aesop’s fables, mythological gods and goddesses filled its pages.

“Yes, Cryostrum, we are on the way.”

I turned to see Thadron speaking into his com link to someone. He continued to grumble about the impending dinner.

“I already agreed to the glimrin berry trade...No, I’m not bringing that up to the city’s financial minister, either....”

I returned to the book. I flipped through the rest of the pages, seeing the illustrations of crystalline forests and silver-winged creatures.

This book might be a good way to show Earth’s literary tradition to Thadron and his people. Or he might think it could be completely childish. But these stories stood the test of time. "Sometimes," I said softly, closing the book, "even kids’ stories could tell deep truths.”

This Book of Frost might make a good gift. Thadron looked like he could use a little time to kick back with a book and cup of something hot. Of course, all that ice armor had to go.

I imagined how he looked without the armor on while I carried the book upstairs to put in my suitcase. I'd have to pack after tonight's dinner. And I still didn’t know what I was wearing.

After thirty seconds of rummaging through my closet of comfy hoodies and cardigans and joggers, I grabbed hold of the one nice dress I took here with me. It was a simple sheath dress in cream, probably not formal enough, but it was much better than what I had on. I guess the color could be holiday-ish with a few sparkly accessories. I removed my green dress and put on the nicer one, along with a pair of nice black flats. Hey, better than cross trainers.

I didn’t have time to regret donating all my nicer work clothes. I gathered my hair in a high bun, pulling out some curls with a bit of gel. Then I grabbed a bottle of gingerbread body spray from my dresser and spritzed a cloud in the air before stepping through it.

Downstairs, I found Thadron unexpectedly engrossed in an antique edition of Javorian poems. A smile crept onto my face at the sight of him getting comfortable.

"Enjoying yourself?"

His head snapped up, and he stood, abrupt, placing the book back onto the shelf with care. His eyes scanned me from head to toe. "You look...”

Hovercraft vehicles hummed as they zoomed past the shop in the street outside. I stood in the shop with Thadron, feeling odd little sparks of warm and cool dance up and down my body under his gaze.

“You look ready.” He finished his sentence. “Are you ready to go to the dinner?" His tone regained its coolness.

I rubbed my arms as the invisible sparks receded. "We can go.”

Thadron led the way outside to a waiting vehicle. His two guards waited for me to close the shop before I got into the vehicle. The prince settled in beside me, his long frame easily taking up most of the space in the backseat. The rich velvet of his cape brushed against my bare arm. My heart fluttered with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. There was something thrilling about the idea of attending a diplomatic event alongside a real-life prince, even if he was the epitome of a cold shoulder.

KAJAL OPERA HOUSE

I never walked a red carpet anywhere in my life. Tonight, when we arrived at the opera house, I had my first stroll. And my first stumble walking into the building.

Prince Thadron had my arm, and managed to catch me before I could make a swan dive for the floor. “Isa, are you alright?” His voice came out measured and cool as always, though I noticed he did turn his full attention on me.

“I’m good.” I squared my shoulders. “Now that I managed to trip on an invisible step in flat shoes, we’re free to enjoy the evening.”

The little glint in his eyes returned. “Your humor is different.”

“That’s a gentle way of putting it.” I walked with him past the door.

“It makes me curious.” Before I could ask about that statement, he moved on. “I don’t think anyone else noticed that you tripped. You caught yourself gracefully.”

“Well, your grip made my little trip a slight stumble instead of a big face plant.”

His touch immediately lightened. “I didn’t realize. Am I hurting you?”

I shook my head, aware again how those little warm and cool sparks danced between us. They also lingered on my arm where we touched. “I guess we should see all who’s here.”

A fleeting bored look zipped across his features before he made his angular face unreadable again. “We should. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long evening.”

I hoped not. I still hadn’t packed for Glaciara.

For an hour, we mingled with the other guests. A server pushed a glass of something light and bubbly in my hand. The delicate chime of fine crystal and the murmur of voices swirled around me as I navigated the grand ballroom of the opera house with Thadron. The prince kept his politeness, talking with the dignitaries of various planets with an ease that was the opposite of his true feelings.

"Prince Thadron, you must tell us about the Starlight Songs on your planet," exclaimed an excitable ambassador from Helikios, a neighboring nebula.

"Ah, yes," Thadron replied, the slightest curl at the edge of his lips betraying his disdain for the topic. "It's an old tradition, maybe even a little childlike. Singing outside among the stars on a winter night, as if they have ears to listen."

“That sounds a little like caroling,” I remarked, hoping to appear engaged in the conversation.

The other ambassador flapped his long yellow ears. “What is that?”

“It’s when people on Earth sing festive songs during holidays. Some of us do it for Christmas.”

Thadron’s eyes were on me again instead of the ambassador from Helikios. “And what is Christmas?” His voice carried the slightest trace of interest.

I gave a quick description for him and the other ambassador. “Besides singing, we like to give gifts, decorate a tree, sometimes eat too many cookies.”

“Cookies.” The Helikios ambassador laughed, rubbing his belly as his ears flapped. “Now that I can get behind.”

We shared a chuckle. Thadron’s face remained neutral. He finished his drink. “I think I’ll have another glass. Would you like one, Isa? Ambassador?”

I was still halfway through my glass. The ambassador declined. “I have to save room for dinner. There might be Christmas cookies later.” He patted me on the shoulder before he excused himself to go wave down another diplomat who strolled towards him.

I sighed with relief, glad I made a good impression. Thadron’s retreating figure may have been another story. I followed him as he took the opportunity to walk to the hors d’oeuvres table. He set his empty glass on a silver tray. “I’m still adjusting to the time difference on this planet. It’s the middle of the night on Glaciara.”

“I understand. No worries.” I finished my drink.

“And I don’t like small talk,” he added, lowering his voice as other dignitaries brushed by the table.

“I know.”

Thadron shot a quick glance my way. “How?”

I traced the rim of my glass with a fingertip. “I overheard you telling someone on your com link when you were in my shop.”

“I was talking to Cryostrum, the royal advisor. You’ll meet him soon.” A flicker of distaste crossed his face, gone so soon I almost missed it.

“Prince Thadron.” Yet another dignitary approached him at the table. “So good of you to visit this little corner of the galaxy.”

I found myself wondering, as I watched Thadron tighten his mask, what kept him so distant from other people. This event seemed to be going pretty well. Granted, I was no master of diplomacy at all. Yet there was something about the way he avoided genuine attempts to get him in deeper conversation. Something beyond being annoyed. It almost seemed a bit sad.

I chuckled when someone made a joke about the Kajal traffic. Thadron gave me a flat stare when I sent a smile his way. I had no idea why he showed up in a sour mood, but I knew I had my orders from the Wanderstar Fleet to make a good impression. Determined not to let his mood dampen mine, I engaged the other guests in conversation, smiling and nodding along to anecdotes of interstellar trade and cosmic festivities.

As the evening wore on, I floated from one group to another. I chatted about my bookstore, about Earth. When it was time to eat, I took my seat next to Thadron. He ate silently while the murmur of conversation wove bands of sound around us.

"Tell us, Prince Thadron," an alien with short shimmery purple hair began, "the defenses of Glaciara have been praised throughout the galaxy. What's your secret?"

Thadron straightened, his silverware laid down with precision. "Vigilance. We maintain our traditions and focus on our people's safety."

"Ah, yes, your tenure as master at arms has been most impressive," chimed in the ambassador from Helikios. "The peace you've secured for your planet is envied by many."

In that moment, a flicker of something unguarded crossed Thadron's face. He cleared his throat, shifting in his chair as if the heavy fabric of his cloak suddenly felt too constrictive.

"Let's not dwell on past achievements," he replied hastily, his voice regaining its frosty edge. "There are always new challenges to face."

I could almost hear the door to his inner world slamming shut, leaving me to wonder what lay behind it. "Challenges that I'm sure you will overcome," I offered, hoping to bridge the gap between us, even as his guarded eyes told me there were parts of him he was not going to budge on anytime soon.

The evening stretched on. The chatter of the dignitaries melded into a hum, buzzing through the hall.

“Thank you for your company. If you all will excuse me.” Thadron got up from the table and gave a nod so slight it was barely noticeable.

Was that it? He was just going to up and leave the dinner table like that, and leave me to figure it all out? I gave a smile to the puzzled guests, trying not to let my own confusion show. “Dinner was lovely, and so was the conversation. Excuse me.” I set my napkin down and rose from my chair.

Curiosity tugged at me, guiding my gaze as Thadron slipped away from the conversation and into a dim corridor of the opera house.

Where was he going? I trailed him at a distance. The further we moved away from the dining area, the quieter the opera house became, until all that remained was the sound of our footsteps.

Thadron came to stand in an alcove. Framed by windows, he stood, his ice-armored silhouette a frozen contrast against the night sky. I stayed just outside of the alcove, shadows curling around me. There, I listened as a low, haunting melody drifted from him.

His song reached at something inside me. Night seemed to enter from the window and fill the alcove, making the walls and floor disappear, leaving only the span and backdrop of a starry universe. The more I listened to the foreign words of Thadron’s songs, words I didn’t understand, I forgot myself, forgot the reason for my pursuit. The music continued to wrap around me, as though it were a cloak woven from the threads of distant stars. And then, I saw a vision: a glacial field of ice, cold and calm at once. Snowflakes drifted in a gentle fall before they danced upon the ice. The field seemed to expand into forever, this new world serene and untouched.

Was this Glaciara? Somehow, a piece of Thadron's home carried in his song. The sight was heartbreakingly beautiful, a canvas of peace painted with the brush of isolation.

As abruptly as it began, the song ceased, the final note hanging in the air like a crystal ready to shatter. The vision faded. I blink and found myself back in the reality of the opera house corridor.

"Isa?" Thadon’s voice, stripped of its melody, was still rich with the echoes of that other place. "What are you doing here?"