Chapter Four

ISA

I followed Thadron through the keep with a sense of wonder. His royal duties had him moving with purpose, the silver threads on his tunic catching the light as he navigated the halls of Gelverin Keep with ease. When we reached a wide set of doors, he paused, entering a code on the panel beside them.

"Since you enjoy books, I thought you might like to see this. Here’s where we keep our history." Thadron gestured toward the digitized archives that spanned the room.

Screens were mounted on the walls, displaying scrolling texts and holographic images that told the tales of Glaciara’s past. I stepped closer to one. The files were filled with alien script, intricate and flowing. "I’m a little embarrassed. How do I decipher this?"

Thadron’s fingers glided over the screen with precision. Suddenly, the text shifted, transforming into familiar letters that spelled out my own language. It was as if the room itself acknowledged my presence, inviting me to delve into its secrets.

"Amazing," I breathed out. Now that I made it safely to his planet and got through the introductions, I was starting to feel more comfortable again. I turned to the prince with a playful smile. "All I need now is a hot toddy and a cozy blanket to settle in with all these stories."

"Perhaps you should have brought them with you from your shop."

His bland remark caught me off guard, and I found myself fumbling for a response, wondering if I'd overstepped some invisible boundary. Before I could recover, a shadow flickered at the edge of my vision. Cryostrum strode by the open doorway. He didn’t stop or acknowledge us as he passed.

I glanced toward Thadron, whose eyes had narrowed ever so slightly at Cryostrum's fleeting appearance. "Let's continue."

I nodded. His annoyance had to be with Cryostrum, not me. Maybe it was about that discussion the advisor wanted to have with him. Either way, it wasn’t my business.

I pushed my doubts aside as we walked on, my mind already racing with the legends and lore that waited within those digital pages.

The hallway leading to my quarters was lined with sculptures, each one casting a prism of light across the walls. The white mineral they were made from had a gleaming semi-opaque quality, reminding me of melting snow caught in the sun. Even the air in the corridor felt ethereal—cool, crisp, and scented faintly with something like mint and pine. Thadron guided me in silence. Despite his armor and boots, he made quiet footsteps.

When we reached the door to my room, he paused, handed me a key, and offered me a curt nod. "Rest, if you need to. Dinner will be served in two hours."

"Thank you again." I found myself wishing for a moment longer of his company. I didn’t think to ask him what he liked to read in the archives. But he was already turning away, vanishing down the maze of halls and alcoves.

I opened the door and stepped inside, and for a moment, I just stood there, taking it all in. The room was vast, with soaring ceilings and walls, carved in intricate geometric patterns that reminded me of snowflakes frozen midair. The bed, larger than any I’d ever seen, was draped in soft blankets that glimmered faintly with the gold and silver embroidery I’d seen in most of the Glaciarians’ clothing. Pillows of various sizes were piled at the head, and a soft glow came from small crystals embedded in the headboard, casting a soothing light over the space.

A fireplace dominated one corner of the room, its flames a curious shade of blue and white, crackling softly against some kind of light grey and blue stones. Next to it stood a heating unit, sleek and modern, shaped like an obelisk with glowing runes along its surface. It radiated warmth that cut through the chill of the air, leaving the room perfectly cozy despite the icy aesthetic.

On the far side, tall, arched windows stretched from floor to ceiling, framing a breathtaking view of the snow-dusted hills beyond the keep. The glass was so clear that it almost felt like I could reach out and touch the frozen wilderness outside.

I ran my hand along the edge of a nearby table, its surface cool and smooth, carved from the same crystalline material as the walls. Every piece of furniture, from the chair near the fireplace to the small shelves stocked with unfamiliar yet beautiful objects, seemed to balance functionality and artistry.

Alone in my room, I finally sprawled on the plush bed, feeling the soft warm covers beneath me like the embrace of a cloud. I sighed, closing my eyes, and letting myself relax for the first time since stepping foot on Glaciara. My thoughts drifted to Thadron, to the unreadable depths behind those eyes. I understood duty—my bookstore and taking up this ambassador role was a testament to that—but there was something more in his solitude.

Even here, in this place of unimaginable beauty, I couldn’t shake the feeling that his soul was still trapped somewhere, cold and lonely.

A knock at the door jolted my eyes open. I answered it to see Cryostrum. He regarded me with a shrewd gaze.

"Prince Thadron can be difficult," he began, his tone smooth as glass. "I hope he hasn't been too unwelcoming."

"Actually, he's been quite hospitable," I countered, feeling a protective instinct rise within me. "He's shown me nothing but kindness since my arrival."

“As a prince should.” Cryostrum's smile faltered, and he studied me with newfound interest. "If you’ll pardon me, I’m off to meet with him. Will we see you at dinner?”

The idea of having to eat at the table with him made feel tired. “I’ll be there.”

“Good. Until then, Ambassador Hartman.” He bowed to me before taking his leave, leaving me to ponder the intricate web of palace dynamics.

I took an hour-long nap on the plush bed and then woke up to change out of my wrinkled two-piece pant and shirt set before dinner. After making very good use of the steaming hot water in the shower, I put on a nice sweater dress. I smoothed my hands over the soft knit of my sweater dress as I stepped out into the hall. The cozy material was modest, fitting me in all the right places without showing much.

“You were supposed to wait.”

I stopped at the sound of Thadron’s voice filtering through the hall. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of him. I fiddled with the hem of my sleeve to distract myself. He looked different this time. The heavy armor he wore earlier was gone, replaced by a sleek black shirt that hugged his broad shoulders. The silver embroidery along the high collar and hem caught the light, subtle but sharp, much like him. His sleeves were rolled up just enough to reveal his forearms—solid and strong, like he’d just stepped away from some warrior’s task instead of escorting me to dinner. He didn’t need the armor to look imposing. Even like this, he carried the kind of strength that made me feel both safe and unsteady.

And then there was his scent. Clean and crisp, like evergreen on a breeze. It wasn’t overpowering, just enough to leave me more aware of him than I wanted to admit.

“You were walking alone,” he said, his voice low and smooth, the kind of tone that seemed to reverberate through the quiet hall. “I was on my way to escort you.”

“Oh.” I blinked, forcing myself to focus on his words and not the way his eyes assessed me with every passing second. “I didn’t want to trouble anyone.”

“It’s no trouble.” He extended his arm in a gesture so formal it threw me for a moment. “Shall we?”

I hesitated before lightly resting my hand on his forearm. I could feel the strength in him. Somehow, that quiet power was comforting, even though his expression gave away nothing.

The walk to the dining hall wasn’t long, but every step felt heavy with something unspoken. I didn’t know if the tension came from him or me. Maybe both. Either way, I felt small in the maze of winding halls with their glimmering sculptures.

When we reached a dining hall, the weight in my chest lifted. The room was smaller, intended for a private gathering. About ten regal Glaciarians were already present. They rose from their seats as Thadron entered with me. Scones on the walls cast low intimate light. My gaze was immediately drawn to the dining table in the center. Etched across the surface were delicate patterns that reminded me of vines and flowers creeping across a windowpane.

The place settings were immaculate. There were plates gleaming under the soft light, silverware so polished I could see my reflection, and goblets that looked like they’d been crafted by an expert. A handful of servers stood along the edges of the room, dressed in navy and silver uniforms that matched the elegance of the keep. As soon as someone even glanced at them, they stepped forward to refill glasses.

The smell of the food hit me next. It was rich and unfamiliar, a mix of spices I couldn’t name but wanted to try. Something citrusy mingled with a deeper, nutty scent that reminded me of roasted chestnuts, only sharper.

Thadron pulled out a chair for me near the middle of the table. “Thank you,” I said as I slipped into the seat.

“You’re welcome,” he replied, his voice cool and polite before moving to take his own place a few seats down.

Lucian and Queen Akora entered the room soon after, and I rose from my seat just like everyone else. The queen carried herself with the grace and dignity of age. Her white hair, streaked with darker grey shades, flowed in soft waves down her back. It framed a face that was both regal and warm, with striking blue eyes the same shade as Lucian’s.

Like Lucian, she stood with her slim frame straight and poised. The high collar and long sleeves of her solid white dress gave the gown a modest air, but the way it trailed behind her, sweeping the floor like a river, made her look every bit the queen of this frozen kingdom.

She acknowledged the gathered nobles with a serene smile and slight nods, her presence silencing even the softest murmurs. Then her eyes landed on me.

For a moment, I froze. The intensity of her gaze was like a spotlight, and I braced myself, unsure of what she might think of me—a human woman among Glaciarians. But then her lips curved into a warm smile.

“Welcome, ambassador” she said, her voice carrying the weight of her authority yet managing to be gentle. “We are pleased to have you among us tonight.”

I managed to return her smile, feeling a rush of gratitude. Whatever awkwardness I’d been holding onto melted under her kind expression.

The servers began pouring wine and placing food onto plates. I didn’t know what lay ahead for the evening, though I told myself to stay relaxed. I ate in relative silence while listening to the conversation around me. The nobles chattered about the winter solstice. One mentioned the Starlit Songs, briefly glancing at Thadron. I noticed he concentrated mostly on his food, giving an occasional nod or turn of his head in the direction of whomever was speaking.

Once or twice, Lucian gave a mischievous glance at his brother and me, though said nothing. I wondered what that was about.

After the dinner plates were cleared and dessert arrived, Queen Akora spoke to me. "Isabelle, Lucian tells me you own a bookstore in the Kajal market, and that you are a writer.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” I proceeded to tell them how I started my business after leaving Earth. Then I mentioned my mystery, briefly describing the plot. “I still haven’t decided if it was the grunge singer or his agent who did it.”

“I would very much like to know who committed the crime,” voiced Akora. “I will have to get a copy of the book when it’s complete.”

“Be careful of the furniture if you visit.” Everyone looked to Thadron as he spoke out of the blue. “The cushions are soft. Like quicksand.”

“There's a way to get a customer for life.” Lucian smirked.

“I try to lure people back with sweeter ways.” I played along. “I make nice almond pastries.”

“Is that so? Thadron loves pastries.” Lucian was merciless as he teased his older brother. “I’m surprised how he can always fit into his armor this time of year.”

The thought of reserved Thadron scarfing down pastries with abandon almost made me snort with laughter. I muffled the sound behind a cloth napkin. His gaze slid my way. I expected an overcast glance, though the faint twitch of his lips gave him away.

Was the prince actually...amused?

The queen sipped from her wine glass. “Isabelle, I think you would enjoy browsing through our Froskael Bazaar. I would be delighted if you and Thadron would accompany me tomorrow."

"Thank you, Queen Akora, it sounds like fun." I accepted with a smile that matched her own.

Thadron set his spoon down. “I can’t. I need to go over the arms inventory.”

“I thought you asked Cryostrum to do it,” Lucian stated. “That’s why he’s missing dinner.”

“A good master at arms always checks his work, even those assigned to others.”

Lucian gave a wave of dismissal. “You can do that when you get back from the bazaar.”

“Listen to you two,” the queen admonished, her tone good-natured, but no less authoritative. “Talking business in front of the guests.” She looked towards the rest of us with apology. “You’ll excuse my sons. Usually they have enough manners to get through dinner.”

As the conversation drifted to other matters, my thoughts lingered on Thadron and the gift I had for him. The more I saw of the royal family he belonged to, this world of elegance and order, a book of fairy tales seemed like the worst gift. A master at arms and prince deserved something more significant, more mature.

Once dinner ended, the queen and Lucian made their exits first. Then Thadron came around to escort me from the dining hall and back to my room. I wanted to see if I could read something in the archives but the time change from the trip here caught up to me. At the door to my room, I covered my mouth as I yawned. “Looks like you’re stuck shopping with us girls tomorrow.”

Thadron folded his arms. “This is where my diplomatic duties end.”

I frowned. “What does that mean?”

“I haven’t been part of the Starlit Songs in years.”

“Well, I’m sure it won’t be hard for you to pick it back up again.”

“You don’t understand. I don’t care about the winter festivities.” He walked away from me, voice trailing after him. “I’d rather be doing anything else than this ridiculous waste of time.”