“Sebile comes to us today in peace. Bound in accordance with the agreement made with Rosemond Esçhete, she is not seeking to harm any here. Our esteemed guest will be treated with the utmost respect and kindness. Lest someone forgets themselves, remember, she’s not forced to show mercy to those who step out of line,” Vale says. I spot her faithful servants, Cein and Kul, standing on either side of the flower arch. Even with good intentions, she wouldn’t be caught unguarded.
Spine straight as an arrow, she looks down on the crowd, nose wrinkled as if she smells something bad. Her smirk is full of secrets we can’t hope to know. Even out of her own kingdom, she acts as if we’re beneath her.
“There has been tampering with the veil between worlds. Someone seeks to open a portal that would allow their entire world entrance onto this plane. This is the root of your problems.”
“If you knew so much, why are we only now hearing about it?” Mr. Morel asks.
“The problems of humans concern me very little. I would not risk an upset to the balance in my kingdom for those who care none for me and mine. But I enjoy our arrangement enough to allow you to investigate on my lands where I first detected the anomaly.”
Everyone begins to chatter at once.
“You expect us to trust you with one of our own?” Zephirin asks.
“One of yours? No?” She laughs. The bell-like sound is cruel and cold, like the season she rules.
“Who will you grant safe passage, wise one?” Meadow asks, smoothing the rough waters like a white-water rafting champion.
“I’ve chosen one to represent you. A person I believe understands the complexity of traversing my rules and my people. She
has consented to carry your cause and agreed to my terms. I choose Louella Esçhete.”
“Of course you choose her,” someone shouts in the crowd.
Sebile snaps her finger. Choking begins. “I think you’ve forgotten who you address. I am Queen of the Winter Court and daughter of the Night. Your fragile human bodies would buckle at the mere thought of the things I’ve done to others for far less. Consider this your only warning.” Large gulps for air come from the back.
The invisible barrier keeping the rain from falling in the space does nothing to block the muggy heat. The moisture only unleashes misery with no cooling qualities. I shift in my seat, uncomfortable under the stares and poor conditions.
Frost coats the ground, and the temperature drastically plunges. Snowflakes drift to the ground. The acrid scent of fear drifts to me on a frigid breeze. The wind picks up, blowing her hair behind her like a dark banner. Amber streaks flicker inside the living purple fire of her amethyst gaze. Cein and Kul stalk forward with eerie twin movements toward the offender.
“Apologize to our Queen.” Hands on the hilt of their swords they stop by Everard Dupeux. Like ignorant father, like son.
Everard raises his chin. “I am allowed to have an opinion among my own people. This is my world.”
The swords sing as they are pulled from their scabbard.
I rise. “Peace, brothers. I offer retribution.” I walk over, back straight and eyes firmly fixed on the glitter black chips of ice that bore into me. I kneel before them and lift my hand, palm up.
Cein and Kul exchange a silent conversation with a look.
“Lady, are you sure?” Cein asks, deferring to my connection with the court. It’s a blood matter.
“Please, let my blood be a tribute for this affront.”
“Very well.” The sharp blade bites into the flesh of my palm. I clench my jaw, ignoring the pain. The blood wells up a red river in my palm. I tilt it and let it color the grass.
“Blood is spilled, and the apology is accepted,” Cein and Kul announce in tandem. Kul holds out his hand and helps me to my feet.
Sebile floats toward me, hovering over the ground. “This is the woman I’ve chosen. See how well she handles herself. With dignity, honor, and bravery. The courts of Summer, Fall, and Spring extend their welcome.” With a flourish of her hand, she heals my cut. A trail of snowflakes spin around me. The enchanted pieces of fluffy white frozen water dance, glitter in the sun like a scene from a winter wonderland movie. They whirl faster and faster, becoming a miniature blizzard. This is what it’d feel like to be inside a snow globe.
“Hold out your hand,” Sebile commands.
I do as she asks. A fat snowball lands in my palms. With a flash of blue light, it becomes an hourglass. Pure white sands and white wooden frame.
“You have twenty-four hours to prepare for your journey. We shall come to retrieve you when the final sand drops. I’ll take my leave. Interactions with humans are so very tedious.” She takes to the sky, becoming a swirling fluid white. Her twin protectors follow at her side, dark splashes of black that flank her in a stunning display of black and white.
“Well, that’s one way to make an exit,” Meadow cracks the joke.
Nervous laughter sweeps over the group like mass hysteria.