Page 96 of A Shard of Ice

“Thank you, Lady,” Elsie says as we walk away. She links her arm through mine, and once we round the corner, she says, “See, I told you that all would be well.”

“You did, indeed. I am truly grateful for everything.”

“Don’t be silly. You’re family.” She smiles warmly at me. “I still can’t believe I have a cousin I never knew about. We’re going to be fast friends, Sindy.”

“Yes, we are.” I feel so guilty about lying, but there is nothing I can do about it.

“Do you know why our mothers hated each other so much?”

“No, my mother never spoke of your mother.” I stick to something simple.

“My mother mentioned once or twice that she had three sisters but never spoke of Mable much. I think it’s strange to have a sister and never speak of them. I longed for a sibling. I would have done anything for a sister.”

“I heard that your father passed away when you were very young.”

She sighs. “Yes, I was only one when he died. I can’t remember a thing about him, even though I feel I know him because my mother speaks of him all the time. She was pregnant when he died, but she lost the baby.”

“Oh no, I’m so sorry, Elsie.” I like her. I liked her from the moment we met. She’s open and kind and accepted me without question. She’s short, with wide hips and very large breasts. Her smile is wide and almost a constant fixture on her face.

We start climbing stairs. They go on and on. We go up and up before finally reaching a set of frosted double doors. I’m a little winded by the time we reach the top, whereas Elsie is just fine. She must be used to it.

“Thank you for coming with me to the market.”

“Of course. I want to help in any way possible and, as you said, we’re going to be good friends. Also, it would be nice to see some more of the Ice Court.” I can’t wait to explore. To see how the fae live at the courts.

Elsie pushes the door open and gestures for me to go through. We’re still inside the castle, but no longer in the part where the staff reside and work. This is the actual castle itself.

I step through, awestruck by the sheer size and beauty of this place. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before – a frozen palace made entirely of ice. This includes the chandeliers that sparkle in the bright morning light. The ceilings are high and made from ice and glass, which is free from snow despite the storm we had yesterday.

So, this is the icefae court.

This is it.

My mouth falls open as I marvel at all I am seeing.

Elsie laughs. “You’re acting like you’re seeing this all for the first time. Didn’t you come this way yesterday?”

“I did, but it’s just so incredible.” I shrug, once again feeling terrible for the lies that roll so easily off my tongue. I guess it is something I’m going to have to get used to.

Elsie gently tugs on my arm, guiding me forward through the magnificent icy palace. I try to take in every detail, from the shimmering chandeliers above to the intricate ice sculptures that adorn the halls. The air is crisp and cold, and yet I feel warm. I feel silly carrying a fur coat. It was loaned to me by Merna and is thick but light over my arm.

As we walk through the grand corridors, I catch glimpses of fae nobles and courtiers going about their business. Their elegance and grace make me feel out of place, like a mere mortal intruding upon a world of magic and beauty. Elsie leads me past ornate doors and windows that reveal breathtaking views of snow-covered landscapes and frozen lakes. It is a winter wonderland if I ever saw one.

Finally, we reach a set of doors adorned with swirling patterns in silver. “This way.” Elsie smiles, pushing open the door.

The sudden rush of frigid air hits me as we step outside, and I breathe in deeply, taking in the crisp freshness of the winter morning. We don our coats and walk out into the courtyard. It is bustling with activity, fae and humans of all shapes and sizes going about their daily routines. Elsie guides me through the snow-covered cobblestone paths, her footsteps leaving delicate imprints in the pristine white snow. I note that the snow is far thicker everywhere else. It’s like the paths are being kept clear by magic. I turn and look at the castle, which is made from ice and glass. It, too, is completely snow-free despite the storm yesterday.

We pass by a group of musicians playing ethereal tunes. The music fills me with a sense of wonder, blending harmoniously with our enchanting surroundings. I’m in awe of this place. It’s like nothing I ever imagined it would be.

The sun shines down. It’s big and bright. The sky is a beautiful, pristine blue. This is nothing like the world out there.

Now I understand why Damon sent me here. It’s completely different from anything I expected. It’s like a haven.

We soon reach the market. It is a vibrant scene of colors and sounds, with stalls set up as far as the eye can see. Fae and humans alike bustle around, haggling over goods and exchanging stories. The aroma of exotic spices mingles with thescent of freshly baked bread, creating a heady mix that dances in the air.

Elsie leads me through the maze of stalls. We stop at a stall selling intricate jewelry made from shimmering crystals and various colored stones. Elsie’s eyes light up as she examines a delicate necklace set with opals that seem to glow from within. “This is gorgeous. It would suit you perfectly.” She holds it up to my throat. “You must buy it when you get your first wage.”

“I need suitable clothing first. I can’t borrow all of Aunt Merna’s clothing endlessly.”

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