Page 2 of Kiss of Ice

The largest territory was Mirador, which encompassed the central and western parts of Nush’aldaam. The capital city was Arjhan, renowned throughout the empire for the beauty of its buildings and the wealth of its inhabitants. And, of course, for the famed Gilded Palace.

He eyed his home in the distance, so small from here it may as well have been a child’s toy, but easily visible as it caught the sun’s rays. It had stood for almost as long as Nush’aldaam had existed, constructed in the realm’s infancy when his Elhinn ancestors and their angel allies had finally overcome the forces of darkness.

His father had told him tales of those ancient and horrific wars. How, after endless battles and many sacrifices, the angels had borne away the evil spirits. And then they’d left Nush’aldaam to go… where? No-one knew. But they had entrusted the Elhinn to run the new empire. And so the throne had passed down from one generation to the next. And now it was his.

He gazed at the glow which always emanated from the palace, an effect wrought by the light reflecting from the golden lettering etched into the walls. It seemed brighter than usual, almost pulsing. It was a sight he would never tire of. He’d once feared he’d never see it again.

Turning his face to the east, he viewed the forests of Feyir with a peculiar mix of nostalgia and horror.

This was where he had been cursed and trapped. Left to roam the forest as a mindless beast. Transfigured and imprisoned in the body of a monster. He had lost half a century of his life in Feyir’s Forbidden Zone.

It wasn’t the only thing he’d lost.

Angrily, he looked away.

To the south lay Nurhan, an emerald jewel of valleys and pastures. And beyond it, the shining sapphire waters of the Ocean of Whispers.

Kam’s lip curled as he regarded the distant coastal territory. Salaq was still there. The jinn who had orchestrated the curse. Yet despite his betrayal he was still free. Still the lord of his fiefdom. And still smug in the belief that he was untouchable.

When Kam had first returned to Arjhan, he had wanted with every fibre of his being to challenge the Marid. To punish him for his treason. To imprison him in the darkest cell he could find and throw away the key. But wiser heads had prevailed.

Nush’aldaam didn’t need more discord and conflict. People were already divided because of the struggle for the throne which had arisen in his absence. It had almost come to war, certainlywouldhave if he hadn’t escaped his curse and returned when he did. Arresting the Lord of the Marid would only cause more uncertainty.

And besides, he had no evidence that Salaq had been behind his monstrous transformation. Only the word of a sorcerer who was now dead. But Kam knew the truth.

Salaq had condemned him to live as a monster for fifty years. But worse than that, the vile curse had meant his father had died alone and in grief.

Mazhab the Golden One had ruled for a thousand years. Kam’s memory of him was as a strong, vital man, sure of himself and one of the most powerful Elhinn that had ever lived. But though jinn were referred to as immortals, they didn’t live forever.

When Mazhab had lost his only son, the years had crowded in on him. He’d faded, become old and frail. He had passed away believing his heir had died before him.

Kam clenched his fists. His thirst for revenge was so intense that bitterness flooded his mouth.

I will make you pay, Salaq. I swear it. I will make you suffer like my father suffered.

The faintest whisper of sound behind him interrupted his thoughts. He was already smiling as he turned.

“Hello, my friend.”

A giant of a man hung in mid-air, one of the only other beings in Nush’aldaam powerful enough to fly. Shadow wings beat slowly, wisps of smoke curling from the tips. Intensely blue eyes raked over Kam.

“You look tired,” the dark newcomer rumbled. “Not sleeping properly? Or are you still working your way through the female population?”

“Is that any way to speak to your Emperor? It’s not my fault I’m irresistible to the ladies, Shadeed. Or should I say Shade? Honestly, I turn my back for ten minutes and you go and get yourself a cool nickname.”

“You are well aware that only my wife calls me that.”

Kam snorted.

“In your dreams. I hate to break it to you, big guy, buteveryonecalls you Shade. It’s perfect for someone so dark and ominous.”

“Always a pleasure to be insulted by you, your Majesty.”

“You make it too easy. How did you know I was here?”

“Your wings were reflecting the sun. I could see you all the way from Nurhan. You were twinkling like a gods-damned star.”

“Whereas you more closely resemble a large and grumpy bat.”

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