A few seconds passed by as the coldness in her chest intensified. It felt like a chunk of ice was growing within her, and expanding and spreading to every inch of her body. She clawed at her throat as her breaths came out in gasps. Puffs of white escaped from her lips. She needed air, she craved it, she begged for it. But whatever that thing was, it didn’t allow such a thing. 

The creature swept closer to her until it was inches away from her face. Its neck screwed around and its arm rotated. A breath of coldness fanned her face. The glowing eyes bored into her. Her breath was nearly swept away with it. Tears formed in her eyes. Her fingers dug into the ground. Was this how she would die? Would she be killed by this nameless, formless, grotesque being? She wasn’t even sure what she was doing when she reached out for the creature. Her hand cut through air and dissolved the creature, but it didn’t disappear for long; it reappeared in the same position. Blackness dotted her vision and right when she thought she would pass out, the creature vanished into thin air. 

Like a glass dam shattering, all the air and warmth returned to her in a flood. She gasped and clung to her shoulders all at once. Her body shuddered and she convulsed on the ground as tears streamed down her face. What in the world was that? 

Maeva shivered as the warmth slowly trickled back into her. Was it fear that locked her in her place, or shock? She couldn’t move for a while and remained motionless on the ground. For a few moments, she remained like that. Finally, after what felt like hours, she heaved herself into a sitting position. 

“Maeva?” Darri called out, “Where are you?” 

She licked her lips and raised her hand, “O-Over here.” 

Darri came to her side almost immediately. His movements were lithe like a panther’s. Although it felt like an eternity, in reality, only a few minutes had passed by. “You had me worried there for a second. You vanished.” 

“I fell.” 

“Clearly.” He held out his hand. “Come on, let’s go back to Mother and Father. We’ve been playing here for too—,” his sharp eyes finally fell on her and he paused. The smile on his face slowly slipped away. His eyebrows came together, “Are you ok? You’re pale.” 

“I’m fine,” she murmured. A quick scan around them revealed that there were no other weird creatures nearby. If she hadn’t been so chilly before, she would’ve assumed it was her imagination. After all, how could such a creature exist? 

“Something wrong?” 

“Hm? Oh. No,” she waved her hand. “I was just thinking.” 

“You? Thinking? That’s a first.” He didn’t even attempt a smile and instead placed a hand on her forehead. “You sure you’re alright? You’re—,”

“Fine,” she said. “I’m fine.” 

His thumb grazed her cheek, “Were you crying?” 

“No.” 

“Maeva.”

“Maybe.”

“What happened?” 

“I told you. I fell.” 

He pursed his lips together. He could see right through her lies. But what was she supposed to tell him? That she was entrapped by a shadowy figure? That it felt like frost was growing on her chest and anchoring her? She couldn’t tell him that, because she couldn’t even explain it herself. 

“This might be the last time we talk to each other like this,” she said instead. It was better to let him believe that this marriage was the cause of her tears. It was better than facing the mystery of what that creature was. 

“I won’t let that happen.” 

“Who knows,” she murmured. 

“I’ll be king one day, you know.” 

“I know.” 

“And there’ll probably be moments when the king needs to speak to the prince of Jora. You understand where I’m going with this? So long as I’m king, I can come and see my sister.” 

It was a comforting sentiment, but it ultimately depended on whether or not her husband allowed her to have an audience with her brother. Because once she was married, her connection to her husband would be stronger than her ties with her blood family. If Prince Haruk gave her permission, she could see Darri and talk to everyone, but if not, she would never see them again. 

“Yes, but we won’t be able to talk like this,” she waved her hands around them. “So freely, and without a care.” 

He nodded, “That’s true, but then again, we’re not children anymore. We have responsibilities. The older we grow, the more responsibilities we’ll have to shoulder. I’m sure the day will come when neither of us will have time to frolic among flowers.” 

“That day will come, but it’s not today.” 

“So for now, sister, let’s enjoy ourselves, because who knows how long any of this will last.”