I pulled my expensive shawl tighter around me as I was pushed through the palace gates by the formidable crowd. Despite my confidence in the security of my Aural illusions, I had still seen the need to bring the silk shawl- one of the last remnants of my now inaccessible riches. Thanks to it, none of the wealthy Lessaenites around me gave me a second glance. It was amazing, really, how a single eye-catching accessory could draw everyone's attention away from an otherwise drab outfit. 

"Invitation, ma'am?" asked an Ice Guard at the door to the main hall. 

"Sorry?" I replied, confused. 

"Only those with royal invitations will be permitted in the hall. Common folk in the courtyard." 

"Yes, of course," I nodded, clenching my jaw as I turned back, fighting the current of the crowd as I pushed my way out through a side door to the courtyard. The Queen had grown intelligent indeed. She didn't allow herself to be near anyone but those she trusted the most, even at a public banquet! 

Something that felt like fear began to rise up in my stomach at the thought of how cautious, how perfectly all-knowing that the Queen had become. Yet, I was not truly scared. I could not be. I hadn't known fear since the day I first gazed upon the loyal warriors of the Flame as their new leader. 

No, time had given Saralee wisdom, but it had given that same wisdom to me. As for which one of us would use it more successfully...that was yet to be seen. 

I found myself a seat in the courtyard, at the end of a long, concrete bench that was almost entirely occupied. This way, I wouldn't have to sit anywhere near Aron and Rory. The last thing I wanted was for our faces to be connectable in any kind of footage. In Glaisse, you never knew where there would be a hidden camera. 

The courtyard, normally bare, had been decorated in full Iceheart splendor for the occasion. A colossal Aurascreen had been placed on the wall that separated it from the interior of the castle, giving us a full view of the proceedings inside the main hall. 

I was forced to bite my lip to keep myself from displaying an expression that would reveal my discomfort as I gazed upon the grand hall. The Queen and the Council sat at a high table that floated above everything else atop Aural cushions. The Assembly of Icehearts was just below them, on an ornamental dais. In front of them sat the remainder of the elite of both Lessaenes and Kilaenas, organized in five distinct sections according to their clan.

The setup had been changed over the two hundred and fifty years I had spent on Rhena, but not by much. The sight of it triggered a whole host of unwanted memories from the last time I had attended an Imperial banquet. 

I descended the steps to the dais, slowly, the sound of my jeweled heels on the marble floor making me feel quite conspicuous. I wore a simple but elegant green gown with diamonds along the neckline that matched both those in my hair and on my shoes.

The young King and Queen turned their heads for a moment, nodding in polite acknowledgment of my presence.

"Why, Eleanna, you look absolutely stunning tonight," the King smiled as I took my seat to his left. 

"Fenorel!" the Queen hissed. 

"What?" he rolled his eyes playfully. "Am I not allowed to say anything nice to another woman?"

"I'm sorry. I'm overreacting again," Saralee sighed, looking down at her untouched plate of salad. "You must all find me awfully annoying." 

"Oh, don't worry, my Queen," Fenorel smiled, kissing Saralee's hand. "You are no less than perfect." 

"So, Eleanna, how are you doing this evening?" Saralee asked, turning her attention to me. 

"As well as I can be, with all of the pressure we're experiencing in the Iceheart Department," I shook my head. "Although, that's nothing that you should concern yourself with." 

"If my clan is bothering you, I would be more than happy to teach them a lesson," Fenorel offered. 

"You are no longer affiliated with the Keeper clan," Saralee reminded him. "It would serve you well to remember that." 

"Of course," Fenorel nodded, looking slightly disappointed. However, this lasted for only a moment, before he regained his poise.

"What exactly is going on?" Saralee asked, looking mildly concerned. 

"Oh, nothing," I shook my head. "It's just the fact that my section of the department is in possession of a considerable amount of funds. Funds that the Keepers would rather see put to use in their Kilaenaian businesses and development efforts." 

"Well, you can tell them that money is staying right where it is," Saralee grinned. "I would much rather see my duvats put to good use by you and Selaeyah than watch them vaporize overnight in the hands of those wastrels." 

"Really? Oh, thank you, Saralee," I nearly laughed in relief. "You have no idea how many of my problems you just solved." 

"It's nothing," the Queen replied. "If I remember correctly, I told you ten years ago that I would always have your back, Eleanna. I do a lot of bad things, I'll admit, but I don't ever break promises. Especially not ones made to one of the most loyal Icehearts in the universe." 

"You rarely ever make them in the first place," I laughed. 

"Eleanna!" Saralee giggled, crossing her arms. 

"Don't worry," I smiled. "I'll always be watching your back, too." 

I sighed, crossing my legs, as the images faded from my mind. They were still so clear, as if that banquet had taken place only yesterday. It was almost impossible to believe how much had changed since then- how many bonds had been forged, and how many more had been broken. 

Collecting my thoughts, I promptly expelled all lingering notions of the past from my mind as Queen Saralee rose from her throne to greet the assembled dignitaries before her. I could not afford to be distracted, not now. One of the most important moments in White Hot Flame history was imminent.