I watched quietly as snow slowly fell outside the carriage window. It was beautiful, with its delicate silence that seemed to blanket everything around it. But, despite it's ethereal beauty, there was something undoubtedly dangerous about it. I shivered, not from the cold but from utter fear of what awaited me.

I was riding with a few personal servants for the queen, all also to be given as gifts permanently or just for our stay. I honestly do not think I have spoken in the past few days. It's taken us about 4 days to get to the winter court, but every single moment has filled my heart with even more and more pain.

You'd think that seeing him a second time would make it easier, or at least no different, but every single moment had me almost wheezing in pain in my chest. It was actual hell, and I wanted nothing better to be able to speak to him to see if he knew how to stop it. But I made no motion to show the pain to anyone.

I continued to watch out the window as we climbed the winding paths up the mountains, fear beginning to crawl over me. How have we not slipped and fallen to our ice deaths?

Suddenly, as we rounded a bend, the winter court's palace was in full view. I couldn't contain a gasp at the sheer size of it. It was extremely different from the sunny palace of the summer court. This building screamed power and strength. It's walls were white from snow, and the windows were darkly tinted. It was extremely medieval looking, but no medieval people would be able to create a building of such prowess.

"Neart thar gach rud," a girls voice breathed, reflecting all the shock i no doubt had covering my face.

"Excuse me?" I said, speaking for the first time.

"Strength over everything, it's their motto. The summer courts' is revelry over everything, or spraoi thar gach rud. Spring is beauty over everything, fall is knowledge over everything."

I nodded, leaving those thoughts to be pondered over later. My eyes remained glued to the castle as we drew nearer and nearer to it.

The carriage abruptly stopped, sliding to a halt right in front of a massive wooden door of the castle. I watched in fear as the doors opened to a towering figure, taller and larger than I had ever seen burst out. Irish wolfhounds and actual wolves surrounding his feet, growling aggrily. I was unable to see his face, as it was hidden behind a fur hood.

Queen Étain climbed out of her carriage, and looked beautiful but deadly in her floor length white fur cloak. She walked towards the man, not a trance of fear in her eye, and outstretched her hand. An offering of peace. I hope the man kills her on the spot. I thought to myself. The bruises our little run in the other day with her had only purpled and turned vivid shades of green. I saw scars on the faces of her maids, and handprints on the other girls, and I knew I had barely suffered anything at her hands.

The girls in my carriage climbed out one by one, leaving me to be the last. I pulled the white veil over my head, hiding my face. It was a sign of purity, a sign I was a virgin. It's funny she never asked me if I was one, knowing I can not knowingly lie. But she didn't. And I'm very glad for that. No matter how much I regret my actions the week before I left for Ireland, I couldn't take it back.

As soon I was out of the carriage, a bitter wind blew out of clouds, slapping and burning any exposed skin.

"Sophie," Étain demanded, calling my name towards her. I clenched my jaw, my heart going a million miles a minute. I walked towards her, those damn bells ringing with every step I took.

I kept my head down and refused to flinch and the queen grabbed my shoulders, bringing me to stand right in front of her.

"King Alvar, I present to you, a gift of purity, a symbol of our future as allies," her voice was soft and sultry as ever.

All this king said in return as a grunt of approval, and I was pushed forward, following behind him quickly. I couldn't help but look around as we walked into the main throne room. The inside of the castle was a stark contrast to the world outside. The inside was dark stone, lit by torches on the walls.

"Queen Étain, a maid will lead you and your ladies to your wing. Another will take your gifts to get ready for this evening. I expect to see everyone there," King Alvar said, his gruff and deep voice dripping with authority and power.

Through my veil, I glanced between the King and Queen. Both of them held immeasurable power, and were dangerous in their own right. But both in wildly different ways. The queen used her power of seduction to hold the command of people, twisting their words. This king seemed to rule with physical power.

"I will see you this evening," Queen Étain drawled, letting her fair hand slide down his chest in a suggestive manner, before walking down the hallway, were two terrified maids stood, waiting to escort her to her wing.

As soon as she left, he threw back his hood, and hand his hands through his hair. I watched in awe. From his voice, and the few words I heard about him, I never imagined him to look so... handsome. He had extremely thick, dark brows that framed the sharp edges of his face and his amber eyes. He had obviously thick, longer brown hair pulled back from his face. His jaw was sharp, and was covered with a bit of a shadow of facial hair. He seemed like he was in his mid twenties. Despite the extreme amount of layers and fur to aid the cold, you could see his impossible body.

I flashed my eyes to the ground. What are you doing? This man is a monster. He must be. He's one of them.

"A maid will escort you to your rooms, I will see this evening," His vice was gentler than before, and I simply nodded, and followed the maid out. I had no idea what that evening would bring, but I was not excited about it.

WOOOOOOOO I only have two more days of school! I am so ready for summer! (not that it will be any different cause of corona) When do y'all get off for school? or have a summer break if youre in a work that has one.