Embers In The North
11

As the solstice moon dipped below the horizon, it cast a cascade of blue light across the capital city of Egranox. The streets were festooned with intricate ice sculptures that shimmered and sparkled under the moonlight.

Reyna stood in the towering watchtower in the Northern Wing that overlooked the heart of the city. Her eyes, the colour of a frozen lake under the blue moon, watched the bustling streets below. The Icehelms of Frostcall had gathered in droves, their faces adorned with masks, their breath visible in the frosty air.

From her vantage point, she could see the grand procession forming in the distance. Gleaming carriages carved from ice, pulled by powerful Snow Beatles adorned with intricate harnesses, were lined up and ready to roll. Each carriage was a work of art, sculpted with scenes from Frostcall’s history.

The spectacle was mesmerizing, with marching bands playing native melodies and dancers clad in elegant, ice-blue costumes twirling and spinning with grace.

The pinnacle was the Alpha’s majestic procession, featuring an elaborate float that stole the show. It was a marvel to behold—a magnificent ice castle, crowned by an enormous dragon, proudly displaying the House of Maynord banner. As the Alpha graciously acknowledged the cheering crowd with waves, his Omegas led a contingent of skilled Frostcall Fangs through a breathtaking display of combat prowess, leaving the audience in awe. Finally, Roth took the stage to deliver the opening speech, officially heralding the commencement of the solstices.

Following the grand parade, the mating ritual commenced. Females of age, marked with symbols of their lineage, painted themselves with a mixture of crushed herbs and snowmelt that shimmered under the moonlight. This distinctive mark enabled eager males to easily identify and approach potential mates.

Then, one by one, the males stepped forth, offering tokens of their affection to their chosen females. Against a backdrop of flute melodies and drum beats, couples engaged in an entrancing dance, their movements synchronized and fluid as they circled one another.

As the night wore on, pairs formed, guided by the potent influence of the solstices and Odin’s wisdom. Yet, beneath this celestial dance, Reyna sensed another force pulsing through the air—a scent, primal and intoxicating, weaving its own arcane magic.

The culmination of the night would be a shared feast, preceded by the newly mated pairs running together. It was a sealing ritual, a vow carved into their souls. Under the solstice moon’s gaze, the male would seal his bond to his mate with a mark; a rite forged in the crucible of fate.

But as the parade continued, Reyna’s thoughts strayed to the upcoming journey to Suncrest. She had entrusted her Fangs with the task of gathering all necessary supplies for the trip. While she observed the parade, an intense yearning for a mate welled up inside her. Then, with a sigh, she undid the braid and using her ribbons bundled up her long locks.

Reyna hadn't given it much thought before, but now she couldn't shake the suspicion that she was one of the few 24-year-olds in Frostcall who hadn't yet found a mate. She had never taken part in the solstice festivities. Yet, with Roth's presence, an unexpected pang of loneliness and a deep yearning for a mate washed over her.

Roth's direct proposal caught her off guard. Now, he occupied her thoughts entirely, and she dreaded this newfound desire more than she enjoyed it. If this yearning endured, the solstices would inexorably force her to him.

“Cursed solstices!” she muttered.

With a determined sigh, Reyna left the watchtower and briskly walked through the ramparts toward the west wing. Perhaps a run through the Hare Thicket, nestled close to Egranox’s borders, would clear her mind. The thicket, a wild maze of gnarled trees and underbrush, held its own rugged beauty.

Resisting the solstice's pull was proving even harder than she'd anticipated. The celestial energies coursed through her, almost overpowering her will.

Entering the western tower, she descended the spiral stairs into a quiet corridor. Only a handful of Gammas and guards were there, their presence a comforting backdrop to her thoughts. Each step echoed on the stone floor and in the surrounding stillness. Once she reached the end of the corridor, she turned left past the last guarded point in the west wing. Then, she walked to a narrow door that blended seamlessly into the stonework; this was the secret exit from the Citadel.

Once outside, she drew in a deep breath.

Under the enchanting glow of the moon, Reyna paused, her breath steadying as she prepared to shift. Closing her eyes, she surrendered to the ancient rhythm within her, feeling it flow through her veins. Power, like a symphony pulsating with the solstice’s energy.

A shiver rippled through her, from head to toe, as her body began its morph. Fur sprouted across her skin, spreading like a glistening snowfall. Limbs elongated and stretched, reshaping into her primal wolf form. Finally, her paws hit the ground with a satisfying thud, gripping the snow beneath.

In this form, the raw power of the solstice surged within Reyna, and she couldn’t help but let out a joyous howl, the sound echoing through the night.

She bolted, a streak of white cutting through the thicket, the wind rushing past, carrying the sweet scent of celebration. The Hare Thicket welcomed Reyna with its familiar, untamed beauty. But as she approached the final ridge, something caught her eye. The glacier cave nestled in the heart of the thicket was aglow with mesmerizing azure light mirroring the bright blue of her eyes when she shifted.

Reyna shifted back into her human form, staring at the cave in wide-eyed wonder. It was the first time she’d seen it radiate such a celestial hue.

Her ears pricked up at the sound behind her. Swiftly, she pivoted, eyes scanning the surroundings. Tilting her head, she spotted the familiar, large brown wolf; but his scent reached her first. In the same way as when she first saw him, a delightful tingle shot through her.

As Reyna watched Roth shift in front of her, she asked, “Shouldn't you be in the procession, Roth of Krelon?”

A nonchalant shrug was his reply. "I'm not one for the limelight. I prefer to watch from the shadows." A subtle tremor ran through him as he looked around.

Reyna could only guess that the solstice had driven him to seek her out; her howl couldn't have helped either. But, he was out of his mind coming after her in the aftermath of a storm, shaking like a leaf.

“Besides, my part in the festivities has concluded. Something more important caught my attention,” he continued.

She arched an eyebrow, sidestepping his pointed remark. “No Icehelm female caught your eye to add to your harem?” she teased.

“Not particularly,” he admitted. “I only have eyes for one. And I think she’s enough Icehelm trouble on my hands already!” He glanced past her. “What is that?”

“It’s a cave.” Her eyes sparkled as she watched him wrap his cloak tightly around himself, the frosty air nipping at his porcelain cheeks.

“Let’s get you out of the cold before you turn into an icicle.” Reyna turned towards the cave, waving him along.

She led him inside, and to her surprise, he did not protest. Instead, he followed her quietly, probably seeking relief from the howling wind outside. Inside, the same deep blue light cast an ethereal glow around the familiar cave. This was the first time she’d seen it like this; she’d been to the ice fortress a hundred times before.

There was nothing she loved more than the sound of the babbling brook winding its way beneath the frozen floor. A close second were the hundreds of icicles that clung to the dome like raindrops frozen in time.

In the middle, Roth stood with awe in his eyes, momentarily forgetting the cold. She lowered herself to sweep the snow away, then used her Ember powers to start a circle of fire. The flames danced, creating a warm, inviting pocket of heat that caught Roth’s attention.

She gestured for him to join her inside the fire ring, a soft smile gracing her lips.

“I’m grateful.” Roth’s voice was soft, a whisper carried by the shadows dancing around them. He crossed the circle, lowering himself gracefully in front of her. Then he extended his hands towards the fire, welcoming its warmth.

Reyna watched him, the flames casting flickering shadows across his features, igniting a flame within her. She dared to imagine the touch of his lips, the heat of his hands against her skin and her own body tingling with anticipation.

His mismatched eyes met hers, drawing her in like a moth to a flame. Roth slipped off his cloak, placing it gently on the cold, stony floor. No matter how hot her Ember burned, it could never thaw anything in the North.

“Do you come here often?” he asked, sitting back down.

Her eyes remained on the fire, its dance mirroring her struggle against her desire for him. Without even looking at him, she felt his presence, his heat.

“Yes,” Reyna admitted, the sound barely audible over the fire’s whispers. She resisted the urge to meet his gaze, fearing what she might replace there. “You followed me, why?”

When her gaze met his, he smiled and moved so quickly that she gasped. Before she could react, she was lying on his cloak, his body searing into her.

“Yes, I did,” he replied.

Reyna’s breath hitched as he carefully slipped the ribbon from her hair, letting his fingers sink into the silken strands. Down her cheek, his finger traced a path, and her body responded, leaning into his touch as if it was the only thing anchoring her in place.

She slowly rose to sit, prodding Roth back, their gazes locked in a transcendent embrace. Perhaps she would finally be able to enjoy the solstice with a male worthy of her. Leaning in, she traced her finger along the scar on his cheek, the space between them vanishing.

In the pools of his eyes, she saw the reflection of worlds beyond, a cosmic dance that momentarily stole her breath away.

As his touch lingered, drawing her in, she leaned closer; he met her halfway. Perhaps it was the peak of solstice’s fire, a blaze that would fade with the dawn.

Their lips met in a gust of unnatural wind. It wasn’t the searing sensation she had imagined it to be; it was something deeper, more profound and electrifying, blasting right down to her toes.

In the haze of passion, her hands traced the contours of his chest, her fingers replaceing the rugged edges of his scars beneath his shirt. Beneath her palm, his heart thumped steadily with a sense of security, and she sighed into the kiss. Similarly, his large, calloused hands explored her body with the same urgency as she did his; despite the barrier of her Fang suit.

Grabbing her waist, Roth lifted her up to straddle him, slipping his fingers into her hair as their bodies pressed together. The scent of their mingled desire filled the cave and Reyna felt his hardness poke her. She shuddered, and his heat finally seeped through the fabric of her suit, making her moan against his mouth.

A tremor rippled through her again, and she broke the kiss, her breath coming in ragged gasps. With almost inhuman speed, Roth set her back on his cloak, his gaze never leaving hers. She ran her tongue over her lips as she watched him.

Slowly, she eased her arms from him.

“You’re… unsullied,” he murmured against her neck and breathed her scent. Then he growled, and the sound sent shivers down her spine.

When he reared his head to look at her, she grabbed his shirt and pulled him into another heated kiss.

She longed to feel him, bare and pressed against her, to drown herself in his scent. Roth’s lips trailed down her throat, nibbling gently, and she arched into the sensation, a low moan escaping her.

Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his as he deftly slid down her suit zip. The warmth of his smile sent a shiver down her spine, and her skin tingled under his gaze. As the zip trailed lower, a fiery trail followed its path, her skin igniting under his touch, just as she had anticipated. Her Ember blazed to life, the flames of desire licking at her core.

Then he paused. “You’re like a searing furnace.”

Roth raised an inquisitive brow. It was likely because Icehelms typically experienced a drop in body temperature during sex, whereas her response was entirely different.

She exhaled a deep sigh and quipped, “You should feel me when I’m really fired up.”

A chuckle rumbled from his chest in response and she leaned forward to trace her fingers along the curves of his lips, prompting Roth to kiss them tenderly. Then, his lips trailed back up her arm, returning to hers, and he simply gazed at her.

A fleeting expression flickered in his eyes before he drew back, a soft sigh escaping his lips as he settled to sit. He muttered something in the Redfall tongue, leaving Reyna to wonder what happened.

Reyna sat up, drawing closer to him until their breaths mingled. His gaze dropped to her lips, his throat working hard as he swallowed. Then, he rose, leaving her to wonder why he was fighting the pull. Anxiety overshadowed his longing, an innate fear of what would happen if they gave in to this desire. It was too fast, too intense, and he wasn’t willing to gamble with it.

She understood.

“I cannot do this, not yet anyway,” he confessed under a breath. “We’re bound together on this journey to Suncrest until you give me an answer and I do not want us to engage in anything that could turn it sour.”

“So, whether or not we… engage, depends on whether I accept you. Is that what you’re saying?” she asked, studying his face.

“You’re a Moltenroar Luna and-”

She raised a brow, interrupting him. “This was supposed to be a one-off surrender to this insatiable solstice, wasn’t it?” Deep down, she knew that wasn’t the case. Their attraction was undeniable, and the solstice only heightened it.

After clearing his throat, he picked up his cloak and shook it off. She eyed him, amused, as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other with a soft chuckle.

With a sigh, he swept his brown cloak around him. “I think we both know it’s more than that. You’re not a one-off, Reyna. And as much as we’d like to pretend your choice holds weight in any of this, the irrefutable truth is that you are mine.”

When he said ‘mine,’ Reyna felt her heart tighten with rage. Her fists clenched, and her body tensed as she tried to hold back the anger bubbling inside her. Keeping her gaze steady, she watched as his eyes searched her face for any sign of agreement or understanding.

“You’re not just mine,” Roth continued. “You’re Luna of Aupheadia. And whether you like it or not, we are bound by fate and blood.”

That was an irrefutable truth and Reyna’s wolf stirred within her, recognizing Roth’s Alpha claim. It both fuelled her yearning and stoked the flames of her defiance.

“I’m my own wolf,” she said as she stood up. “Nobody owns me.”

Roth stepped closer. “I don’t seek to own you, Reyna. I want to stand by your side, to protect our kingdom. The solstice may have ignited this connection, but it’s our choices that will shape our future.”

What he said was true. His wisdom was beyond doubt - she had to give him that. Still, she remained wary of him, even though he made it hard to grudge him for being a Maynord.

Standing in the cave, they listened to the echoes of the festivities in the distance.

“I believe this is a good night for you to decide; there’s no need to prolong this. Will you accept me as your mate?”