It took a while - she didn't know how long since there was neither day nor night - until she could move normally. The improvement was much faster than building up muscles, but sufficient to make her impatient.
After she could move her limbs just fine, she discovered one big problem: there was no ground under her feet. When she moved her legs, it didn't propel her forward like it would on earth. She tried swimming motions, fluttering like a bird and everything that crossed her mind, but it didn't work.With a pout, she crossed her arms and pondered what else there was to try. Now, that she had worked off the sleepiness, staying still was very boring. The space around also didn't change much. She had noticed some patterns in the colors already. There were some who only passed by, mostly grey, red, and green. They never stayed long, floating at the edges of her vision. Then there was blue. Blue was the main color in this space. Though it was also floating in several parts andThe wind was stronger this time, almost feeling solid. Surprised, Katherine noticed that the surface was neither flat nor pressing against everything it could reach, like real wind would. This was more like a thing out of wind that was tightly holding her hand.Katherine was excited. Finally, the wind didn't vanish the moment it occurred. She still couldn't grab it, but it was not so far off as the other times. She closed her eyes to analyze the feeling more. What shape did it have? What temperature?Wind usually felt cold, but this one was slightly warm. It made her curious. When she pressed it, her hand was repelled stronger the more force she used. She assumed that she could still press through it if she wanted, but was afraid the wind would vanish if she did so. So, instead, she tried to feel it up. Since she had to struggle out of the wind's grasp elsewise, she used her other hand for it.The surface was smoother than the side that held her, almost as flat as a
Nathaniel's head shot up when he saw the light out of the corners of his eyes. It happens again, he thought with alarm and tried to extricate his hand from Katherine's. He still didn't know why her magic would react to his touch, but he doubted it was a good sign. Magic usage made sleepy and Katherine had slept too long already.However, Katherine's grip had gotten stronger and before long there was another change that stopped his movements altogether. Disbelieve and happiness surged in him, slowly drawing a brilliant smile on his face."Katherine! You woke up!"This must be how a puppy feels when its owner is finally back, the sarcastic part of him commented, but Nathaniel was too happy to care. Eagerly, he brushed the hair out of her forehead, so he could see her violet eyes in all their splendor. They were half-opened, the lids still heavy with sleepiness. To refrain from startling her, he lowered his voice. "How are you feeling, my dear? Does it hurt anywhere?"
Katherine sucked her breath between her teeth, but Nathaniel already continued as if it were nothing. "As far as I was told, Alexander Ymir Icefall was the worst kind of husband one could imagine. After he succeeded the throne, he was also the worst kind of King, though his reign was so short hardly anyone ever mentions it. The only thing he is remembered for up till now, is his genius in magic theory and his magic inventions. He invented an apparatus that measures the possibility of awakening magic power, the magicmeter. It is so costly that it's only used in the Icelands though, so maybe you never heard of it... or have you?" Katherine shook her head. You are diverting from the topic, she wanted to say, but there was hardly a time when Nathaniel spoke so much, let alone out of his free will. So, she let it be. Besides, she was curious of the reason. It seemed almost like her ever-steadfast, unmoving husband was nervous. "Never mind then." Nathaniel's hand had long since let go of K
Katherine's heart pounded rapidly when Nathaniel gave their empty plates to the servants outside. While eating, Nathaniel had distracted her by recounting the events that brought them here, in a safe-house on the countryside. Only when the time neared that they would sleep together - next to each other, Katherine reminded herself - did the previous nervousness return. "I need to change", Nathaniel said. "I'll be right back." Though Katherine wanted to stop him, he was already out the door before she could open her mouth. Gloomily, she sank into the covers. Would he use this excuse to get away? 'If he isn't back in fifteen minutes, I'll go after him', Katherine decided, determined. She was sure Nathaniel would comply if she otherwise ran around the house in her half-recovered state. Though she felt fine, he seemed to be worried about her nonetheless. Counting the seconds, she got up to do her own wash-up before bed. When she passed the wardrobe, her thoughts
This chapter is even hotter than the last one. Read at your own risk ;) ~Freakzilla _____________ The offer alone was insanity. Every touch, every gaze at her aroused face, would make it harder to resist until at last he would give in and even touch her skin. Maybe not today, but soon enough. Nathaniel knew this, but he couldn't stop himself. Why? Surely it wasn't because every fiber of his being longed for this woman. No, if it were just that, he might have braced through it somehow. He had done so before, when she kissed or hugged him. What was truly unbearable weren't his own feelings, but the disappointment in her face. Every time he had to push her away, he saw it. He always assured himself that it was alright, because she herself wouldn't come this close if she knew about his curse. Alas, she knew now, and it didn't change anything. She stayed close despite the risk, even asked for him to touch her. She wanted him so much that she disregarded all
Through the buzz in her ears, Katherine hardly heard him, and her mind was unable to piece the words together. She was lost, out of control, but though she knew she should be scared, all she could think about was how good it felt. And that it was her man, her wonderful husband, that made her feel like this. While his fingers played with her, her eyes never left him. He was such a godly creature, a feast for her eyes. Especially now when he was lost just like her, his clothes a mess, and emotions all out in the open. "Nathaniel!" She gasped, when suddenly his hand was beneath her underwear, parting her folds to gain better access to the bundle of nerves below. His fingers hit the entrance of her tunnel, and her hips moved on instinct, rubbing up and down his fingers. She let out a little scream, then clasped her legs around him, in fear he would move away suddenly. He did not. Instead, she could feel now that his own body moved with her hips, as if he would pump i
In the morning, Nathaniel awoke from knocks on his door. Hoping it was not Katherine, since he didn't want to fight so early in the morning, Nathaniel opened it a crack. "What?" In front of him stood Aston, but he was not the normal sunny boy. Instead, there stood the scowling someone-just-woke-me-up grumpy version of a brother. "Message. From Dad." "Since when does he need you to play the messenger? Doesn't he have servants?", Nathaniel asked, amused at the unwillingness his brother radiated. Aston threw his hands in the air with annoyance. "Somehow, Dad thinks you would be more inclined to listen when it is me talking to you. Surely, it has nothing to do with you two screaming yourselves hoarse at the last meeting. Anyhow, can you just let me get over with so I can sleep again?" With a raised brow, Nathaniel looked at Aston as if to say 'who would want to talk to you when poison is oozing out of your every pore?', yet remembering his responsibility, he onl
Thinking back to this outburst of the King, Nathaniel got enraged all over again. The declaration that he was 'only still alive because the King willed it so' had been the start of a furious argument that ended with the King nearly collapsing and Nathaniel storming out of his chambers, convinced he would kill the man if he had to look at his righteous face one second longer. Somewhere in between, the King had dropped the bomb that he wanted Nathaniel to take over the kingdom, now, that the situation was at its worst anyway. To Nathaniel, it sounded like the King wanted to shrink from his responsibilities after one tiny setback. Well, maybe losing his ability to walk was more than a 'tiny' setback, but still no reason to give up. Especially now, that the Icelands needed a good, trusted ruler more than ever with that crazy woman trying to take over the reins. Really, what a glorious idea! "What would you say if you were in my position?", Nathaniel asked Aston instead of
Five years later"Your Holiness - Uh, ah, Majesty, I mean!"Leaning on the newly-built rails atop the dome of the palace, with the view of the Capital in the background, Katherine scolded lightly: "Shht, Hazel, she just fell asleep."In her arms rested a baby, maybe a few months old, with a tuft of black hair and fair white skin. If she opened her lids, angelic blue eyes would blink up innocently at the viewer.Hazel's head appeared at the end of the staircase leading to the roof. Apologetically, she bit her lip and whispered. "I'm sorry, your Majesty. A letter arrived from Dragsa, and Prince Patrick hurt his knee while playing. He's on his way here.""Dragsa...," Katherine muttered and stretched out a hand to take it. "I wonder what they want. They were very quiet in the latter years."Lowering her head, she took a glance at the paper. Instantly, her brows furrowed, later followed by a deep sigh. "I almost expected it. What a shame."Her gaze wandered to the west, in the direction of
For once, the third wall belonging to the palace let nobles and commoners alike pass. They flooded in in masses and coagulated on the streets and the grass field before the dome. Everywhere, where they could hope to catch a little glimpse of what was about to happen in the throne hall.In front of the dome, Nathaniel dismounted and reached his hand out to Katherine to help her off as well. For a second, Katherine remembered how Pete helped her when she mounted Bell for the first time, and her smile grew shaky. Pete and Jack. One retired after suffering grievous wounds, and the other fell in battle when the undead attacked the palace to free the Queen, Emilian, and Helmina.The burial was in the time of Katherine's long travel back but she and Nathaniel visited the grave two days ago. Still, she could not believe that her funny, one-eyed companion was truly gone. It was delusional but she could not shake the thought that if only she'd been at the Capital, her power might have saved him
Weeks later, the couple reached the Capital and was welcomed with much tom-tom. Aston, it seemed, was back on his feet. The new scar parting his right brow even suggested that his exaggerated description of a battle with the best undead swordsman in history might be more than just bragging. Infuriatingly, however, the scar made him even more handsome, and he confidently put it on display at any opportunity he got. Especially in front of the ladies.Shortly after their return, King William officially announced his retirement in favor of his nephew. Though the commoners were confused at Nathaniel's sudden emergence, the prepared aristocrats soon placated them, and the rumors of his activities as the illusive sixth General did the rest.Katherine was surprised to hear that word of her ability had elevated her picture in the icelandic society to somewhat of a saintess. King William obviously prepared on this end as well, and thus nobody dared suggest that a dragsean noble was unfit to be
The ship of the king of the Glaciar Coast was a gigantic vessel with a kind of lofty wretchedness to it. In fact, Katherine thought that the silver ornaments on the dark wood looked like bones, and if the sail had been a bit more tattered, the "Charon" would've been the perfect ghost ship. When she mentioned it to Lady Brandon in jest, the sister of said king laughed out loud."Oh, he'd love to hear that! If his crew wasn't ridiculously superstitious, I bet he'd search the whole ocean floor for a sunken vessel to serve him!""Is that so?" Katherine lifted her brows, perplexed. "Isn't it already enough that it can fly?"Granted, the hovering of the gigantic vessel wasn't completely 'flight' as the ship was only lifted by the water the Glaciar Coast's mages manipulated with much afford. It could also only be implemented for short periods close to a water source. For the unsuspecting viewer, however, it looked exactly as if the ship was flying.It was this practical fea
Katherine woke up feeling fresh and well-rested. The plush cushions under her head were like soft clouds, and the blanket bore just the right amount of heat. The air smelled of salt and herbs, an unusual but welcoming combination."Hmmm." With a blissful sigh, Katherine stretched. She didn't feel so good since they resided in the hut in the Icelands with King William, his mistress, and son. Did she only dream of that long, arduous journey to a mountain in Dragsa?"You're awake." Her eyes snapped open when she heard that voice. It was undoubtedly the deep timbre of her husband, Nathaniel. And there he was, sitting next to the bed in a cushioned chair, a gentle gaze in his eyes.Eyes that rested strangely deep in his pale face. A face that was bare of the slight smile that sometimes tugged on the corners of his mouth when he looked at her. Instead, he seemed solemn, exhausted, plagued by a deeply hidden sadness that he maybe wanted to hide. Yet to her eyes, his feelings were an open
Deep satisfaction brought some power to Katherine's exhausted body, yet she did not like the feeling at all. The guilt over hitting an innocent civilian clouded her mind, together with the question if it was the right thing to do. Trapping Ethan in the other dimension was too easy. It didn't feel right.Days and nights she'd dreamed of how to take her revenge, how she would torture him and finally look into his eyes when he died. Now, she'd acted impulsively, and the results were anything but what she imagined. Yet, should she have let the chance slip by?When she'd heard him giving orders, she'd finally stopped in her path because she felt like a coward who ran from the only real battle she'd sworn herself to fight. At first, she only wanted to observe and hid where the canyon's wall stood out a bit, just in earshot of Ethan. But the opportunity was too good. She didn't know how her smart and cunning cousin could act so dumb. It didn't match his usual approach, yet maybe
It was Ethan. He stood just outside the rift, his usual harmless smile on his face, and the hands hidden in the pockets of his dark trousers. "Kitty. Fancy meeting you here."If Katherine had been raised in any lower class than aristocracy, she would've spit in front of his feet. Even so, her face soured as if she'd bitten into a raw lemon. "I don't... fancy it at all."Stepping aside to give the rest of the dark stream free access to the rift, she noticed that Ethan'd brought two helpers who lingered in the back nervously. The white lab coats outed them as researchers. She glanced them up and down and decided not to ask where Ve was. After all that happened today and with her magic nearly depleted, she wanted nothing more than walk away from this whole mess.So, she did just that. Turned around and walked along the canyon that was now almost free of the dark substance.After a second of surprise, Ethan called after her: "Hey, don't you want to know what I'll do with this? Aren't
Meanwhile, the Duke of Sleipnir got comfortable on the edge of the cave. Shortly after he'd disposed of the corpses by sending them into the rolling dark river below, some of Loki's staff came over. They were shocked to see only one person left in the cave. "Um, your Excellency, where... where is the leader?""Hm?" Ethan turned and blinked. "Oh... he... how should I put this? He was too enthusiasistic when he saw his experiment finally succeed. Look, the brilliant result of all his hard work is below this cliff. He didn't want to wait anymore and took everyone to follow him down. Which might have been the wrong decision, so to say."The staff carefully crept closer to the cliff, and when he saw the darkness below, though it was more a creek than a mighty river now, his eyes widened. "Do you mean to say the leader is...?""Dead." Ethan nodded unemphathetically. "Most likely."Unexpectedly swiftly, the staff got over his shock. For a moment, he pondered, then asked: "But the experiment
"Ahhh! It hurts! It hurts! You're tearing me apart!" Nathaniel felt the unusual urge to roll his eyes. He never knew that his magic was such a sissy. First, it asked for his help, and now it screamed like a pig on the slaughter bench because of a little pain. And why could it even feel pain? Its body was nothing but insidious black smoke that appeared like a black liquid in its compressed form. There were no tendons, no bones, no flesh, and no nerves - in short, nothing that could hurt. "Shall I stop pulling then?", Nathaniel asked sarcastically in his mind. Well, if that magic of his wanted to go by itself, all the better for him. "No, no, no! Please don't let go! Don't let goo-oo-ouuuuuuch!" It felt like mentally pulling on an elastic band, Nathaniel decided. Somewhere where he couldn't see, something else was pulling the other end, turning the band longer and longer. It got harder for him to hold on with each passing second. Then, with a last loud howl fr