Mila of the Polar: Part Two (special preview)

There is a row of mountain peaks that come between the Polar at the Northern Seas. They are so jagged and sharp, so covered with ice and snow, that they look like teeth bearing down upon the earth. They had been called the Fangs because of this. The Fangs are so treacherous that no one has ever been able to pass them and live. Ages ago my ancestors tried and failed miserably. It became such an obsession for one former czar that his own family had him killed in order to preserve the integrity of the Polar.

The mountains have existed for as long as the goddess has. Some have even preached that she is resting somewhere within those frozen peaks. I have dreamed of them since I was a little girl. I would stand beneath them and gaze up as far as my eyes would take me. I would then look down at the world below me, somehow having traversed up the mountainside in an instant. There would be a cave behind me with icicles so large and thick they clogged the throat of the passage. I could hear them snapping and cracking, hissing as they fractured and chipped. I would always wake up by then though, and those dreams were far and few between.

Although, since my encounter with Sanguis, my dreams have returned and they will not leave me. I have gone further into the mouth of the cave, walking over the shattered remains of the icicles. I am dressed all in red, which is new. Before I never noticed what I wore. But this red is hard to ignore. I go further and further into the cave each night, pushing my body between the ice that remains. There are these strange flickering lights that travel ahead of me. They dance and sigh, cooing softly into my ear as they illuminate the path ahead of me. These little dancing lights, perhaps even living creatures, make me feel safe and loved. Such a strange sensation from such an innocuous thing. I hear breathing, deep, slumbering breaths, and then I awake beside my husband.

I have never put much thought into my dreams. My great-grandmother insisted they meant something, and as much as I adore her, she has a few bats in her belfry. Although now I am starting to believe her.

I woke up chilled to the bone, feeling as though my hands had been wrapped around the icy fangs within the cave. I have not felt quite right since returning from Sanguis’ keep, but I was alive so that was all that mattered. If I breathed I could tear him down. Luckily, I had one of his bricks in the Squall.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Dhaval asked with concern.

I tightened my fur robe around me. “Nicolai is enough. I want you to take care of Aksha and gather all the information you can from her. I'm sure he’s told her things in confidence during their time together. Not to mention she must have information on Bastat we could use.”

“I would think you’d take your father,” Dhaval murmured. “Why Nicolai?”

“My father is too frightening for some. Noclai has kind eyes and a sweet face, people trust him. We go together like bitter coffee and cream.”

Dhaval sighed. “You are not bitter coffee.”

I smirked up at him. “Then what am I?”

“Strong liquor,” Dhaval said without hesitation.

I reached out and patted his cheek. “Good answer.” He leaned down to kiss me. Ever since we made love again it has been hard to keep my hands off of him. Although it was a concern at first, I was grateful to have him here with me now.

I met up with Nicolai on the ground floor, and I noticed he had a nervous expression upon his face. I took hold of his hand as we made our way to the Squall.

“What’s wrong, dear brother?”

Nicolai squeezed my hand. “I don’t want you to get too upset.”

I gave him the eye.

“This is a big deal, Mila. Having Edgragon is like having one of Sanguis’ eyes. There is so much we can get from him. If you get too upset, we could terrify him into never speaking.”

I smiled lovingly at him. “I appreciate how you think of me, but I will be fine. I know what I am doing, and I know what I am going to ask of him. Besides, that is why I have you. The goddess knew what she was doing when she had us born together.”

Nicolai’s smile returned. I hated seeing him with any expression besides the happy, boyish one that always graced his face. Nicolai was my sunshine.

The Squall was the underground fortress of the royal palace. For generations it had served as one of the most impenetrable places in all the empire. No one could get in or out without the proper know-how. Of the two entrances, one was located in the palace, and the other was frozen over save for a month during the spring. If it ever needed to be opened there was a special mechanism that could melt the ice.

The Squall had been used as a dungeon, home, meeting place, everything one could think of. During ages past it had even served as the throne room, at another point the center of a debauched sex cult. But always, it was used for safety.

Guards stood around Edragon’s cell. Theys stepped away as Nicolai and I approached. One guard brought forth a table and chair so I could sit before the bars of the cell. Edragon sat inside, his back to the wall and his hands folded in his lap. He stood while I sat, approaching the bars and looking out. How I hated his face. Aksha could make all the pleas she wanted, but I doubt I could squash the entirety of my anger for this fool.

“Your highness,” he murmured.

My lip curled. “Do not speak to me unless you are spoken to. You will answer my questions, and if I sense any hesitation I will have my brother enter the cell.”

Nicolai put his hand upon my shoulder. He had no desire to do that.