Fated Fairy Tales - Cold As Ice

Cold as Ice - Chapter 4

Oras POV

I took a small bite of the cereal bar Rhea handed me for breakfast. I may grimace as it tastes of cardboard. But I’ll be grateful if that’s all I get.

“My stomach’s going to think my throat has been cut,” Benson says after he ate his bar in two bites. I guess he’s still hungry.

“Don’t worry, bro. We’re going shopping. We’ll get you some proper food.” Rhea laughs, causing him to grimace again. Guess he doesn’t enjoy shopping either.

“Come with me,” Ellie says to me. She guides me outside our ice home. As we walk, Ellie questions me about my parents. To which I have no answers. I told her about growing up with my aunts in England and how Millicent attacked my home. “That’s how I ended up at Beta Academy with my Aunt Jo.” I then told her about my time at Beta Academy and learning I was a shifter. How my life had never been the same since Millicent attacked my home in England.

“Seems your parents went to great lengths to keep you safe,” Ellie remarks as she takes my hand reassuringly. Ellie then asked me about my elemental power. In terms of when I first noticed it, how it has grown, and the effect it has had on me.

I told her how I accidentally discovered it and how, when I am touching the water, I feel safe. How I had been getting better at making it come to me. “But on the day Millicent attacked, I did something I had never done before. I used it as a shield and a weapon.”

“How did you feel?”

“I was so angry, so very angry. The power I felt was unbelievable. It made me feel like nothing could stop me or stand in my way. I was so determined to get to Millicent and Marco.”

“I understand,” Ellie says. But how could she? “Your emotions ramped up your power. You believed you were invincible.”

“That is exactly how I felt. But the pair of them practically laughed in my face and called me pathetic. I wasn’t strong enough,” I admitted.

“Your powers weren’t strong enough, then. But that will change soon. That’s why she wants you now while you’re weaker. If she can capture you now, she can keep you sedated and captive until your birthday.” Ellie takes a breath. “Millicent isn’t the only threat you will face between now and then. You need to be careful.”

I stop walking, as I’m confused. Ellie must see it. “You can use your powers for good or evil. This is the reason I found you. To support and guide you, regardless of where your path leads.”

“I’m still confused. Path?”

Ellie looks at me. “Once you get full access to your power, what will you do? You can lead a normal life and help your pack, your kingdom. Or you can allow the power to consume you, make you believe you are a goddess among shifters. Become the world’s next threat, the next Millicent.” What? Millicent is dangerous. A murderer. I never want to be like her. I just want to be Ora. That is good enough for me.

She takes another breath. “No matter which path you choose, Millicent wants to absorb your power. Now I am strong, but not strong enough to defeat her on my own. That’s why I need allies.”

“What will you do when we get rid of Millicent and Marco?” I asked positively.

“I will return home. I may not be a queen when I return, but I will have what matters most to me, my sister.” Ellie smiles at me. “Does that mean you will help me save the world?”

I nod my head. How could I not? She looks around and smiles. “We don’t have long, which is why Dragons Valley is perfect to train you. Few witches dare to venture here.” She waves her arm. She points out the sparseness of the area at the volcano’s base.

“Why is that?”

“The winters are extreme. Witches don’t like the cold. But it never bothered me.” She grins. “The volcanic activity and harsh weather make the soil practically unusable.”

“Meaning you can’t grow much,” I finished off her sentence. This place would kill Aunt Jayne. She loved to grow things. Especially herbs. “I get it. But why call it Dragon Valley?”

Ellie points to a hole in the ground, then another and another. “Watch,” she tells me.

I didn’t have to wait long before steam started coming from the holes. Suddenly, the ground started shaking and water just burst out. The tallest must have reached at least 30 feet.

“I read a book not long before finding this place. It had a dragon in it who lived on a volcano. I called this place Dragon Valley because of the volcano and the geysers. It also sounds pretty cool,” Ellie says, smirking.

“How are you going to train me?” I asked her.

Ellie walks 20 feet from the geyser we had just seen erupt. “Watch.” I stand by her side, waiting to see what she wants to show me. We must stand there for over ten minutes before steam appears from the ground. As before, the earth shakes, which is when Ellie raises her hands. Then, as the water shoots from the ground. I watch it as Ellie strikes a funny pose and directs her palms toward the ice fountain of water. I’m watching it freeze, fall, and shatter. All within seconds.

“I can turn liquids into ice.” She says, showing me her hands. “Originally, I could only turn it to ice if I touched it. But my power has developed over the years and I can now do it from a distance. The further away I am from the liquid, the thinner the ice. That’s why I’m thrilled you’ve got a water power.”

“Why is that?” I asked.

“Our powers complement each other. With practice, we can work together and strengthen each other.”

“I guess,” I said hesitantly. “Don’t forget, I am mainly doing this to help my aunt.” I reminded her. She wants my help and I want hers. Only until I get the antidote.

“I know. I will go back next week.” Ellie says as we head back to the others. While we were walking, I processed all the things Ellie had told me since I met her.

“How will you create an antidote if you can’t grow anything here?”

“I have excellent friends in Europe. They hate Millicent and help me get whatever I need. One in particular, Evangeline. She even got me some Valerian when there was a global shortage.”

“A global shortage of a plant? What would cause that?” I asked.

“Valerian is versatile and has many purposes. But if it’s aged just right, it can be used for protection. I use it with other herbs to dampen my aura, so when I go to the mainland, others don’t realize I’m a royal. Not unless I want them to.”

“Ah,”

“Evangeline suspected Millicent destroyed the plants to draw someone out. It came close to disappearing completely. But with Evangeline’s foresight, that is no longer a problem.”

As we enter our ice home. I ask Ellie, “When will we start training?” I feel physically terrible. She looks at me. “I am used to training all day, every day. I need to get back to being physically active.”

“I’ll help you with that,” Benson offered.

“I bet you will,” I whispered, causing everyone to snicker. I’d forgotten they all had wolves. I can feel myself blushing. But I don’t care. “I need to be at my peak when this fight comes. We all do!”