Page 3 of Frosty and the Reaper
The high ceiling made it seem like the cavern was located in the heart of a mountain, and the natural contours of the walls added an element of interest to the design of the room. The ball of light she created bounced off hundreds of crystals embedded in the rock walls. The soft, ethereal glow cast from the luminescent crystals flooded the space with light and color.
While there was heat rising from the stone floor, the air in the room was pleasantly cool and carried a subtle scent of something that smelled like vanilla and sandalwood. The harmonious blend was soothing without overpowering the senses, but she wasn’t sure where it was coming from.
The bedroom was a large space, with a massive bed fit into a large alcove in the wall. The bed was partially hidden behind drapes made of shimmering red and black fabric. The mattresswas draped in a luxurious black blanket that felt as soft as velvet when she reached out and stroked her hand over it.
The wall around the bed was decorated with intricate carvings etched into the stone that looked like ancient runes. Although she couldn’t identify the symbols, she was confident that those runes were another layer of protection that Zander had put in place to keep him safe while he was resting.
Cylindrical bolster pillows embellished with black braiding were laid out near the head of the bed. Those pillows looked highly uncomfortable, but that could have been because they weren’t what she was used to.
Kami preferred the mountain of body pillows that were softer than clouds she kept on her own bed. She slept cocooned between them, which also helped keep her in place since she had developed a sleepwalking problem whenever she got too stressed out. It hadn’t happened for months, but seeing the bed alcove gave her a new idea to try if that habit started up again.
A chandelier made of intertwined vines and large crystals was suspended midair in the center of the room. Curious, she sent a pulse of magic into the chandelier to turn it on. When it lit up as bright as the sun, its brilliance reflected off the multi-colored crystals in the walls so that she felt as though she were standing inside of a rainbow. Using her magic again, she dimmed the chandelier to a more tolerable level, creating a mesmerizing combination of shadows and light throughout the bedroom.
The rest of the furnishings in the bedroom were a blend of basic items and elegant pieces that would probably be considered antiques at this point. There were a variety of ancient scrolls, relics, and other keepsakes arranged on shelves that were carved directly into the rock walls. If not for the bed, the room would have resembled a well-appointed storage area to hide away valuables.
She blanched a little when she ventured into the next large room and discovered that it was filled with a collection of weapons. There were swords, knives, maces, bows, spears, and a variety of other items she could only guess their uses. A special sword was displayed on a pedestal in the center of the room. The blade was made of red metal, making it look like it was covered with blood, and the hilt was black and encrusted with jewels that gleamed in the light.
Kami could imagine hearing the clash of swords and the cries of warriors echoing through the room. It was a shrine to combat, a place that spoke of violence and valor.
It was a true testament to the art of war.
Continuing to explore the caverns, she found a room that could only be described as the ancient version of an office and a bathing room that was essentially a private lagoon. She saw more runes carved into the stones in the curved archways between the rooms and made a mental note to ask about those later.
Hidden down a long, narrow hallway was another room. As she drew closer, she felt the heavy pressure that came from being in the presence of strong magical wards. Curious about why Zander had a room shielded with more layers of protection when he was the only one who had access to it, she continued to push forward until she got closer to the open doorway.
Powerful magical wards wouldn’t allow her to enter the room, but she could still peek inside. At first, she thought it was nothing more than an empty room, then she noticed there were black flames burning in the room.
Devil fire, she thought with a shiver.
He had a freaking room full of devil fire hidden in his lair. Devil fire was one of the most powerful substances within the six realms. It could basically burn anything, and any woundinflicted with it was extremely difficult to heal, even with powerful magic.
Scrambling away from the doorway, she hurried from the room like her ass was on fire. No wonder he had the room completely warded off.
Retracing her steps, she made her way back into the bedroom. The only thing she hadn’t found during her exploration was a way out. There were no doors in the entire lair. At least, none that were visible. The caverns served as a beautiful sanctuary hidden away from prying eyes.
Or a fancy prison.
It was strange being in an unknown location where even her powerful family and friends couldn’t reach her. Because if they could find her, she had no doubt they would be standing right there with her. Especially her sister, Jackie, and her mate, Micah. It made sense that no one could break through Zander Cosmos’ defenses, though.
If anyone could create an impenetrable fortress, it would be the God of War.
Wishing she could at least tell her sister she was still alive, Kami remembered the phone her friend, Devon, had made her. Devon had been a tech witch before becoming a goddess. Now, she was able to use her unique magic to create cell phones that could work throughout the six realms.
Pulling the phone out of the back pocket of her jeans, she checked for a signal. Unfortunately, even the magical phone Devon had made couldn’t seem to breach Zander’s protection wards. Despite being a little irritated that she was unable to reach her sister, Kami found herself admiring her mate’s impressive skills.
Even without a signal, she typed out a quick text to her sister anyway. When she immediately got an error message, she just shrugged. That was expected. The text would automatically sendonce there was a signal, so she just slid her phone back into her pocket.
She hoped that would be enough to stop her sister from going nuclear.
Jackie had always looked out for Kami, and not being able to find her when she knew she was in trouble was probably driving her crazy. Unlike other royal families, Kami got along well with both of her siblings. Jackie and her brother, Crispin, were more than just her allies. They were the only two people she loved and trusted without reservation.
Growing up in a royal household wasn’t as glamorous as most people believed. Despite the outward appearance of luxury and ease, the life of royalty was fraught with challenges. Ruling a kingdom required immense dedication and sacrifice.
The weight of the crown was not just a metaphor.
It was a reality that dictated every aspect of their lives.
Sure, there was an abundance of wealth and power that came with their status, but there was also a price to pay for the privileged life they led. The glittering facade hid a world of pressure and responsibility. The constant scrutiny and lack of privacy could be polarizing. Every action and word spoken was analyzed and often criticized, not just by the public but by other royals. That relentless attention could be suffocating, and any deviation from the expected behavior could lead to scandal and disgrace.