Chapter 1

"Keira, behind you." Rui threw his sword, engulfed in his fire magic, at the hulking red Minotaur coming up behind her.

Her long black hair whipped around as she sliced through the centaur in front of her with her broadsword.

Rui's sword stabbed into its back, but it kept moving, swinging its battle-axe at Keira.

She turned in time to block the Minotaur with her sword, digging her feet into the ground as she slid back, grimacing. Her icy blue eyes glowed, and ice trailed from her hand down her sword into the Minotaur's axe.

It roared out in pain, shifting slightly as ice consumed it.

Rui pulled his sword out of its back, and the Minotaur shattered. "You're getting careless." He sheathed his sword and looked at the piles of centaurs lying on the cave floor around them.

"No, I'm not. I knew you'd keep an eye out since you took out the small ones already." Keira smirked.

"Small?!" His red eyes glowed. "You've got to be kidding me! Maybe they weren't as grand as yours—"

"The point is, I know you've got my back, as always." She stared down at the shattered Minotaur as she sheathed her sword. Pain spiked through her wrist, and she grabbed it, closing her eyes. He's right... I should've noticed it. How'd I let it get so close to me?

Rui ran his hand through his blond, spiky hair as a blush crept up his cheeks. "Of course I do. I'd be a sucky partner if I didn't look out for you. And it's not like you let us team up with more people, like, say... a healer, so our group can be well-rounded."

"We don't need any more people. Besides, they always send in crews to follow us." Always giving us more people to look after.

"If you don't want a healer, what about an alchemist? Those potions can bring us back from the brink."

As if that's any better. "Grab the crystal and let's get out of here before the crew arrives."

"Yeah, yeah." He picked up the large, clear crystal and whistled. "It was stronger than I thought based on this, but it went down fast. Is your magic getting stronger? Not that I thought it could get better..."

"Who says it was me and not your sword in its back?" Keira took a deep breath and looked over as the crew finally found their way over to them, waving and looking around in awe of all the small crystals around them.

"You were just giving me the finishing blow; I know it was your magic."

"Let's go." Keira avoided eye contact as she passed the others.

"Have at 'em," Rui said, giving them a wave.

"Yes!"

"Thanks."

"How do they always finish before we get here?" The crew chatted amongst themselves as they collected the rest of the crystals left behind by the demons.

"Those poor guys look so eager to talk to you, yet too terrified to speak up," Rui whispered to her as they left the cave, gripping her shoulder.

She brushed his hand off. Suits me just fine.

"You know, you'd probably have more fans if you gave them something as small as a smile or a wave. A wink might knock a few out."

"Rui?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

"Bah, you're no fun."

Sunlight blinded them as they exited the cave.

"Done before sunset. What will we do with the rest of the day? I'm certain they'll have another parade." Rui rubbed his chin and hopped up onto his horse. "Hey, girl, miss me?"

His horse neighed.

"I want to go home and sleep. Maybe I should take the back route..." Keira grabbed the horn of her saddle to pull herself up and gritted her teeth as pain spiked through her wrist. Should've used the other hand, but he might notice. Just need to use my ice on it at home...

"Don't you dare! I don't want questions about where you went like last time. Don't abandon me like that."

Ugh. Had to put it that way.

"I'm not sure why you hate parades so much; those people love you and want to show you that."

"It's a waste," Keira grumbled. "Couldn't they think of something better to do with their money?"

"But the kingdom pays them to feed everyone. Win-win, right?"

As if that were the only problem.

---

Crowds of people lined the streets as Keira and Rui returned, cheering and celebrating their latest successful mission. People shared food and threw confetti into the air.

"Ice Queen! Please marry me!"

"No, me!"

"Can you touch my hand?"

People reached out to her as she kept her eyes forward, gripping the reins tightly while her horse slowly clopped through town.

The throbbing in her wrist intensified. Just have to get home.

"You're too kind." Rui accepted a basket of fruit from a beautiful lady in the crowd.

It wasn't even that big of a mission. Why are we even celebrating when worse things are lurking nearby?

Keira could feel someone's eyes on her, different from the rest, and she spotted a tall man wearing a green cloak, hidden between buildings as he watched them.

What's he up to?

Everyone else was celebrating and trying to get close, except for him.

He suddenly turned away and retreated into the alleyway.

"Something wrong?" Rui leaned in to ask.

"Hmm? No... I don't think so." I hope not, at least.

"If you say so..." He tried to follow her line of sight, but didn't see anything.

Probably someone curious about the celebration, nothing more.

They made it through town, and the golden gates to the imperial palace opened for them. They rode up to the massive stone building with more towers than a defence fortress, and the double doors opened.

"Welcome back! Word of your victory spread within minutes of us hearing from our team." King Shun laughed, combing his fingers through his long red locks. "Not that we had any doubt that you'd destroy the threat."

"Then why have a parade?" Again. "If it was practically a guaranteed victory, this was unnecessary." And a waste of money. She sighed, wishing to get to her room and out of her armour for a bath.

"For morale, of course! Our people need to know of our Ice Queen's hard work to keep her people safe."

Keira's eye twitched. "Even you are using the nickname? I am no queen, nor do I wish to be."

"Understood, but it is so fitting. No one else in the world is as efficient in ice magic as you are, and you have the regal beauty to match it, too." He laughed and rested his arm on her shoulder as he led her deeper into the palace.

Ugh... Why can't he keep his hands to himself? She gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to shove his arm off.

"Don't let it get to you. Instead, lean into it, and they'll love you even more than they do now."

"I don't need them to. I want to keep them safe, which might actually be easier if they don't know about it." She glanced up at him, her eyes narrowed.

Rui burst out laughing and pulled her away from Shun. "Don't mind her, Your Majesty; she's just tired and cranky, and in need of a bath." He gestured toward the blood on her armour. "If you'll please excuse us."

"Fine, fine." He waved them off. "You've shown your faces, and that's all I ask for. Well, and for you to show up for a dance later tonight."

She clenched her fists. Why can't I just rest?!

"Of course, but we need to rest first. We'll see you later," Rui said, ushering her away from him. Once they rounded the corner, he let go and sighed. "You're crazy, you know that?"

Keira shrugged.

"That is our king you were talking to like that."

"If he doesn't want me to talk casually, he should say so... and he should stop putting his arm around my shoulders like that."

"Again, he's the king."

"Quit worrying about that." She walked off toward her room.

"I'll see you later." Rui headed into his room.

Sensing someone's gaze again, she scanned her surroundings, but didn't find anyone. Maybe I'm just tired. She shook her head and went inside her fully furnished room, dropping her armour off to the side for cleaning and readied herself for a bath.

Finally, in silence and away from people, Keira relaxed in her hot bath and looked at her reddened wrist. With a deep breath, she held onto her wrist, and her eyes glowed as she used ice magic on her wrist.

Pain spiked again, and she dipped it in the hot water.

"Arg." This should be simple, but I always use too much power.

Thud.

A noise came from her bedroom, and she froze.

What was that? A maid? But Miya would announce herself... Who is it?