Noblefrost
AUTHORS NOTE: If you haven't read chapters 1 and 2 please read them first, or this wont make any sense.
CHAPTER III
Ashlynn woke up multiple times during the night. Sometimes she’d have to pick Mr. Dragon up off the floor or readjust the covers. She was shattered in the morning when Alaric woke her up for breakfast. She refused to get up for a while until Alaric said “Ashlynn you have to get up, we’re eating breakfast with my mother, if she doesn’t like you, she’ll lock you away in a tower somewhere. She only sees you as a pawn she can use to get what she wants, she thinks it’s generous she’s even letting you live like a normal person here!!” the panic in Alaric’s voice while he admitted his mother’s intentions is what truly woke her up. She opened her eyes to Alaric with his hair tied back properly, with hair gel, and he was wearing the fanciest suit Ashlynn had even seen anyone wear. She would’ve laughed if it wasn’t for the pure panic in Alaric’s eyes. “Son of a- “she groaned, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. “I made you this dress weeks before you arrived in preparation for today” Alaric mumbled shyly. “Made??” Ashlynn exclaimed. “Yeah, I like to sew in my free time” he replied, gesturing to the sewing machine. “This was my first time making a dress like this, so I’m sorry if it doesn’t look great, I just wanted to include some of my mother’s favourite things, like the colour blue and snowdrops and-“Ashlynn interrupted him with a laugh, her own little revenge for yesterday. “Alaric, its beautiful, there’s no need to freak out” she giggled. The dress was a pastel blue, with long sleeves. It covered up most of her skin, with a small slit up to about her thigh, to help with walking in a tight-fitting dress. There was a snowdrop embroidered under the left shoulder. The material was comfy, and still looked amazing. “I didn’t know you could sew” she breathed, still taking in the dress. She delicately hopped out of bed and wondered into the bathroom to try it on. Luckily for them it fit her quite well. She left the bathroom and gave Alaric a little twirl. “Thank goodness it fits” he sighed, “next time I make you something I’ll need your measurements” Alaric looked at the time and immediately started to panic “Ashlynn!! Quick put on those shoes, my mother will be at the table in 5 minutes!! We cannot be late!” he squeaked, quickly putting on his own shoes. He grabbed Ashlynn’s hand and started rushing through the palace halls. “A-Alaric! Slow down! I can’t run in heels!” Ashlynn spluttered, almost falling over. “Sorry!!” he whispered, slowing down to walk. He was squeezing Ashlynn’s hand a lot, a tell-tale sign that he was nervous. His anxiety only filled Ashlynn with fear. He was obviously terrified of his mother. They walked into a large room with a long table in the middle. There was a large crystal chandelier above the table. At the head of the table was an older woman, her faded blue hair tied up in a bun. She had a stern look on her face and a diamond crown on her head. She was wearing a blue dress as well, this one short sleeved and more flowy. “you’re late” she announced. “Sorry mother” Alaric whispered, before leading Ashlynn towards the table. They sat on the left side, with Alaric closer to his mother. They sat in silence until his mother said “I didn’t expect someone from inferno to be able to look… decent. Keep this up and maybe I won’t have to be embarrassed about people seeing you with my son” Ashlynn won’t lie, her comments stung a little. Ashlynn was too afraid to say anything to this woman, and for once it seemed, Alaric was too. Both of their futures lay in her hands, one tiny wrong move and she could smash them in front of their eyes. Just as Ashlynn felt like she might break down crying a maid hurried into the room. “queen Christina, King Ishaan is here to discuss the alliance” she stated. Ashlynn held her breath until Christina left the room before standing up. “m-my father??” she asked the maid, who nodded in response. She thought she’d never see him again, since she rarely even saw him when she lived in Inferno. She… didn’t want to see him again. She felt her hands push against the table as she thought about all her father had done to her. She felt hot as she scowled. The thought that her father came to Noblefrost without even telling her, just to prove he hates her. “Ashlynn!!” Alaric cried, pulling her from her thoughts. Her hands had almost burned their way through the table, and Alaric was gripping his hand in pain. “What the hell was that??” Ashlynn stared at him for a moment. It had been years since she’d let her powers get the better of her. Without saying a word, she ran back to their room, and locked herself in the bathroom. She sat in the bath and tried to hold back her tears. She’d never actually hurt someone she cared about with her powers before. Hold on, cared about. She frowned. No, Alaric is just some guy she’s being forced to marry, she doesn’t care about him! Right...? her thoughts went wild until there was a knock at the door. “Ashlynn...? its Sarah. Alaric told me you were here, are you alright?” she called. Ashlynn unlocked the door but didn’t open it. Sarah stepped into the room. “What happened?” she asked. “I… My father. He’s here in Noblefrost and didn’t tell me” Ashlynn started. “I started to think about the things he’s done to me. I got angry and sorta blacked out. When I came back to reality Alaric was on the floor and I’d burnt holes in the table. I panicked, so I came here”. Ashlynn sighed, twirling a small flame between her fingers, practicing keeping it under control. She was sitting in the bathtub, with her knees pulled up to her chest. Sarah stepped into the bath and sat opposite her. “Why don’t I give you that piercing? To take your mind off things” Sarah suggested. Ashlynn looked up at her and gave her a small nod.
