Page 13 of Gifted to the Alien Prince
He handed me a napkin, indicating for me to wipe my chin.
“Did I get it?”
He shook his head. He took the napkin from me and dabbed at my face. “Glimrin berries are good but messy.”
His touch was feather light but I felt it even after his hand moved away. We stared at each other.
"Look at this, Isabelle," Queen Akora’s voice laced with excitement as she gestured toward a lot adorned with smaller versions of the planet’s white-tipped evergreens. "Families decorate these trees during the Feast of Frostfires. Each ornament tells a story, a dream, or a wish."
As Akora passionately shared Glaciarian holiday traditions, I noticed Thadron's disinterest. His gaze wandered over to the stark plains in the distance, and his posture was stiff. When the queen spoke of the Aurora Walk, meant to bring blessings of clarity and love, he scoffed softly.
"Thadron, when is the Aurora Walk?" I asked, hoping to draw him out. He glanced at me, eyes widening like he was surprised I was still talking to him.
"In two days. But I still have to visit the stables and oversee the training for the frostgrazer forest run.”
"Can I watch the preparations? I'd love to learn more about it," I ventured again, feeling the urge to chip away at the frosty veneer he wore so well. Perhaps my love of a good mystery was getting me into trouble.
"Maybe," he grunted before adding, "I have a tight schedule, Isa."
"Of course," I conceded, biting back my frustration. "I'll come by the stables later then. No need to keep you from your work."
I could sense his relief as he nodded, eager to escape the bazaar. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to head there now.”
Queen Akora placed a gentle hand on my arm as Thadron headed back in the direction of the keep. “Work has always been his refuge." Her tone suggested understanding and respect for his dedication. “It has benefitted our people.”
“It has,” I agreed with her. But at what cost to Thadron? Had he always been like this? I knew better than to ask the queen about the royal family’s personal business.
With the queen's words lingering in my thoughts, I continued to peruse the market stalls. I soon wondered if I could find a different gift for Thadron here. The merchandise in the stalls offered a glimpse into Glaciarian culture. Yet, no item seemed right for him. Except glimrin pastries, but he could get those anywhere here and they wouldn’t last until the gift exchange.
Time ticked onward, the market's din growing louder as more Glaciarians gathered to shop for the holidays. I felt the weight of my assignment pressing down on me.
"Isa, are you alright?" the queen inquired.
I must have looked odd, standing there among all the activity and thinking about Thadron. “Just taking it all in, Your Majesty.”
She viewed me with a keen yet concerned eye. “I think we should head back soon, too. You’re still adjusting to the climate. It may be too cold out here for you.”
When we returned to the keep, the cold still clung to my ears, but my thoughts were elsewhere. I asked one of the palace aides to point me towards the stables outside.
The stables smelled of cold clean hay. My boots crunched lightly against the frost-dusted floor as I stepped inside, my eyes scanning for Thadron. Light came through crystalline windows, casting jagged shadows, but there was no sign of him or anyone else.
A soft huff of breath caught my attention. I turned and froze, my annoyance giving way to awe.
Standing in the next stall was a creature that looked like it had stepped straight out of a myth. The animal was about the size of a sturdy horse, but its elk-like frame was far more graceful. Its fine snow-white fur reminded me of powdered frost.Elegant antlers branched from its head, velvet yet sharp-tipped. They glowed faintly, as though the cold itself pulsed through them.
This must have been the frostgrazer Thadron told me about.
The animal’s eyes, a deep, haunting silver, met mine with a serene curiosity. Its breath misted the air, small clouds of vapor escaping its velvet nose.
“You’re beautiful,” I whispered, more to myself than to the creature.
It blinked slowly, like it accepted the compliment with quiet dignity. My frustration with Thadron felt distant now, the wonder of this moment easing my tension. For a heartbeat, everything else faded—the politics, the expectations, even the cold.
The frostgrazer snorted softly, almost like it was encouraging me to keep going. I smiled faintly. Maybe I’d get through this interplanetary goodwill trip after all.
I left the frostgrazer to his midday meal before returning to the keep. I looked around, half-expecting to see Thadron near the archives, or standing in one of the halls. He was nowhere to be found. A tight knot of frustration curled in my stomach.Is he avoiding everyone, or just me?His absence felt deliberate, like a door closing before I even had a chance to knock.
Brushing off the thought, I changed out of my cold weather gear and made my way through toward the media room. The Wanderstar Fleet needed an update, and I couldn’t get my com link to work without a fresh charge. The sleek door slid open with a soft hiss, and I stepped inside, following the glow of the communication console.