Thread: Winter's Kiss (Ursus Peregrinus & Candy_demon21)

Prince Nikolai Ily'ich Kostchei Odette's life seemed to be a mirror of his own in some ways. Kolya almost thought that Moriwin's curse had harmed them both in similar ways. His isolation caused by his curse, hers by her mother's spiteful fears. That thought was both sadly funny and satisfying. He was not alone in his lonely vigil. There was at least one other who suffered with him. The Prince did not bother to argue with Odette when she criticized his attitude towards his subjects. Her opinions truly did not matter to him. She could believe what she wished. It fell to him to care for the people of this valley, not her, and he did not feel a need to justify his choices to some slip of a girl scarcely out of her youth. Watching her face as he told her some little of their shared history was delicious. Kolya watched the shock and disbelief on her face and the pain in her eyes was glorious. To someone who felt everything numbly, that hot rush of satisfaction was a feast, and he bared his teeth at the taste of it. I know her coldness and her cruelty firsthand, girl. Kolya snapped back at her, his face twisting angrily. Hate was one emotion he did feel, but after so long his hate was as cold as a february night. Your mother is the reason you have no father. She seduced my friend, my companion. Spurned me for him. We were like brothers, and she led him to betray me. The bitterness dripped from his words, icy cold droplets freezing the air between them. They both made their choice, and that choice had its price. For Gavril the price was to face me, blade to blade. He reached up and touched the scar, then smirked. He was faster, but my sword bit deeper that day so long ago. Your father died at my feet, Odette, like the traitor he was. Her spite and anger were amusing, all that rage and all of it so helpless. Kolya could not help but smile faintly, lips quirking up as he let that anger and hate wash over him. Your Mother's price was exile. My Father's men drove her from this kingdom, but not before she had cursed me. You tell me I am incapable of love but you don't know the half of it. I am incapable of humanity, girl. All the softer, finer emotions are lost to me. Memories only, and faint ones at that. I offered Moriwin my heart once, but she cast me aside for another. When I showed her the cost for her actions, when I took her heart from her as she took mine from me, she learned to hate me. Standing, he looked down at himself, cast aside his other glove. This is the result of her hate. Those statues outside are your mother's, as much as mine. None of them would even have heard my name if not for her. He smiled. They pay for her callous act, Odette. Once again, others bear the consequence of her choices. You, with your childhood stolen, hidden away from the world. Me, my life and hopes. Your countrymen, living in dread of their ruler. What price has Moriwin paid? The question hung between them, and he turned away from her. Walking to the fire, he knelt and thrust his hand into it, snuffing the flames in an instant and leaving the room in half-light. The hissing of the logs cooling threw steam into the air, and the chill began to return before it even began to cool. Think carefully, Odette, before you speak again. He gestured to a doorway across the long hall. Through there and up the stairs will lead you to your quarters. They are prepared for guests. Perhaps on the morrow you will have learned to hold your tongue amongst your betters. The words were a warning, and on that icy note her host stalked from the hall, his shadow long and eerie, thrown this way and that by the flickering blue-white lamps. tag