She wasn't supposed to be there yet here she was. Roaming in the snow covered woods trying to find a way out. The feathers of her wings matching the color of snow, blood dripping down from her shoulder blade leaving a crimson trail behind. Her breaths shallow and bones freezing.
"Stop where you are." The voice was colder than the weather. Authoritative. Powerful. Iriana turned with her arrow stretched in her bow and saw him. White hair, arctic blue eyes, and a crown of ice. The ice lord, Khion
Khion observed her in silence. The blood dripping down her shoulder blade and stained against the pure white snow, the ragged ends of her once perfectly clipped feathers, and her gaze like that of a cornered animal.
He took a step towards her , She took a step back then all of a sudden she fainted.
Khion had been close enough to catch her as she lost consciousness. He caught her in his arms with a gentleness no one would have expected of him. She was light, lighter than any female he'd ever carried before.
He could finally inspect her wings properly now that she was unconscious. They were beautiful, matching the color of the snow itself. But they were also injured. The bleeding of her shoulder must have come from a deep wound on the edge of her wing.
Khion cradled her in his arms, carefully avoiding pressing on her wounded shoulder. He opened his wings and took off without any difficulty, carrying the injured beauty with him. In only a few minutes they reached his castle, hidden deep in the frozen forest.
Despite her bloodied condition and unconscious state, Khion noticed that she wasn't cold in the slightest. A normal fae would freeze in this weather, but not her. It was as if the cold was nothing to her, almost as if she was used to this type of temperature.
He took her directly to his chambers, setting her down on the bed. He covered her with a fur blanket .
As Khion gazed at Iriana, he couldn't help but notice the peculiarities about her. Despite her injuries, her skin retained a warm glow, and her breathing was steady. He reached out to brush a strand of silver hair from her face, his fingers grazing her skin. A spark of curiosity ignited within him.
Khion's eyes wandered to her wings, still visible beneath the fur blanket. The intricate patterns of silver feathers shimmered in the dim light of his chambers. He gently lifted the blanket, inspecting the wound on her shoulder. The cut was deep, but it seemed to be healing already.
"Who are you?" Khion whispered, his voice barely audible.
As he pondered these questions, a soft knock at the door broke the silence. His loyal servant, Lyra, entered with a bowl of steaming broth and a tray of healing herbs.
"My lord," Lyra said, her eyes fixed on Iriana. "Shall I tend to her wounds?"
Khion nodded, his gaze still on Iriana's peaceful face. "Yes, Lyra. See to her care. I'll be watching over her."
With Lyra's skilled hands, Iriana's wounds began to heal. Khion remained vigilant, observing the mysterious fae with growing fascination. As the night wore on, he found himself drawn to her enigmatic presence, sensing that there was more to Iriana than met the eye.
The next morning, Iriana stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she took in her surroundings. She was met with the sight of Khion sitting beside her, his piercing blue gaze fixed intently on her face.
For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the air thick with unspoken tension. Khion's expression was unreadable, but his eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity.
"Good morning," he said finally, his voice low and measured.
Iriana's gaze dropped, her eyes scanning the room as she struggled to piece together her memories. She seemed to be assessing her situation, her expression guarded.
Khion leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers. "What's your name?" he asked, his voice gentle.
But Iriana remained silent, her lips pressed together in a firm line. She didn't respond, didn't even acknowledge the question.
Khion's gaze held hers, searching for any hint of emotion or weakness. But Iriana's expression remained impassive, her eyes veiled.
He tried again, his voice softer. "You don't have to be afraid. I won't harm you."
Still, Iriana said nothing. Her silence was a palpable force, a barrier between them that Khion couldn't breach.
He asked her name and she merely stared at him as if she couldn't understand what he was asking.
Khion pointed at her and repeated his question. "What is your name?" he asked again, enunciating each word slowly and clearly.
Khion's gaze flicked to her bow which he had picked up when he had saved her and then back to her, understanding dawning in his eyes. She had pointed to her weapon, and on the weapon the name 'Iriana' was engraved on it. He repeated the name softly, "Iriana."
She nodded her head in confirmation, a silent response that confirmed the name he had spoken. Iriana. It was a unique name, and one that fit her perfectly. He found himself saying it again in his mind, the word almost like a spell.
As iriana looked at him, their eyes locking for a moment, he felt a strange pang in his chest. There was something about her gaze, the way her silver eyes met his, that made his heart skip a beat.
Their eye colours were a beautiful contrast. His eyes a striking icy blue that was as cold as the snow, and hers a shimmery silver grey with flecks of blue as if frozen in mid-motion.
Despite the situation and the fact that they didn't know each other, there was a sense of tranquility about her. She sat on the bed, wings tucked behind her back and hands clasped in her lap. There was an air of peace surrounding her that was almost palpable.
The moment was shattered as one of his guards barged into the room, rambling on about some issue in the castle. He barely spared Iriana a glance, his focus entirely on Khion as he continued to rant.
Khion sensing her agitation as she got off the bed, silenced the guard with a glare. The guard seemed to get the message as he immediately stopped talking.
The guard stopped mid-sentence, finally noticing Maya for the first time. He looked taken aback, his eyes widening at the sight of the winged faerie girl.
He had the same reaction Khion had when he'd first seen her.
She was a beauty!
the guard thought as he stared at her.
Khion dismissed the guard with a wave of his hand.
The guard walked out, stealing one last glance at her.
Khion looked back at her, she was staring at the door in which the guard walked out from.
Her gaze reverted back to his then she said two words
"My bow"
so she could speak ?
he thought as he handed her her bow .
She collected the bow warily slinging it over her shoulder eith oracticed ease indicating it was something she did often.
As he stood there staring at her in wonder his mother walked in.
"Khion! What's this I'm hearing from the servants about a girl in your chambers"
She says as she walked further into the room.
He didn't say anything as his mother's gaze landed on Iriana, who stared back at his mother with a chill expression.
He saw his mother too was slightly taken aback by Iriana's features.
Her silvery grey and blue eyes seemed to radiate energy.
Her silver hair with a crown looking silvery blue diamond perched Infront made her look like some ancient times greek goddess.
She looked nothing like the maidens in the land