Pinching a small section of her dress, Glacier descends the staircase, immersing into the wide crowd.
Sensing a numerous number of eyes on her, she keeps her own trained to her footsteps.
She beelines to where most of her team members stand at the bottom of the steps talking amongst themselves. Keena, Tric and Aleena stand together. Neena and Branch are nowhere to be found.
Tric notices her approach and discreetly nudges Aleena’s side. After she turns to face her oncoming teammate, she mutters something to Keena. Before Glacier reaches them, Aleena and Tric strut off in the opposite direction. She hesitates with her approach, her steps stuttering as they walk away. The self-despising returns, clawing through her chest.
Glacier instead turns, and walks in a different direction as well. She stops to lean against one of the large white pillars that reach from the floor to the high ceiling.
She surveys the room, absorbing the layout of people. There is a small platform close to the grey table, and beside that, is a trifling set of steps. The guests that float around the room talk amongst themselves, sipping on champagne, having their pictures taken with the contestants. Many of the ladies are dressed in extravagantly decorated dresses, their makeup a bright rainbow of colour. The men wear waistcoats with green pocket handkerchiefs, and varying shades of white undershirts.
The High Chamber gathers around the white table before three representatives take to the stage. As Sasis leads the two other men to ascend the short steps, the crowds slowly hush.
Sasis wears a long moss cloak with long billowy sleeves, tightened with a belt, and dark dirt-brown trousers. His wispy long hair is brushed back in a frazzled manner, with a small braid from one ear to the other.
Karn and Hampton are in similar apparel, the only difference being their colours. Karn is clean-shaven across his strong jaw and his hair is swept back neatly, and Hampton has his dark hair groomed to perfection.
By the time they reach the centre of the minute stage, the audience surrounding the tables are silent. Some eyes still linger in Glacier’s direction. She ignores them.
“My children,” Sasis sighs, a warm smile on his face, “welcome to the first of the Winter Galas.” Glacier’s posture stiffens at the mention of winter. An uncomfortable queasiness settles in her stomach.
“Now, if you could all please welcome our guest of honour for tonight’s event–” Glacier’s heartbeats loud like a thunderstorm.
Please don’t say my name–
“Miss Glacier Wardgrave.”
Before Glacier can deliberate hiding, a guard surveying nearby spots her, and gently hauls her toward the stage. She is pulled toward the stage by his callous hand, his grip tightening when she slows.
Karn stands at the top of the steps, monitoring her approach. The guard releases her at the stairs, taking a step back. Karn outstretches his hand to her.
Staring at his offering, Glacier hesitantly takes it. He assists her up the steps to the platform, walking her to the centre.
“You look lovely tonight, Miss Wardgrave,” Karn whispers as he leans in close.
Keeping her head low, her white curtain-like strands shield her from the penetrating gazes of the Alluvium audience. Glacier stands slightly hunched, her free arm draped around her waist awkwardly.
“Here is she. Doesn’t she look beautiful?”
Sasis approaches her, gently taking her hand from Karn. Her hand transfers from soft skin to wrinkled skin. Sasis walks her forward a few steps, leaving Karn and Hampton behind them.
“Darling, stand proudly. You are our guest of honour.”
Glacier looks to him, straightening her spine at his suggestion, “Why?”
He seems to find her question amusing as he shakes his head with a grin, flashing his aged teeth, “Because, my child, you are unique.”
Glacier remembers Branch calling her unique earlier. But the word doesn’t make her feel special, or eccentric.
It reminds her how unfairly different she is from everyone else.
She squints her eyes, “Unique, or a freak?”
Sasis laughs, “What is the difference?” Glacier’s jaw tightens and her eyes burn.
Stop it. Stop crying!
She turns her head away as he returns to address the crowd, “With someone as rare and delicate as Miss Wardgrave, she needs a title – a position in our society. But what is fitting, for someone as inimitable as this extraordinary young lady?”
The ballroom is silent for a moment, before an unseen woman calls out, “Crystal?”
Sasis weighs on it for a moment, before shaking his head, “Something more extravagant, more meaningful.”
Three others call out different names, all sounding rather ordinary.
This is ridiculous. I don’t need a title! I don’t want to be a part of this messed up society.
Gamble is next to speak out, “What about Ice Princess?” He snickers with his teammates at the suggestion.
Sasis smiles and laughs, not understanding the snarky bite of the suggestion. “You are getting closer, Mr Kidman, but it seems too egocentric. Maybe something–”
“Elemental Diamond.”
Glacier looks over the crowd to where the last voice came from.
Brink is standing there with his large hands submerged in his trouser pockets, a black stare tensing his eyebrows.
Sasis smiles in Brink’s direction, “Brilliant!” He turns back to Glacier, raising her hand further into the air, “Hydren’s Elemental Diamond.”
~
The dinner was extravagantly displayed, but Glacier had no idea what it was. Some parts were slimy and others chewy. It tasted well enough, but her taste buds are not accustomed to the finer foods.
A quiet chatter emerges by the end of the feast, but still no one speaks to her. Branch and Neena sit very close as they discuss something soundlessly. Keena is sitting back on her seat with a glass of something bubbly in her hand.
Despite trying to be discrete, Glacier notices Keena’s eyes occasionally flickering in Neena’s direction with an annoyed air. Aleena is out of her seat, schmoozing a table full of elders. They laugh at something she says, and she basks in the undivided attention they give her. Tric is leaning over to one of the younger girls at a white table, a sly smirk on his lips.
Glacier looks over to the white table as Sasis rises from his seat. His eyes flitter around the room before landing on her briefly. He raises a disapproving eyebrow in her direction, and Glacier immediately sits up pin-straight. His eyes continue on past her, summing up the room quickly before he addresses the now silent audience.
“What a delightful dinner. I hope you all enjoyed it.” A chorus of approving hums waves over the crowd.
“Now, it is time for the first dance of the tournament. You all now have the opportunity to select your partner…”
The wait staff that had brought out our meals earlier hurry around the room, collecting tables and chairs and moving them off the dance floor. Soon a soft melody is playing, lulling Glacier’s tired mind.
Suddenly feeling a soft hand gently rest on her shoulder, her heart jumps, before racing with excitement.
Fielder?
Turning her head, her anxiousness deflates to disappointment. With his hand resting on her ghostly skin, Karn smiles down at her.
“It would be an honour to have your first dance, Miss Wardgrave.” He outstretches his opposite hand as invitation.
Such a gentleman.
Despite her weary mind and her dozing body, Glacier reaches her arm across her body, placing her hand in his. He helps her from her seat and guides her towards the centre of the dance floor.
Sasis and Julieen are already flitting around the floor in a friendly embrace, charming smiles adorning their faces. There are a small number of couples dancing around the room, including Gamble and Alidia, as well as Branch and Neena.
Karn smoothly pulls her closer, to a more suitable distance. His
large hand softly rests on her waist, and his hand continues to hold hers in a gentle grip. Glacier places her free hand on his shoulder and at the same time her father’s words resonate through her mind.
‘Now, you must always allow the man to lead. Give them control.’
Squaring her shoulders and jutting her chin, she allows Karn to lead her around the room in a gracious flaunt. His posture is relaxingly straight, and his mannerism is polite. Glacier discreetly gazes around the room for an unmistakable pair of orange eyes, but he seems to be undiscoverable.
“Looking for anyone in particular, Miss Wardgrave?”
Her head snaps back to Karn. She stumbles slightly from surprise. He manages to brush off her stagger and carry on gliding her back and forth.
“You seem distracted.” She shakes her head in response, studying their joined hands to save her from looking into his eyes. Their pair float around the floor effortlessly, the dance similar to her father’s teaching.
“You dance beautifully, young lady.” Despite Karn saying it as a compliment, Glacier flinches as though it were an insult. He doesn’t seem to notice.
“Thank you.”
“Where did you learn?”
She swallows the thick lump in her throat before strangling out her answer, “My father taught me.”
Karn smiles widely at her answer, “What a brilliant father you have. Every young girl should learn to dance,” he muses, his smile shrinking to a modest smirk.
I don’t have a father anymore…
As the song draws to an end, Glacier watches a large finger tap Karn’s shoulder lightly. Karn halts his movements smoothly, turning his head to the interrupter.
Gamble stands there with his arms taut and a lazy smile on his face. “Mind if I have her next dance, Chamberman?”
Karn smiles modestly, shaking his head shortly, “Of course not. I believe I owe Emilia a dance anyhow.”
Glacier’s eyes widen and her heart quickens at the thought of being alone with Gamble Kidman. Karn takes Glacier’s hand that he is holding and passes it into Gamble’s waiting one.
Before stepping away and leaving her with the young earth elemental, he quickly adds, “Be gentle with her. She is my champion.” Karn’s teeth gleam as he teases.
Gamble nods, his eyes wide, “Of course. You don’t have to worry about this one.” Glacier rolls her eyes.
Yeah right.
Karn strides off, weaving between the elementals slowly filling dance floor. Gamble pulls her closer. His chest is firm and his hands large. His fitted jade button-down hugs his figure, tucked neatly into his dark grey trousers. His thick russet hair is groomed into a tidy bun at the back of his neck, and his eyes gleam with arrogance and male pride.
“Hello there, little Ice Princess.” His cheeky smirk grinds her nerve endings. He guides her in a simple dance once the next song begins.
Glacier says nothing, dancing soundlessly. Keeping her eyes trained to the centre of his chest, she silently prays to escape this uncomfortable confrontation.
“Guest of honour. Wow, that’s amazing. Not sure I remember the guest of honour ever being one of the volunteers.” He continues. Glacier gives him no response.
Just until the song is over.
“Not going to talk to me then?” Still she says nothing. This seems to irritate him further.
He discreetly hanks her hair back, and her head resounds with pain. Glacier sucks in a breath of air and groan as the painful tug pulls her still fresh scar.
“Don’t ignore me.”
I knew he wouldn’t be gentle.
Glacier tightens her lips and stare back wordlessly. He seems to be brimming with annoyance. Gamble pulls her hair harder, pulling strands from her scalp.
“You think you are above us, don’t you? You think you are better than everyone in this room.” His eyes are hard, his teeth snarling at her. “Understand this, freak. You have nothing that anyone could possibly envy. You have an ugly scar that dements your face. You have too much flesh here.” As he speaks, he grabs her curved hips, squeezing painfully. “And you have far too much here,” his hand suddenly grabs her rear, squeezing again.
Her dress lifts slightly, but the loathing that settles in Glacier’s stomach blurs her attention. A strong hatred grows with Gamble’s name. Her self-abasement mounts like a dark shadow.
All of the self-deprecating thoughts that Glacier has ever had about her body return, like a thousand ghosts taunting her. Never having been comfortable with her body, Glacier’s fear of others disproval rockets.
Her body shakes with her discomfort; his remorseless touch is unwelcome on her skin.
“Let go of me!” she mutters harshly, her voice sandy. She tries pushing back, but he only grips her firmer.
Gamble sneers down at her, his eyes evil and his grabby hands still grabbing to the parts of her body that have always made her insecure.
“Do you mind if I cut in?”
Her eyelids drift closed, straining a tear from her eyes. Glacier sighs in relief. Her hard thumping heart slows at the sound of his voice.
Gamble looks over her shoulder, followed by a lip curl, “Yes I do. The song isn’t over.”
Fielder steps close enough for his scorching chest to brush against Glacier’s shoulder. The heat that emanates past his shirt is hot enough to boil water.
“It’s over for you. Step away.” Every word is punctuated with anger. His patience is noticeably non-existent at this point. His anger radiates like powerful warnings, brewing an inkling of fear within her.
He won’t hurt me.
“Back off, Halen. You can wait your turn.” Suddenly, the heat doubles behind her, and Glacier’s body starts to boil. The people dancing around them slowly stop to gawk at the scene they are causing.
“Is there a problem here?”
Oh crap.
Brink stands to her side, eyeing the earth elemental with an annoyed scowl. Gamble’s features contort with fury at Brink’s nearness.
“You! Because of you, that girl on my team can no longer compete! She has to undergo surgery, so now we are down a contestant!”
‘That girl on my team…’
Did he even know her name?
Despite his vicious words, Brink shrugs. When he speaks again, he sounds deathly serious. “Let her go or you’ll be in the same condition as your teammate.”
Gamble looks around, finding every eye watching for what will happen next. Instead of staying to continue his childish tantrum, he drops his grip on Glacier and submerges himself in the crowd of dancers.
Glacier winces, rubbing the back of her head where he had tugged her hair. Her hand comes back slightly wet. Her heart races with fright.
Turning back to the men waiting on either side of her, a grimace twists her eyes and mouth. Brink stands back and watches her with curiosity, while Fielder approaches.
“Are you hurt?”
Glacier pulls her hand back and drops it to her side. Brink is quick to speak, “Careful Farmer. Can't be caught fraternizing with the wrong element.”
Fielder’s jaw tightens, “It’s Fielder.”
Brink shrugs his shoulders, “Same thing.”
Ignoring Brink’s attempt at humour, Fielder asks Glacier once more if she is hurt. “No, I’m fine.” She tries to hide her hands, but she isn’t fast enough.
Fielder’s eyes catch the redness trickling from her fingertips. He grabs her arm gently, pulling her away from Brink, in the direction of a pale door at the back of the room. Glacier says nothing as they weave between the onlookers, all watching with curiosity.
He pulls her through the threshold and Glacier realizes they have stepped into a bathroom. There is a short wall to shield anyone who uses the toilet, as well as a long bench with a single basin and vase of lively green flowers.
“Come here.” His voice is merely a whisper.
He softly tugs her over to the basin, his hands trembling slightly.
Glacier follows wordlessly, her small heels clicking on the shiny tiles.
Blood runs down her neck in a thin, slow stream, sending an uncomfortable shiver down the centre of her spine. Glacier quickly swoops her hand under her hair to stop it with her fingers. When her fingers touch the tender spot where Gamble pulled, her eyes squint with pain.
Fielder drops her arm when she stands beside the basin, and quickly strides over to the hand towel dispenser, where he pulls a few papers. When he returns, he runs them under cold water. His brows are furrowed with concentration as he watches the water soak the paper. He shuts off the tap and turns back in her direction.
“Come here, Glace.”
He did it again. He called me Glace…
Her heart picks up rhythm when he grabs her wrist, pulling her near him. Fielder turns her until her back faces him, sweeping her hair over her shoulder. During the movement, his fingers brush over her skin. Her breath falters from the sudden lick of heat against her sensitive flesh.
Fielder gently wipes away the blood on the back of her neck with the wet paper. He carefully cleans across her neck, his fingers trailing behind the damp parchment to warm her skin from the dampness of the paper. His following touch soothes her mind into a lulling stupor. When he realizes how relaxed she is, he presses his fingertips firmer against her pale flesh.
Glacier hums her approval, enjoying the warm his fingers offer. His searing touch contradicts every other time hot water has had an overwhelming effect on her skin. Glacier doesn’t feel faint or burnt. Instead, she feels comforted, pacified.
“Glace…”
Glacier turns to face Fielder. The look in his eyes transports back to the day Glacier first met him.
ELEVEN
FIRST MEETING
Glacier looks up to the enormous concrete wall that had once trapped her.
The wall seems so much higher out here.
She looks around and all she sees is a thick grouping of pine trees coated in dense snow. Glacier has always loved venturing out in the snow.
The Frozen Beginning (Elemental Diamond Book 1) Page 13
