Yeva awoke in a bed that wasn't her own.
Its bright white sheets held her softly, even when she tossed them away and dizzied her head by sitting up too quickly. Her hair, before restrained in an orderly bun, leaked in waves over her shoulders, and despite waking up in a room made of ice, she didn't feel cold even dressed in a simple nightgown.
Setting her feet onto the floor, she studied the room. Though minimalistic, it was large, containing furniture also composed of ice. A vanity with a bright silver mirror sat against one wall, and on the opposite, a see-through wardrobe which sat empty, blurred hangers dangling from the top.
The dull morning glow, weakened by snow clouds, managed to make it through the slightly transparent walls, leaving the chamber visible, but dark.
Yeva took a moment as breath steamed from her mouth and nose. She approached the door, an opening with a square border, and burst into the hall.
Unsurprisingly, there were more towering ice slabs, perfect and smooth as they formed the barren halls. Where most any home that size might have some decoration—framed photographs, colorful rugs, vases, paintings, anything—this one had dimensions and nothing else. Yeva searched left and right, but with no servants, nor host, she chose left and ran.
Many other rooms like hers, entrances spaced evenly, lined the walls. None had doors, and passing, Yeva found the same sorts of beds in the same sorts of rooms with small variation. One may have a desk or table instead of a vanity, where some sat entirely empty.
Past the rooms, Yeva came to the end of the hall, which emptied into one gigantic chamber. Without pausing, she entered.
What she couldn't have seen from the hallway was the enormous woman stationed on a throne composed of ice. Sitting next to a story-tall mirror, she resembled a statue in a deliberate pose, arms set perfectly upon the barriers of the chair. Her crown sparkled with nonchalant savagery, with one enormous diamond near the center of her forehead. The rest was smooth as glass.
Stopped cold, small and absurdly blonde Yeva caught her reflection in the queen's mirror-silver eyes. Like looking upon something she should never have seen, she couldn't glance to anything else. Her body had become as frozen as the palace around her. It took someone draping a blanket over her shoulders for her to finally turn.
A ballerina made of ice and dressed in snow trotted gracefully away before Yeva looked back to the Snow Queen.
"I didn't think you would sleep for such a short time." Her voice was cool, but softer than expected. "If I had known you would have woken so early, I would have prepared something for you to wear other than that night gown."
Yeva gaped. "What happened?"
"I watched you crash into that tree. If left in the snow, you would have died." Her objective features bent in the way an expert jeweler might find the tiniest crack in a diamond. "I retrieved you."
"Thank you, but…"
"I know you must be confused, but I watch over all my people. There is nothing I cannot see, and we've viewed each other countless times through my statue in town. I appreciate finally meeting you in person."
Yeva finally touched the blanket around her shoulders. "I had no idea."
"It's nothing to be concerned about. You've never made a fool of yourself."
Moments passed as Yeva's breath escaped her and the Snow Queen didn't exhale at all. She appeared to die between bouts of conversation, her eyes not quite settled on Yeva's face, but a little lower. They seemed to catch on her hair collected on her shoulders.
Finally, Yeva said, "I'm grateful to you for saving me, Snow Queen, but I need to return. I left my sister alone."
"I'm aware, but—" Slowly, she moved her left arm to the mirror, whose reflective face showed the forest outside. Hail and snow beat the trees as the wind shook them, but after a few seconds, the Snow Queen withdrew her hand. The image disappeared. "The storm is too intense to try and return, but once it clears, it will be safe for you to leave."
"Don't you control it? That's what everyone in town said."
The Snow Queen turned her face as her eyes closed. She displayed her frosty lashes for several seconds, sighing. "I can't always control such things."
"Then what should I do?"
"Remain here. I'll keep you clothed and fed until it's time for you to go."
The Snow Queen raised her arm again, causing a flurry within the throne room. From that miniature storm, a neatly folded pile of clothes dropped into Yeva's arms, including a new pair of pants and a crisp white shirt, with a simple but elegant coat. Its crème fabric had a few tan buttons sewn carefully along one side and at the pockets. If found in a store, it would have cost a fortune.
"I was never certain how you braved winters in that old coat of yours. Though you may not be affected by the cold now, I would be glad to see you wear this in the future."
"How is it that I don't feel cold, Snow Queen?"
"Come. I'll show you."
Yeva hesitated before stepping forward. Taking in a breath, she walked toward the throne and stopped before its Queen, who must have been ten feet tall now that they stood near enough for comparison.
Rising, the Snow Queen kneeled to Yeva and placed hands upon her shoulders, surrounding Yeva entirely. Whether overwhelmed or completely frozen, she hardened in place and the Snow Queen pressed her lips gently to her forehead.
A chill passed over her—beginning from the point of the kiss to her coiling toes, but stole any freezing sensation. Yeva no longer experienced unpleasant feelings, nor pleasure. She merely found her own reflection in the Snow Queen's eyes and had nothing to say.
"There." The Snow Queen moved back to her throne after touching Yeva's hair. "That should sustain you a while."
"Thank you," Yeva said and walked away.