A/N: I've been gone for nearly a year and during that time, haven't visited this site at all except to respond to PMs. Sorry for the delay. Life did its thing, but I survived and got through it. This book is actually completed; I just need to transcribe everything and post. I hope all is well with you and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 9
He quickly knelt down locking his fingers as she sprinted and planted a boot in his open palms, he lobbing her in a rolling somersault over the massive stone walls, she landing on a knee, her gaze narrowing searching the quiet frosty darkness.
"I don't see her," she whispered.
"She's easy to find," he whispered back, an edge to his voice. "She's a blue haired pain in the ass—"
"I'm telling you, she's not here," she whisper shouted, touching the earpiece. "It's empty."
She heard him give a deep sigh.
"Has anyone crossed the ridge yet?"
"No," he replied, "Makes no sense."
She-Ra slowly stood, her gaze scanning the abandoned fort. "This had better not be a trap."
"Knowing her it could be," her brother scoffed.
"Then again, Light Hope said the ransom was sixteen thousand carats for the Snow Princess," she stated, now stealthily moving about the snow-clotted ground assessing the rotted wooden shacks strewn about the periphery. "So if it is a prank, Light Hope most certainly would not be party to it."
"Fair point," He-Man replied, his gaze scanning the darkness. "Who called it in?"
"The Princess' Royal Guard," she whispered, "And from what I understand, in a complete panic." She stopped and did a double take, peering at what she perceived to be glowing eyes snapping closed disappearing into inky blackness. "Uh ohh…"
Her brother frowned. "What?"
Her eyes widened. "We walked into an amb –"
Suddenly, flaming arrows came straight at her from all directions, hundreds zipping through the frigid night air as she reached behind her back grabbing the Protection Sword with lightning speed, batting them away, arrows landing awkwardly squelched by the snow as others hit the wooden shacks, setting the wood aflame.
"Shit—!" He-Man dropped to a knee placing his fingers on the dampened dirt road and like a shot, sprinted at the wall vaulting over the thirty-foot structure off a round off back handspring and landing Sword in hand, back-to-back with his sister as they blocked the arrows coming at them with such fury it was difficult to determine which direction the assault originated from.
"Let me go—!"
He-Man snapped his head left—
"I got this!" his sister shouted as he sheathed the Weapon and bolted left slamming his shoulder into the old wooden door splintering it to pieces, his head snapping right catching the tail end of a torch scurrying down the spiral stone staircase and disappearing into the darkness below.
"I said, take your grubby little hands off of me—!" the voice demanded irritated.
His gaze narrowing, the Blond took several stairs at a time, moving quickly down the darkened spiral palming the dank stone walls finally reaching the bottom as the orange light disappeared around a corner.
"STOP—!"
He-Man sprinted down the murky halls swatting at cobwebs, taking the corner tight and reaching, he grabbed a furry collar, the torch hitting the dampened ground plunging them into cold darkness, the sound of someone crying out, stumbling and falling awkwardly.
The Warrior slammed the kidnapper against the wall, pulled the glowing Sword from behind his shoulder and reverse grip buried the sharp end into the wall dangerously close to the man's ear illuminating the culprit revealing silver eyes widened with shock, the man shivering.
"No!
The taller man snapped his head down past his left shoulder to see Princess Frosta jumping to her feet and scrambling towards him, her hands wrapping around his left bicep.
"That's my fiancé, let him go!" she screamed.
Confused, He-Man frowned and snapped his head back to the man, sapphire and silver locked in silence, the man trembling. Angry, he glanced back down at his ex.
"—the hell are you doing—?"
"I said let him GO, Adam! We're playing a game," she explained, irritated. "What are you doing here anyway?" she pulled at his arm.
Incensed, his gaze pinned her down. Understanding dawning Frosta suddenly stopped, her eyes going round as she clapped a hand over her mouth, snapping her head to the shorter man who now seemed confused.
"Did you say Adam?" he asked. "Isn't that the name of your Eternian ex-fiancé?"
Silence.
"This is He-Man of Greyskull, is it not, My Beloved?" he asked for clarity, blinking in confusion.
More silence, He-Man slowly meeting the other man's gaze, the man going white and swallowing hard.
The Warrior suddenly released the man, yanking the Weapon out of the wall, flipping the hilt of the Sword in his fingers and sheathing it behind him in one smooth stroke.
"You have me confused with someone else," he grunted, his gaze going back down to the Snow Princess now biting her lip and hugging herself apologetically.
The sound of running boots echoing off the walls met them, She-Ra carrying Protection in her left grip, Greyskull's power bathing all of them in a ghostly glow.
"What happened? Are you guys alright?"
Pressing his lips together, her brother turned and walked toward her shaking a thumb behind his shoulder. "Forget it. Let's go—"
"Wait!"
She-Ra and He-Man whirled, their matching blue gazes pinned on the Princess' silver ones, her shaken fiancé bending down retrieving the torch attempting to re-light it.
Opening her mouth she closed it, then tried again. "I'm sorry. We should have been more conscientious—"
"Ya think?" he snapped.
Annoyed, she put her hands on her hips. "I don't need your help!" she shouted, "I can take care of myself!"
During the silent stare down, She-Ra's eyes volleyed between the two of them, a hand on her brother's arm. "Perhaps you should have informed your Guard, Your Highness? Apparently, they do not share the same confidence in your self-sufficiency."
Offended, Frosta's mouth fell open as despite the annoyance, He-Man coughed to hide an amused snort. "Next time, either let someone know you're out here or keep it in the bedroom," he said before walking away, his sister's eyebrows flying upward before turning and jogging to catch up, the two disappearing around the corner.
Livid, Frosta gasped, her lover having lit the torch and raising it eye level. He studied her.
"What was that about, and why was he so angry, My Beloved?"
"Her eyes straight ahead she narrowed her gaze before waving a dismissive hand. "Forget it."
xx
The Twins climbed the dank staircase in silence and made it to the surface, He-Man balling his fist and punching the giant wooden doors to pieces before exiting, She-Ra arching an eyebrow before following.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, the turquoise hue of pre-dawn peeking just below the frosty horizon. She removed her earpiece.
"Care to talk about it?"
"Not really," he replied, his eyes straight ahead.
"Okay—"
"She used my name in front of him, Sister."
Her eyes widened. "WHAT?"
He glanced at her, his eyes moving back to the road.
"On purpose?"
He shook his head. "I don't think so."
She-Ra furrowed her brow. "Didn't she try that before? And why didn't Greyskull catch it this time?"
He shrugged as they continued to walk.
His sister lifted her chin, her eyes going distant. She turned to him. "Light Hope wants to know the nature of our mission here on Etheria and wishes to offer his assistance."
They stopped and stared at each other.
"What the fuck is going on?" he shouted perturbed.
-Eternos Palace -
"Come!"
Duncan entered the King's offices and gave a neck bow, Lady Daria closing the door behind him.
"Your Majesty."
Randor glanced up from his desk, "Yes my friend, what is it?" he asked, his eyes going back to his papers.
"The Sorceress says your children were activated late last night."
The King's eyes snapped up to the Commander's.
"And Greyskull did not summon them. Neither did Crystal Castle," he added gravely.
Randor abruptly stood. "Where are they? Are they alright?"
"Yes, Sire," he reassured with a nod. "Apparently, the Princess of the Snows went missing and The Guard dispatched a search party. The Twins were inadvertently summoned from their vacation in T'Allarma," he explained. "Teela-Na sensed the transformation and opened a portal assuming her counterpart on Etheria had requested aid."
The King blinked at him. "But he didn't."
Duncan shook his head. "No. He did not."
He scowled. "And who did?"
"It's not known at this time, Sire."
Randor folded his arms and moved to the window, his troubled hazel gaze fixing on a nearby fir powdered with freshly fallen snow.
"There's something else—"
Irritated, the King whirled on him, "Besides that woman sharing the same air with my son without his security detail?"
Duncan nodded. "The Princess may have blown the Prince's cover."
Randor's gaze ignited in fury.
"And Sire, may I remind you that Greyskull's Warrior does not require the protection of The Crown Prince's security detail—"
"I know, I know!" he shouted waving a contemptuous hand.
The door opened, the Queen appearing looking a question, spreading her hands. Farrell gave a neck bow.
"Have you forgotten breakfast, Love?"
Concerned over the early morning report, Randor gave a sigh and approached, kissing her cheek. "No, my darling."
With a small smile, Marlena turned. "Have you eaten yet?"
"No, Your Majesty. Early morning security checks."
She gestured a coax. "Then please join us, Farrell," she turned to accept her husband's hand. "It's my understanding that the governor of Lyvinia and his wife have arrived with some distressing news…," she trailed off.
Disturbed, Randor and Duncan exchanged worried looks, the two men following the Queen.
-T'Allarma -
Adora helped Adam make breakfast.
"This whole thing is creepy."
"I know," he replied pulling something out of the refrigerator.
Adora opened a cabinet and pulled out the container of coffee grounds. "Neither Greyskull or Crystal Castle knew anything about Frosta's sexual romp last night."
Adam straightened and snapped a glance at his sister as she nonchalantly filled the carafe with water. Blinking, he broke some eggs. "If you can call it that."
Amused, Adora hid a grin. "That comment sounded a little too close to jealousy, Brother," she snorted. "Pretty passive-aggressive. Are you angry that she's replaced you so soon?"
Focusing on beating the eggs, he coughed a laugh. "Yeah. Sure."
The coffee started, she approached and unwrapped a loaf of freshly baked bread, slicing it in thick pieces before arranging it on a sheet pan.
Setting the bowl on the counter, he washed some vegetables and began chopping them. Standing next to him, she slid him a look. "You don't have to admit it, but it's written all over your face," she said wryly.
He poured the bowl of vegetables into a sizzling hot pan and flipped them. "I don't have a jealous bone in my body."
"That's not what the Captain said," she replied, placing the buttered bread into the oven.
Frowning, Adam whirled around. "I am not, nor was I ever jealous of Didimus."
"I'm afraid the gentleman doth protest too much," Adora snorted.
Adam squinted at her before pouring orange juice into two short glasses. "Keep it up and I'm sending you home, Sis."
Adora burst into laughter, Adam marginally amused as the two finished up, plating the morning meal and walking it out to the deck.
xx
It was a beautiful morning, the sun having awakened in the East already sharing its warm comforting rays, the crystal cerulean ocean swelling and breaking in its familiar rhythm, seabirds singing and darting about the soft ivory sands, a gentle tropical breeze ruffling the palm trees as they took their seats.
Adora twisted her blonde locks in a bun spearing it with a decorative hair stick. She leaned over pouring coffee for them before snitching a piece of chilled sliced melon and taking a bite. Adam studied her.
"You can't be serious."
"As a heart attack, Brother," she retorted taking a bite of the perfectly toasted buttery bread.
He tried not to glare. "I am not jealous. It's impossible."
"She told me that you and Major Hall had plenty of run-ins whenever Teela was the subject," Adora replied munching on the delicious omelet. She looked at him. "Now this guy with Frosta—"
"Hell no," he nearly shouted. "The last time I saw her she was threatening to expose me unless I made her my wife so no way," he waved off stabbing at the eggs, "And Didimus can just be an ass sometimes," he took a bite.
Adora raised her palms in mock surrender. "But remember what Dad said about you being equally up to the task of the aforementioned ass-ness."
Adam nearly choked, both of them dissolving into laughter.
"No argument there."
Adora snorted a chuckle. "I tease but in all seriousness, you only have eyes for Captain Dynamo even though you're being strange about Frosta."
Eyebrows raised, her brother's eyes cut to her as she took a sip of orange juice. "Captain Dynamo?"
She shrugged a shoulder. "Yes. She is incredible and perfect for you…the whole…how do they say, package?"
He nodded.
"And she loves you. Despite your shortcomings," she added munching cheekily.
The two grinned at each other.
"There's that SPICE," Adam sarcastically observed. "Either the therapy's finally working or there's something in the water down here," he retorted, taking the glass away from her and eyeing it before sliding it out of reach.