Clarion went to the border, the roar of cheers in her room from the games too much to bear. Here it was silent and peaceful. Here she could escape from the world. Pulling on her warm cape of cotton and leaves, she buttoned it tight and stepped across the border.
The gust of cold crisp air brushed over her skin and breathed life into her lungs. It always invigorated her. For years now she had been secretly crossing into winter, and she knew the edge of the border well. The snow crunching under her boots was music to her ears as she went to her special place under the evergreen tree.
A white spotted owl swooped down and landed before her with a chirp.
"Hello, Mountain," she smiled at her friend. "I'm afraid I didn't bring you any worms today. They are a bit heavy to carry, you know." She scratched her friend's chest and looked up at him.
He had found her one day a little over a year ago. At first she had been terrified, but then he had hopped up to her and hooted as if waiting. When he wouldn't leave, she had slowly reached out and scratched his head. Ever since, he greeted her at least weekly at the border.
"Why are your warm-weather cousins not so kind to fairies, hmm? Perhaps you could talk to them for me. They refuse to listen to me or my animal fairies," she smiled.
He suddenly flew away, to her confusion.
"Mountain!" she called, not wanting to be alone tonight. She turned around. And let out a scream when she stood face-to-face with a male fairy.
His hair was as white as the snow and shoulder length with half of it pulled back into a ponytail. His eyes were piercingly blue like ice, his chin gorgeously square. His physique was broad and powerful, and she only came up to his chin. What suddenly drew her attention, however, was the fact that he wore a gray-blue, sleeveless leaf shirt and pants. He was clearly not dressed for the cold, and his skin was very pale from the temperature.
"What are you doing?!" she practically screeched. "You can't be over here like that!"
His pale eyebrows rose in surprise, but he didn't flinch another muscle.
"Go!" She grabbed his hand but let go of it just as suddenly and leapt back.
He was icy cold-too cold to be alive. Staring in shock, she didn't know what to do.
"You're a warm fairy," he said in a deep timber, with an accent that sounded like a lullaby to her ears. His brow furrowed. "How are you here?"
She stared at him like a madwoman.
He suddenly scooped her up and started flying to the border.
"Set me down!" she ordered when she came out of her stupor and started to struggle.
Quickly landing so she wouldn't fall, he set her to her feet. And he looked angry. "Does the Queen know you're here?!" he demanded. "Warm fairies will die over here! You certainly did not get permission from anyone on this side!" he boomed.
She startled at his display of temper, and then she frowned. "Who are you to order me about?!...Wait, there are more of you?" she asked in amazement.
He shook his head. "That is what you got out of this conversation? Get over the border or I'll-"
"You'll what?" she demanded and pulled back her hood to reveal her crown.
In the blink of an eye, he knelt. "Forgive me, Queen Clarion. I did not realize who you were."
"Who are you?" she demanded when he stood.
"Milori, my lady."
No one ever called her anything besides "Queen Clarion," and "my lady" caught her offguard. Quickly composing herself, she demanded, "What is your talent?"
She could have sworn a smile started to tug at his lips.
"A frost fairy, my lady."
"How many fairies are over here?"
"84, my lady. The talents range from frost to snowflake making to-"
"Who is in charge here? And why have I not been made aware of fairies being here?" she cut in.
His eyebrow quirked. "The Lord of Winter. There is no way to contact the warm fairies, just like there is no way for warm fairies to contact us."
"Then how to do you know about me?" she asked, quirking her eyebrow.
This time there was a twinkle in his eye. He was laughing at her!
"It is hard to miss you flying along at night-your wings glow brightly. You should take care to not be out when the bats are."
Her mouth fell open. "Oh really?" She crossed her arms over her chest, ignoring the fact that her feet and nose were growing cold. "And what other wisdom do you want to bestow upon me?"
A smile cracked his lips and he looked away to hide it.
"Is there something amusing?" she asked dryly.
He looked at her. "No, my lady. You are a bit arrogant, like the rumors say, though." His eyes twinkled.
Her heart fell. She didn't know that the fairies thought her arrogant. It was hard keeping three seasons running on time and ensuring dozens of fairies had everything they needed to survive. Natural disasters were her responsibility to figure out how to clean up and repair the damage. Diseases were hers to cure, being the one with the most powers.
"I meant no offense," he said softly, cutting into her thoughts.
A queen never lost her composure. A queen was never weak. She raised her chin, shoving away her hurt. "Tell this Lord of Winter that I request his presence tomorrow midday at the border. And to bring his advisors. I want a full account of who and what exactly is over here. My ministers will be taking note." She turned to leave.
"Is that all?"
She turned, expecting to see a smirk on his face but he was serious.
"Should there be more?"
He looked a bit crestfallen and simply bowed. "No, my lady."
She left and wasn't too happy when the winter man haunted her dreams.