Winter's Heart

by pleaseneversearchthisup

The Winter Solstice. That was when my life became hell. Mysty is one of the High Fae of the Autumn Court: fiery, arrogant, and fierce. A respected messenger of the High Lord Beron, she is allowed out once to the Winter territory to celebrate the Solstice. But when she is sent on a suicide mission, she must utilise her strength, use her talents, and save the one she loves. AU

2. Message

Thanks for the review, curlygirly! You'll see what happens in the next chapter! ;)

Sunlight streamed weakly through the orange-tinted glass of the Throne Room of the Autumn Court. I stood at my messenger's post, somewhat close to Beron's throne. I gave Alyx a small smirk to where he stood on the other side of the room, and he stuck his tongue out at my higher rank. His face quickly dropped to neutral as the giant, acacia doors burst open. A huge ripple of power flooded through the room, reminding us all of the power he held. Though not as much as the Night Court's High Lord. I shook the thought from my mind as my High Lord entered the room grandly, his crown of autumn leaves sitting atop his brown hair, his cape of rough, but light fabric drifting behind him in the small breeze. My High Lady stood beside him, her auburn bangs framing her beautiful face. The court bowed in unison, keeping our heads lowered in respect as they walked towards the thrones. In my peripheral vision, I glanced around quickly for any signs of the other messengers, for Kayle, or the other well-known messenger, Kara. I saw no sign of them, their places near the throne empty. Shrugging it off, and telling myself that they were most likely sick, I listened to Beron.

"Well." He seemed displeased. "Looks like you've finally learnt how to bow properly."

Nobody moved. Beron didn't react. He probably knew that we were all terrified of him.

I kept staring at the swirling patterns on the marble floor, and almost jumped in fright as he halted in front of me. Not showing any emotion, I glued my eyes to the vague outline of a maple leaf in the shining marble.

"You." His voice boomed through the large throne room, and I knew his eyes were on me. But I kept my head down. "You're the new messenger." Not a question. A statement. I inclined my head very slightly, strands of hair falling over my shoulders. "Rise." A command not to the court, but to me only. I stood, surprised my body wasn't shaking like hell. Although, I kept my head bowed. I felt him step closer. "Look at me, fae." I slowly lifted my chin to look up at his pointed face.

"I have a task for you. I need you to go to the Winter Court and give a message to their High Lord." He paused. "Tell him that his Winter magic is coming over the border, into our territory. He needs to stop it." He opened his mouth as if to say something else, but closed it quickly. "Naiomi will take you to the border." Another High Fae gripped my arm faster than I could react, and winnowed us away.

I stumbled away from Naiomi, who's face was cold and emotionless. Again, before I could say anything, she disappeared, and I was left alone at the Winter border once more. It had only been a few days since the Solstice, and already I was heading back into dangerous territory. Literally. Smirking at my own pun, I looked around at the border, with the mountains not too far to my right. Stepping through the border, I felt magic shimmering around me, sealing the border behind me. I spun around, pushing against the invisible border. Nothing happened. I couldn't go back. I hammered a fist against the wall of magic, and pressed a palm against it as I realised what had happened. Beron never intended for me to return. A low sigh escaped me, my breath condensing and turning into fog. I guess I'll go deliver that message, then. I thought, gritting my teeth as I stormed off towards the palace of ice.