Ice.
Even through his thick, fur gloves and her luxurious coat, Kai could feel how cold her body was – cold like ice.
The surprising jolt of chill reflexively pulled his hand back as the girl spun to face the foreign object that rested on her shoulder. Fiery brown eyes found his, an awareness settling into their wild pupils, as if the girl had just awoken from a trance. Unlike so many of the Iceland citizens he'd seen mulling about, her skin was kissed by the sun and had a heat that lacked in the paler tones. It puzzled him; she appeared so warm while to the touch she was so cold.
Mind clear of any lingering dreaminess, she finally registered him with surprise and – could that be fear? Though Kai admitted he unintentionally surprised her, he hardly thought his ruffled hair and unkempt clothing was frightening. Instantly, the girl cast her eyes to the white ground and pulled the edge of her fur-lined hood over her face. It was too late, both of them knew; he had already seen her face.
Her mysteriousness confounded him, but nevertheless he pursued his reason for stopping her. "Excuse me, Miss. I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of 2463-3373552?"
Kai heard her suck in a shaky breath and watched as she took the slightest step backward. It might have gone unnoticed had she not backed herself into the window of the closest shop and shook free some snow from the roof. It plummeted to the ground between them, sending enough surprise into the girl to lift her off the ground. Nevertheless, she did not let her minor heart attack keep her from shielding her face from him.
Allowing his eyes to wander slightly, he noticed a candle in the window blow out after the girl disrupted the pane. Kai faintly pieced together an image of Iceland's late King and Queen over the girl's shoulder – had that been what had entranced her so intently earlier? A sudden change in the girl's posture pulled his attention back to her. Her shoulders had pivoted into a defensive stance against him.
The hands clutching her hood began to tremble, but a sharpness found its way into her voice. "Why?"
Trying not to let her sudden fierceness disrupt him, Kai put some authority into his own voice. "I was hired to deliver two shipments of portscreens to that address by noon today and have no intention of being late."
She paused as if expecting a different answer. "What?" she asked, baffled.
"I'm here to deliver new portscreens to–"
"No, I understand – it's just – I mean," she cleared her throat and straightened, relief replacing the fear in her. "Technology is forbidden in the palace."
The palace? Kai turned paler than the fluff covering the street they stood on. As if being asked to make a delivery to Iceland's capital wasn't odd enough, this girl claimed the address he was given was of the palace. Where technology was – understandably – forbidden.
Taking in his shock, the girl peeked out from beneath her hood. "You – You're not from around here, are you?"
Her words woke him from the astonishment paralyzing his body. His mind backpedaled from wrapping itself around his journey for the past few days and tried forming an answer. "No – I'm from the Norwegian Port."
Curiosity sparked in the girl's almond shaped eyes, bringing to life sparks of golden flecks in her irises. Something else glittered as well – excitement, like the prospect of being in the presence of someone from such an unusual place arose butterflies in her stomach. Bashfully, Kai's cheeks heated, unused to being appraised for being a foreigner.
"If it's alright for me to ask, who made such an order?"
Her inquiry surprised him, more so that he didn't quite know himself. From his back pocket, he dug out a small handheld device and warmed it between his gloves before springing the screen to life. Lights and words glowed as he scrolled through an impossibly long list of orders in search for his most reason. Kai couldn't help but notice the girl's wide eyes intently watching his every movement.
Reaching the bottom, he relayed the information. "Ordered two days ago by a Ms. Cassiopeia, no last name. Had specific instructions to deliver before noon on November twenty-ninth to provided address. Electronically purchased and requested."
"Two days ago . . ." the girl scowled darkly, an action that twisted her rather beautiful features into a menacing look. Despite her obvious unease, she stayed silent, muddling over something in her mind.
Unable to wait any longer, Kai probed, "What is it?"
"It's . . . nothing," she finally answered, in a tone even she believed even less than he did. Waving her hand to shake away the thoughts, she continued. "Just paranoid antics."
"Considering I could be executed for treason trying to smuggle technology into Iceland's palace," Kai insisted, "Paranoid antics sound very promising."
She lifted her head, forgetting whatever repercussions she had about showing him her face, and met his eyes. Intensity filled her gaze, the eyes of a grey wolf watching the sky brew up a storm that would rip apart its den. It was not the only feature of hers he now noticed; her wavy hair was tied at the nape of her neck, strands swinging loose in the wind.
"Cassiopeia," she began, certainty flowing into her words. "Is a constellation. It means 'The Queen'."
A note on the palace address; if you type it into a keypad, it spells out Cinderella :)
Banana Kisses: I'm excited for her too! I already have her chapter written. And your compliment was so sweet! It was one of the greatest I've ever received! Thank you so much, for it and your fabulous review!
Malika DaughterOfWisdom: Indeed it is! :)
lunartic: I'm glad you are enjoying the story! And sorry about the cliffhangers . . . as for the voice, its owner was on the street, Cinder just didn't realize it. You'll find out who it is in the next few chapters! I'm really enjoying your reviews, thanks a lot!
Looking forward to seeing everyone again in the next chapter! Thanks for reading and please review!