Another blade of snow-crusted wind cut through Cinder's hood as Nainsi struggled against the ferocious storm. She wheezed between chapped lips against the fur shielding her face as the tip of her nose grew frosty crystals. Between gusts of stinging cold and the black sky of night, it was a wonder how they managed to weave around trees without damage.
The navigation must have been left exclusively to Nainsi, Cinder thought, as Kai's vision seemed just as clouded by the weather as hers. Other than the occasional tap on the portscreen and a slight shift in the sleigh's direction, he made no motions to steer. Fastened tightly around a small railing on the sled's interior, the leather reigns slowly became dusted by white fluff from lack of movement. The mix of pixels and colors that created the holographic reindeer had long since disappeared, unnecessary on the deserted plain.
Clutching the edge of the seat with all her might, Cinder fought the constant jerking caused by their sleek maneuvering. Her struggles made little difference; every sharp turn tossed her against Kai's shoulder or the hard wood of the siding. Their collisions had become so frequent their apologies stopped, both focusing all their energy to avoid spilling out of the vehicle. Battered and bruised, she could only imagine how sore both of them would be in the morning, given they made it through the storm.
"You can see the cabin just beyond those patch of trees," Kai shouted over the howling wind. His arm outstretched into the darkness, pointing to some hidden forest disguised by the night. Rather than inform him nothing could be seen under the cloak of a snowstorm, she nodded and relied on trusting him instead.
A branch from a towering pine tree caught her hood in its grasp and pulled it away from her head. Crying out as the blistering wind chilled her ears, she ducked as more needled branches clawed at her hair. Another whine filled the air, though to Cinder's surprise, it wasn't her own.
"My paint is probably in shreds! How are we going to afford a touchup on your meager salary?" Nainsi cried to herself.
Snow slipped down the back of Cinder's neck as Kai's hand drew her hood back over her face, protecting her from any further frostbite. "It can't be helped," Kai informed his friend, "This path is safer than the open hills."
"You owe me polished runners for this."
Once they crossed the trail of bristly tree arms, the black sky allowed a sliver of light from the thin moon to illuminate a box of ashen wood. Logs layered on top of one and other built sturdy walls, contrasting against the flimsy door swinging with the wind. Shutters locked tight and chimney without smoke, 'abandoned' seemed too kind a word to describe the desolate barricade.
Kai wasted no time parking Nainsi against the house where the snow could not reach her. Fumbling around the supplies in the back of the sleigh, he pulled out a series of tangled wires while simultaneously typing in commands on the portscreen. After a brief pause, Nainsi shuddered like a pulse passing over her entire body, shaking Cinder along with her. The light on the screen went dark and the sleigh went still – without fuss from Nainsi, to Cinder's surprise.
"She's just charging," Kai answered her thoughts. "It's her form of sleeping. In the morning she'll be all ready to take us on our way."
Grabbing a handful of supplies, he led the way into the damp cabin where a series of flakes found their way onto the woven rug. Though the door appeared to float like paper wafting on an air current, from the inside it became clear the door would hold once the lock was set in place. Kai proved her suspicions correct, swinging down the deadbolt and pushing the excess cold from the room.
Shaking the clinging snow from her clothing, Cinder found herself staring at the insides of the measly shack. An empty fireplace rested in the corner, most of the ash washed out by the wind. Naked candelabras hung on the walls some with glass bulbs still stuck on their handles, lining a path into the upstairs. Technology may have been extinct on Iceland territory, however electricity had less of controversy surrounding it.
Dropping his supplies onto the floor, Kai scouted the house for any unexpected guests. As Nainsi's instructions had assured them, not even recent hints of life could be found anywhere on the premises. He returned with only a bundle of carved logs, setting them next to the fire while dusting himself free of frost.
"Found these in the attic," he said motioning to the parcel. "I'll try to get a fire started. Unfortunately there isn't any bedding so the floor with have to do."
Standing awkwardly in the middle of the empty room, Cinder watched uncomfortably as Kai began unstrapping the wood. It felt all too familiar; standing by and watching as the servants mulled about the palace, fulfilling her every wish. When she was younger, she often pestered Iko about helping cook the meal only to be escorted from the kitchen at every attempt.
Cinder sighed. "What can I do?"
Cutting the remainder of the ties with a decorated knife, Kai turned towards her in surprise. Balling her hands into fists and straightening her back, she made her position as clear and determined as her heart. Instead of brushing her off as she feared he would, he beckoned her over with a faint smile playing at his lips.
Kneeling across from him, Kai handed her two chalky rocks from his supplies. "Hit those two rocks together and try to start a spark."
He tossed a couple logs into the fireplace before she started, battering the two stones together as hard as she could. Chopping off sharp edges and parts that couldn't be burned, Kai watched her useless buffeting for a few minutes. Soon his laughter could not be contained, earning a menacing glare from a frustrated Cinder.
"Here," he leaned over and took her hands in his, no warmth able to seep through their thick gloves. Holding the rocks an inch apart from each other, he gently guided her hands in a smooth downward motion. The rocks struck each other at an angle, jagged edges scratching against callused stone. A dance of sparks sprung from the rocks that made Cinder gasp, unconsciously drawing away into Kai's arms.
"It's alright," he soothed. "Just keep the direction of the stones away from yourself and the sparks won't touch you."
She gave a small laugh at her own fright. "They're actually pretty."
He shrugged. "I never thought of it that way."
Letting her get back to her own devices, he waited patiently as she tried vigorously to set the logs aflame. Most of her trials resulted in embers, but none latched on to create a suitable fire. Kai would occasionally cut in with some advice – how to move her hands, her speed and strength – however, he never made any motions to intervene.
Eventually, one spark flew into the heart of the pile. A flurry of lights sprang from the one cinder, the peaks of the flames rapidly growing in size. Red flakes ate away the rough bark and replaced them with vivid blazes that filled the fireplace to the brim. Smoke bunched at the fireplace's roof, slowly making its way through the chimney. The smell itched the insides of her nostrils and brought water to her eyes – not that she cared.
Her heart was too busy fluttering with pride that she had succeeded at something on her own.
"It's just a fire," Kai mentioned, though he too seemed proud she managed the small feat.
But to Cinder, it was more than anything she'd done her entire life. She could relay monologues in the language of Greenlanders, she could write up legal contracts in her sleep, and she could make speeches to unite entire nations – at least she hoped she could. However, the few things she couldn't do – practical things – were the very things most people did every day.
And for the first time since her meeting with the Snow Queen, her heart felt as warm as the cinders in the fire.
It's been so long, I know! I had hoped to get this out the first week of September, but one thing popped up after another . . .
Apologies ahead of time for grammatical errors, this chapter was a bit rushed.
Cheesehead101: Thank you very much! Ze'ev definitely starts out darker, but he eventually becomes the sweetheart we all know and love :)
MalikaDaughterOfWisdom: Definitely! Scarlet and Wolf are just too cute not to have fluff :)
Montana89: That was one of the sweetest reviews I've ever received :) Thank you so much!
Guest: Thank you! Next time I won't keep you waiting as long!
Next chapter will be up in October (No excuses) and hopefully sooner rather than later.
Thank you, thank you, thank you - thank you all for your support for this story. I am thankful for each and every one of you! Please read and review!