Hey guys. I can see y'all want more of "Ice Devil's Angel," which makes me happy to hear. However, to get back into the groove of things, I've been given a golden opportunity by none other than the famous GraLu author, LadySVI, to take on her story "Bride of the Ice God," which originally belongs to the author writer4everr.
The reason Lady-san abandoned it was because her idea of where it should've gone didn't match with the plot of what writer4everr had and decided to pass it on to me to publish. So, that's what I'll be doing for the next couple of months for you guys while I try to re-establish my ideas and outline with "Ice Devil's Angel."
Anyway! Hope everyone is doing well!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its character. I do not own this plot. This plot belongs to writer4everr.
Bride of the Ice God
Chapter Twelve
Here to Stay, Don't Make Me Leave
12 12 12
Lucy - Flashback
"Lucy," her father, Jude, called, a tinge of sadness lacing his tone.
She was serving her mother, Layla, tea, as she recently came down with a little cold. Her father and her believed it was due to the freeze their village has been in for some time.
"Yes, father?" She looked up, concern on her face.
"You've been..." He seemed to collect himself. "You've been chosen to be the sacrifice to the Ice God."
Layla dropped her tea cup. Shattered glass splintered the ground. "No," Layla whispered, tears gathering in the corner of her eyes. "Not my Lucy."
Lucy was petrified, her entire being going numb at the news. As much as she wanted to evade this, it was her duty as a citizen. She didn't have much of a choice really. If she fled or if her parents hid her, they would live in disgrace as social outcasts, even if the refused as well. She cursed the good looks her mother gave her because the elders voted on sacrifices based on beauty and age.
She sat on the edge of her parent's bed and gently squeezed her mother's hands. "It'll be okay, Mother."
Despite the smile she gave to her carbon copy, fear filled her body and gripped her heart. She's heard the rumors of the Ice God. No one really knew if he was a beautiful man or a terrifying beast, and she certainly didn't want to find out.
There was wild, obnoxious knocking at their door. Many disgruntled shouts and voices could be heard.
"They've already come for you," her father said brokenly.
Her mother squeezed her hands again, pulling Lucy into a final hug. The tears of her mother dripped down her cheeks onto her clothes, and Lucy felt her own tears leave. Her father quickly joined in, as if knowing this would be the last time they'd be together like this.
Gray - Present
"Not really my taste," Gray replied diplomatically as a handmaiden showed him a sample artwork. "Tell Reedus that the next time he wants to make a sales pitch, I'm looking for less warm colors. Doesn't really match the palace vibe. He should try talking to Natsu about those." The handmaiden ducked her head meekly and fled the room.
He sighed; this was a complete waste of time. The Ice God was sitting in the foyer of his palace with Natsu. This morning he was supposed to be preoccupied with Reedus's art show but all of them weren't really his style.
Natsu snickered. "Harsh. Just the way you always are, you've never changed." He paused. "That is until Lucy came."
Gray raised an eyebrow. "How so?" he demanded.
"Eh, come on Gray. You've gotten soft." He pointed a finger at him in an almost accusing way. "She's making your heart all warm and squishy!" he poked me in the ribcage.
Gray rolled his eyes and let out a disgusted scoff. "Idiot, my heart's not there." He shook my head, why was this guy his best friend? "I'll be on my way, it's almost noon."
He blinked, surprised. "What about preparations for Cana's birthday? I thought we were going to get her present."
Gray groaned as he remembered that it was her birthday in two days. "Yeah, about that…I'll get started on it tomorrow. I have to meet Lucy today," he replied shortly.
"Oohh…that's right. You have your date with Lucy," he teased. "See? I'm right; I've never seen you take anybody to your secret garden. She's special!" he sung out in a high-pitched voice.
God, could he get any more annoying? Gray eyed the glass of water he was holding and narrowed his eyes. The glass of water exploded with pressure, and shaved ice sprayed out onto Natsu's face and kimono. The Fire God let out a loud yelp but as the water touched his skin, it immediately dried.
Gray glared at him, "Damn, fire god," he muttered.
Natsu snorted. "Don't act like you didn't know that was going to happen." He paused and was silent, a rarity when talking about Natsu Dragneel. "H-have you noticed anything different about Lisanna?"
Gray shrugged and looked at him curiously. "Where did this come from? Are you guys having trouble?"
Natsu and Lisanna being together was no secret even though it was looked down upon. However, they had been together for so long that it was hardly scandalous news.
He shook his head, "Nah. She's just been avoiding me lately. I think she may be-pregnant." His face was devoid of any color. Natsu knew what that meant if Lisanna was pregnant.
The Ice God stopped and grabbed him by the collar, "Are you serious?" Gray hissed. "Natsu, you said you wouldn't do anything stupid. This qualifies as being stupid!" he growled out. Having a baby born when both parents were unbounded marked the child as a bastard. Having a bastard child spelt out trouble and people would not turn a blind eye to something like this.
Natsu growled, his onyx eyes glowing an emerald green and his teeth sharpened into fangs. The Fire God pushed Gray off of him and let out a feral growl. "I know what it means! She hasn't told me yet. I found the pregnancy test, it was positive of course. Besides, you never know. We might bond before the baby is born," he insisted defensively.
Gray let out an exasperated sigh, "Listen to yourself, Natsu! 'Might' bond, this isn't guaranteed."
He scowled, "What does it matter? Screw the damn rules that were made during Zeref's time. I don't need rules telling me when I can start a family or not."
Gray's eyes hardened. "You know it's not as easy as that. We're a society built on traditions and ancient rules. They're not going to all of a sudden agree with your reasoning," he replied fiercely.
A soft knock came at the door and Lisanna's voice echoed over the silent den, "Lord Natsu. Can I come in?"
Natsu swallowed hard. "What do I do?" he whispered harshly. "Am I just supposed to ignore what I found?"
Gray cursed under his breath, "Just tell her the truth. Honesty is the best policy," he offered lamely.
Natsu glared at him. "Wow, thanks Confucius. Now my problems are ALL solved."
Gray shrugged helplessly and just called out to Lisanna and let her in. She bowed once and as she caught sight of Natsu, the color vanished out of her face and her lips parted. Nothing came out and she glanced back at Gray but shook her head. She tried once more and this time the words came tumbling out of her mouth. "Lord Natsu, I'm pregnant."
Gray felt his jaw drop and Natsu was speechless hearing the words out of her own mouth. "Li-Lisanna…" He couldn't say anymore and said handmaiden winced at his reaction.
"I'm sorry," she breathed. "I didn't know how to tell you but to just say it. It was stupid of me to think that this wouldn't happen. I can get rid of the baby if you-"
Natsu grabbed her hands. "We're not getting rid of the baby," he stated confidently and firmly. "We're keeping it, I don't care if we're not bonded yet," he declared.
She went wide-eyed, "Lord Natsu, you don't have to do this," she insisted.
He gave her a light smile and kissed her on the cheek. "I want to keep this baby, screw everybody else." Lisanna's cheeks tinted a bright red and her hand trailed unconsciously down to her stomach.
A hesitant smile graced her face and she nodded. "All right," she whispered.
Gray cleared his throat, "Well, I guess now would be an awkward moment to offer my congratulations, nonetheless, congratulations." He scratched the side of his head. "Guess, I'll get a move on." He nodded awkwardly and stepped out of the room when Natsu and Lisanna resumed talking.
The Ice God immediately caught sight of Lucy who was staring bemusedly at the ceiling while leaning against the wall. She straightened up once she noticed him. "How did it go?" she asked anxiously.
Gray frowned. "What are you doing out here? Aren't you supposed to be up in our room?"
She rolled her eyes. "Forget about that real quick - I was helping out Lisanna, did she tell Natsu or not?" she demanded with a haughty flip of her blonde hair.
Gray's lips curled upwards. "You're just so stubborn and impatient. Yes, they're okay."
Lucy let out a huge sigh of relief. "Ah, that's good. I was so worried for her, she was a wreck," she muttered while chewing on her lip.
Gray rose an eyebrow. "She went to you?"
"Well, yes." She shrugged, "Actually, I heard her crying and got her to tell me what was wrong. And she told me about the-er-baby. Why is it so bad for Natsu and Lisanna to be together?" she demanded. "I find it stupid they can't be together," she growled angrily. "Don't you run this place? Can't you do anything?" she searched his face desperately.
He shook his head. "I just run this palace. There's a very strong hierarchy in our society. I don't think I would be able to change all of our traditions."
She pursed her lips, as it usually did when she was in deep thought. "I see…" she said with a trace of a smirk on her face. A scowl came over Gray's face when he realized what she was thinking.
He rolled his eyes. "Lucy. The society already does not think well of you. You can't possibly be thinking of trying to change things."
She shrugged. "I don't like it," she stated firmly.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Gray grabbed her by the arm. "Look, I don't either. We'll come up with something, but, right now…it's time for your surprise." He grinned wickedly.
She looked as if she was going to say something further on the issue of Natsu and Lisanna, but she closed her lips together. "All right, what is the surprise?" she ventured with a cautious tone.
Gray smirked. "It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you."
Lucy eyed him warily. "Why do I all of a sudden feel very cautious?" she wondered aloud in a teasing manner.
He looked down at her. "Hold on tight," he warned.
Nodding, she clung tight to his robes, her knuckles turning white. "Got it," she breathed out in anticipation.
Gray's eyes closed and he let out a small hiss, feeling the magic well up within his veins, surging around and circulating throughout his body. Wind whipped around their bodies and it swirled upwards, her golden locks whipping into his face. He felt his body lift up off the floor for a moment and then, he felt the ground underneath him once more.
Opening his eyes, Gray saw that Lucy's eyes were still glued shut, her teeth chattered with the breezy wind still stirring up the air.
He chuckled. "You can open your eyes now."
Lucy - Present
Lucy peeked out from underneath her eyelashes and gazed around with child-like wonder. There were in a grand garden, but none like she had ever seen before.
Vibrant colors blinded her vision. She slowly uncurled her fingers from Gray's kimono. She walked around slowly taking every plant, flower, and tree in. Large trees with thick, sturdy trunks hung overhead shielding the sky, its leaves a colorful green. Large plants curled upwards to the heavens with little colorful buds peeking out behind the stem. And the thing that drew Lucy's attention straight away was the flowers. Tulips, roses, daises, violets, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers covered the ground in a thick blanket.
"It's…I'm….speechless," she breathed out. "It's like a little Eden." She twirled around looking at everything with careful observance.
Gray walked to her side, "It's as old as me. My mother cultivated it at the time of my birth, and I've been helping her maintain it ever since I was able to walk."
Lucy glanced at him with a small smile playing upon her face, "Gray Fullbuster is a green thumb? I keep learning new things every day." Grinning, she bent over to examine a small red flower that had delicate petals fanned out around a light green stem.
"What's this flower called?" she asked, interest coloring her tone.
He plucked it from the ground and held it up, looking at it solemnly. "This is called the Misery Flower."
Lucy looked up at him, confusion crossing her face. "The Misery Flower?" she echoed. "Why?"
Gray threw the flower in the air and as the flower glided back down into his palm, he fisted his fingers together, crushing the small red petals. The red juice trickled down his skin, like a bloody stream. His eyes went blank. "This is the flower that allows a mortal to turn immortal," he answered quietly.
A silence followed, and Lucy struggled to reply back. "The Misery Flower…" she repeated once more.
He looked upwards. "The chances of surviving after ingesting the Misery Flower is one in ten thousand. Most do not care of the consequences; they are driven for their want for eternal life. This flower has caused so many deaths. The chances of becoming an immortal are slim, but people are willing to gamble their lives. They lose, of course." He chuckled mirthlessly.
"Is that why you don't want me to stay here and turn?" Lucy enquired softly.
Gray slowly nodded and unclenched his fingers letting the broken flower fall to the ground. "There is no way that I'm going to risk your life," he said evenly.
She was silent for a second. "Does that you mean you care for me?" Her eyes widened as she surprised herself for asking him this so brazenly, but she still wanted to hear his answer.
He cocked his head to the side and stared at her with night sky eyes. "More than I'd like to admit." He smirked, almost bitterly. "You need to go back to your village," he said softly. "Before I grow even more attached to you. If that happened, I'd be more tempted to turn you." His face was inches apart from hers.
"I...I don't want to go back," Lucy declared slowly. In her heart, she knew she would regret it. Little by little, she found herself falling for the God of Ice. "I...can't go back," she rephrased. What scared her most was that if she was sent back, how would her village take it? Would she been seen as a rejected sacrifice? How would they treat her and her parents? She couldn't risk it.
His eyes went wide with surprise. "You don't want to go back?" he repeated with disbelief.
Lucy gave a firm nod. "Don't make me go back." Her tone was almost begging. "I want to stay." The thought of home was distant; the only thing that mattered was being here because she felt more alive than she ever did when she was back home at the village. Maybe she could ask Gray for help to heal her mother if she was still ill. But right now, she wanted to stay here with Gray. If that was the wrong thing to do, it sure as hell felt like the farthest thing from wrong.
Gray stepped back and uttered a low curse under his breath. "Do you know how difficult that makes this?" he demanded in a low voice.
Lucy ignored him and shrugged. All thought left her mind, and she stepped closer to him, her gripping his kimono.
Gray shook his head. "Lucy. I already told you why this can't happen."
"I wasn't listening," she replied with a small smile, only meaning to tease him just a bit. She was carefree now, her mood lightening considerably.
Gray glared at her and for a second she thought that he was going to lecture her once more. Instead, he leaned forward, an arm wrapping around her waist and his other cradling the back of her neck as his lips pressed against hers with such force that nearly put her off balance. Gray pulled apart and she panted, trying to regain her breath.
Lucy smiled, blushing. "Why can't this happen again?"
He smirked, whispering in her ear. "It's complicated." He sighed, pulling back. "I'll explain it you later. Is that all right with you?"
Her breath caught in her throat as he kissed her again.
What did he think she was going to say? NO? Hell no.
This was all right with her on so many levels.
Hope this brings back some hope to some fans who thought this was gone forever. Sorry if it wasn't as good as Lady-san's own personal style to it, but I'll just get this out for you guys.
Have a nice day :)