One Thousand Years Ago
“The dastardly duo returns,” Bianca remarked dryly.
Jack kicked the door shut with his ankle, one arm occupied around Holly’s waist, the other hand still holding a bloody rod of ice. He gave a shudder of pleasure and tossed the rod to his third-in-command. Bianca caught it with a quick expression of revulsion, then went austere again. She could do austere like nobody’s business.
“It was a magnificent fight,” he announced, sinking into one of the chairs in the main foyer of Invierno Palace. Holly sat next to him. “You should fight, Bee. It’s relaxing. I could give you lessons. Nothing like learning from a master.”
Bianca folded her arms, tossing back her pale pink hair. “No, thank you, Your Majesty.”
Holly shot Jack a private grimace, and Jack returned it inwardly. He knew he was in trouble when his left hand called him ‘Your Majesty.’ None of the other sprites called him that except in official business.
“I know I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again.” Bianca tightened her grip around the war rod’s center, and the ice between her fingers melted. The two halves shattered when they hit the floor. “War-mongering is not the way to keep a kingdom steady.”
Jack waved a hand. “The election was just a year ago, Bianca. I’ll finish up this war pretty soon, and then I’ll behave like a good, obedient king. Jack Frost’s honor.”
Bianca snorted. “As if that’s worth anything anymore.”
“Watch your vocal cords, you fire-witch,” Holly snapped, jumping up.
“I’d rather be a fire-witch than a murderer,” the younger pixie retorted. She stepped closer to Holly, hands raised.
“Hey!” Jack darted between the two women. “Relax. Leave each other alone.”
“She’s the reason, isn’t she, Jack?” Bianca waved a finger at Holly. “She’s the reason you’re going off on these senseless crusades. Something about her—“
“You freakish—“ Holly started, eyes blazing.
“Whoa, whoa.” Jack whirled on Bianca, his back to Holly. “I will not tolerate any slandering of my second-in-command, even by my third-in-command. You are not to blame her for anything you think is out of place, for anything you dislike, for anything you simply aren’t fond of.” He paused, keeping his gaze locked on Bianca. “I’m understood?”
Bianca’s lips were pursed bloodless, fists clenched at her waist. “Yes.”
Jack leaned a little closer. “Yes, what?”
“Yes...” Her eyes narrowed. “Your Majesty.”
Jack nodded and pulled back. “Better.” He touched Holly’s arm, feeling the tenseness in her muscles even with the light contact. “Holly, maybe you should go change. You’re still bloody.”
Holly opened her mouth, but Bianca interrupted. “I’ll go with her,” the younger pixie said coolly. “I’d like to apologize for what I said. It wasn’t right, I know.”
Jack glanced at Holly. “Hol?”
Holly raised her chin just a fraction, at once going relaxed and careless. “Whatever the young girl wants,” she trilled, then turned and trotted for the steps upstairs. Bianca went after her.
But Jack heard the poisoned words, even from on the ground floor.
“I know you’re behind it, witch,” Bianca hissed, one fist twisting into a handful of Holly’s berry-red hair. “You’re why Jack’s different, and I’m going to find out what you did.”
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