❄❄❄
I returned to the dormitory after seeing Lilia off to our family’s town house. Felzen was already there, lazing around in loungewear.
“Aren’t you going to hang with one of your lady friends?” I asked.
“I get tired too sometimes.”
“Fair enough.”
I was beat too. I untied my hair, tossed off my jacket, and threw myself onto the sofa.
Felzen and I had been roommates since military prep school. I could reside in the dorms free of worry because I knew he always had my back. It was only in his presence that I could truly be myself.
“Whew, am I beat,” I remarked.
Felzen laughed. “All that standing around must have really done you in, Miss Wallflower.”
“Joke all you want. Doesn’t change the fact that I don’t like being asked to dance, nor would it do anyone any good to get too close. Blending in isn’t as easy as you think it is.” Attempting to become one with the wall while some of the biggest names in the kingdom approached back-to-back was anything but easy.
“Uh-huh. Did anyone happen to catch your eye?”
“No, thankfully. Not like I could go out with her even if I wanted. Or take responsibility for any weird rumors that might or might not surface.”
“‘Her,’ huh.”
“Yes? Why would I ever hit on men in a tailcoat?” I laughed, removing my tie and undoing a couple of my shirt buttons. Felzen handed me a cup of warm milk, which he’d likely heated with his magic. “Thanks.”
“Mm-hmm.”
I took a sip, the not-too-overpowering sweetness of honey spreading through my mouth. You playboys are something else. “It’s delicious.”
“Glad to hear it,” said Felzen, sitting on the back of the sofa. “So, uhh, yeah. If you’re ever in need of advice, you can always just ask me.”
“Advice?”
“Like what to do if some lady asks you out or if you develop feelings for some dude.”
I snorted. “As if.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. You’re at that kind of age.”
“Maybe, it’s just that I’m a little indifferent when it comes to that sort of thing.”
“That sort of thing?”
“I’m not interested in screwing another woman,” I said flatly.
“L-Language!” he squawked.
“Nor do I feel like screwing a man—”
“What did I just say?!”
“—and I don’t get why other women go crazy over you or Stern either.”
Felzen made an odd face. “Stern’s hot, what do you mean?”
“So are you,” I pointed out. As if you needed me to tell you that.
Felzen fell silent, his cheeks reddening.
I eyed him. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I’m going to bed,” he announced.
“Nighty-night then.”
Felzen slunk over to our bunk bed. He slid into the bottom bunk and pulled the curtain shut behind him.
✦ ✦ ✦
❄❄❄
FELZEN and I met when we were five.
I was, of course, horseback riding that day. I could see more of the world while mounted, and its vastness never failed to excite me. Eisberk horses ran as fast as the wind; I could go anywhere I liked, even if it was a ways off.
The noisy rattling of a coach resounded from the forest road to the south. A brougham was making its way along the track from the direction of the royal capital. Visitors, I thought.
I rode up beside the carriage, a familiar family crest catching my eye. I saw someone waving from behind the curtains. I waved back, then immediately rushed home.
I needed to inform Father.
I quickly returned the horse to the stables before charging into the house. “Father! Uncle Vulkan’s coach is here!”
“They’re here already?”
“They’ve just made it through the forest.”
“So we still have some time. Go get dressed,” he said softly.
I nodded and barreled back to my room, prompting the old housekeeper t0 knit her brow at my unladylike conduct, an all-too-frequent occurrence.
“Is my favorite dress ready, Gran-Gran?”
“The light green one, yes? I’ll have it ready at once.” She smiled warmly. “A lacy bow to go with it, perhaps?”
“Yes, please! Tie it extra cute!”
I shrugged off my riding breeches and boots and tugged on my favorite frock. Gran-Gran untangled my hair, combing it gently. She braided the sides into a half updo, tying a light green bow above one of the decorative knots. I spun in front of the mirror to admire myself. Looks good!
I hurried to my brother’s room, rapped on the door, and quickly zoomed away again before he could open it. That was all the warning he needed.
I knocked on my sister’s door, letting myself inside. “Vulkan will be arriving soon, Lilia.”
“It’s about to get lively, I can feel it.” Her smile was like a flower in full bloom.
I pulled two chairs over to the window so Lilia, who was somewhat frail, could watch from inside. The extra was for Mother, who I knew would be coming to Lilia’s room shortly. “Talk to you later!”
Unable to contain my excitement, I dashed out into the garden. Obli, the sheepdog, ran up beside me. I couldn’t help but laugh at the noble little escort.
Two shadows fell over me as I was stroking his bushy, light brown fur. Father and Brother had appeared.
“Who’s this pretty lady?” teased Elfenbein, chuckling.
A military prep student, he spent most of his days in the royal capital, staying at our family’s town house. He had returned to Eisberk just the day before on autumn break.
“I liked your previous attire too,” Father said, chuckling much the same.
“I like both!” I liked dressing adorably and running around in breathable clothing.
“You look good in both.” Father grinned, placing a hand on my head. “Look who it is.”
The brougham pulled up right next to us. The coachman opened the door and Marquess Vulkan emerged from within. Tanned skin, burly chest, a faint scar from a sword cut on his left jaw—he was a field marshal who very much looked the part. A few stray grays peppered his red hair.
“Uncle Vulkan!”
“Bern, long time no see. Elfen, though, I remember seeing you in the capital.” He shifted his gaze to Lilia’s window. “She grows more beautiful every time I see her,” he added, waving.
Vulkan was an old friend of Father’s. It was an annual tradition of his to journey to Eisberk each autumn following the close of the social season. He’d stay till winter, hunting with my father and inspecting the Vulkan enclave. We didn’t get too many visitors from the royal capital, and I always looked forward to his kooky stories.
“Look who I brought,” he said as a seemingly younger bronze-skinned, fiery red-haired version of himself materialized from behind him.
“Wow, lucky! You’re going to get pretty pink hair too when you grow up!” I realized, delighted.
Everyone fell silent.
I looked around, unsure if I had said something I shouldn’t have. Vulkan was frozen in place, his face turning red. Father looked away, his shoulders shaking. Brother stared at me in awe.
Yes, yes you did!
The boy ducked his head, and his shoulders started to tremble. Did I make him mad?
I scrambled to explain myself: “I didn’t mean it like that! Just, Uncle Vulkan’s hair looks pink and so cute with all those gray hairs mixed in. I want pink hair too, but I know I’ll never have it…” I didn’t dislike blue hair, but pink hair was so pretty that I wouldn’t even have minded becoming an old lady to get it.
The boy burst out laughing. “I’ve never heard anyone use the word ‘cute’ when describing Father before!”
The rest of the assembly followed suit, guffawing heartily.
Was it really that funny?
“All right, you two,” Uncle Vulkan said, “go ahead, introduce yourselves.”
The boy performed a gentleman’s bow. “I’m Felzen von Vulkan. Five years of age,” he said formally.
“I’m Bernstein von Eisberk, same age as you.” I pinched the sides of my dress, curtsying.
“Bernstein?” Felzen’s large eyes grew yet larger. “You’re Bernstein?”
“Yes.”
“The one from earlier?”
“The one you saw outside your coach? Yes.”
“You’re not…a boy?”
I giggled. “You wouldn’t be the first to confuse me for one.”
Felzen blinked repeatedly. He bit his lip, dropping his gaze, his fists clenched tight.
I worried that I might’ve angered him.
“Could one…learn how to ride a horse, instantly?”
“You never know till you try.”
“And try I will!” he exclaimed. “Father, my mind is set!”
A satisfied smile appeared on Uncle Vulkan’s face. “Teach the boy, would you, Bern?”
I nodded vigorously.
✦ ✦ ✦
❄❄❄
BEING the same age, we became fast playmates.
I taught the city boy the joys of the outdoors, and he, in turn, schooled me in boardgames and the sword. I adopted Felzen’s casual manner of speech, and at some point he began calling me Bern.
By the time he was to return to the royal capital, Felzen could already go on long rides all by himself.
“When will you come visit?” he asked on the day of his departure.
“Hard to say, Father rarely ever travels outside of Eisberk.”
“Guess I’ll have to come to you then.”
“Guess so. I’ll be sure to stop by your place if I’m ever in the royal capital, though.”
“Promise?”
“Promise!”
And so we parted ways.
That was how I met and became friends with Felzen.