*Winter's Keep*
"Open the gates!"
"They approach!"
The loud horns made Blue flinch. From her cage, she watched as the great gates groaned open, blanketed in thick snow and ice.
The entire city looked carved from the Frost Heart itself, cold, colorless, and dead. Just like Albenia had become.
This was Winter's Keep. And now, it was her prison.
Her limbs ached with every breath. Fever raged in her body, maybe because of the swollen ankle that had gotten worse. She trembled, barely holding onto consciousness.
When the horse-drawn cage rolled through the gates, Dasia was the first to meet her.
"Your Grace... how are you feeling?"
Blue gave a weak, bitter smile. "I think I already lost that title."
Pain stabbed through her body as she tried to sit up. The only warmth she felt came from the small creature tucked inside her dress.
Her clothes were no match for the biting cold. She was freezing, yet her skin burned. She might die here, but death would only bring the triplets joy.
Lucia's smug smile haunted her. The woman had the nerve to strut up to Blue's cage with their scent still clinging to her skin, like a trophy. Blue's wolf whimpered. She could still feel it, how the triplets had used her, then walked past without a single glance. Like she meant nothing.
And now she was here. At Winter's Keep. Where her torment would only grow.
"Blue, you don't look well," Dasia said quietly.
"Then I hope it gets worse, and I die," Blue whispered. "Everyone would be so happy."
Dasia's eyes filled with pity. Blue barely looked human anymore. Her once-soft blonde hair was dirty and tangled. Her pale skin was streaked with mud. Her bright blue eyes were dull, almost lifeless. Nothing like the girl Dasia had helped out of a carriage just days ago.
"Hush now," Dasia said gently. "No one is dying."
Their arrival was announced by the heavy presence that always came before them.
"My Lords," Dasia bowed as the triplets stepped into view. They ignored her. Their eyes were fixed on Blue.
For a moment, something flickered in Draven's gaze. But it vanished just as fast. His voice was sharp and cold as he ordered her taken to her quarters.
What else had she expected?
"I already sent word for your bath," Dasia told her. "There's food and medicine waiting. You'll feel better after some rest."
Blue gave a small nod as they made their way through the icy city. Servants stared as they passed, but at least a blanket covered her torn dress. It couldn't hide the bruises on her face, though, those had darkened over the hours.
She had left Albenia a princess and arrived here a slave.
Dasia showed her the room quietly. It wasn't a Queen's chamber, but it was something. Blue didn't expect better.
"The Lords' quarters are far from yours," Dasia added. "So... hopefully you won't see them much."
Blue said nothing. Just looked away, ashamed.
Her bath was drawn by a young girl who introduced herself softly. "Shelby. I'll be your maid."
Blue still didn't speak. Just let her work. The bath was the first real warmth she'd felt in days. Her sore, bruised body eased just a little. At least she wasn't chained in a dungeon.
But then the door burst open. A woman's voice filled the room as she walked straight in.
"There you are."
Blue blinked at the striking figure in front of her. Raven-black hair spilled down her back, her gown clung to her figure, and her face, flawless, youthful, untouched by time. She looked younger than Blue somehow, despite clearly being older.
"Your Grace," Shelby bowed.
The woman didn't look at her. Her sharp gaze stayed on Blue, who sat half-submerged in the bubbling water.
"Come down when you're done. Breakfast is ready. We have much to talk about."
She left without waiting for a reply.
"Her Grace, Tia Gladstone," Shelby explained as she washed Blue's hair. "The late Queen's half-sister. She moved here a few years after the King and Queen died."
"She's beautiful," Blue whispered.
"Her Grace has always looked that way," Shelby replied. "It's like she ages backward."
Blue gave a small sigh. "I just hope she's kinder than the triplets."
Shelby hesitated, then continued working without a word.
When the bath was over, Blue was dressed in a gown too large for her frame. Everything she owned had been left behind, left in the clearing, where the triplets abandoned her.
"This one fits best," Shelby said gently.
"Thank you."
Blue caught her reflection in the mirror. She looked like someone else entirely. Papa would've been shocked by her new face, tired, but oddly striking.
Shelby helped her through the halls. Blue limped slowly behind her, taking in the dark stone walls and chilling air. Winter's Keep was nothing like Albenia.
There was no warmth here. No light. Statues of Lycans loomed at every turn, and shadows clung to every corner.
"This is it," Shelby said, stopping before a large wooden gate. "I'll wait in the quarters till you return, my lady."
The doors opened before Blue could even knock.
The dining chamber was grand, filled with the scent of roasted meats and spiced wine. Laughter echoed—until she stepped in.
Silence fell.
Every eye turned to her, and she froze like stone, heart pounding in her ears.
"Well, don't just stand there," Tia said smoothly. "Come. Dinner is served."
Blue didn't move at first. But then she felt it, the heat of three stares burning into her skin. The triplets were there too, seated and relaxed just moments ago. Now they were tense, jaws clenched, eyes locked on her.
"You invited her?" she heard Draven hiss toward Tia.
Blue limped toward the table. Their gazes followed her every step.
"You look like shit," Laziel muttered lazily.
"No, she doesn't," Tia said, patting the seat beside her. "Come here, Blue Sara. Sit."
Blue sat with her head low, fear making her chest tight. Their scent pressed against her, heavy and sharp. Her wolf whimpered again.
"Stop glaring and eat," Tia said softly, looking from the triplets to their terrified bride. "You're scaring her."
"She should be scared," Draven growled. But his gaze dropped to her chest.
"Women like her only pretend. They cause trouble," Laziel added.
"She should be grateful for the warm welcome," Kael finished, his eyes never leaving her.
"And yet you still married her," Tia said with a dry laugh, sipping her wine.
"You know why we had to," Draven snapped, then stood abruptly. "Thanks to you, Aunt, I've lost my appetite."
The other two stood as well. One last glance, low and lingering, and they left the room.
Tia raised her cup.
"Welcome to Winter's Keep," she said, draining her wine. "More."
Blue sat in silence, numb. She realized, again, that this was no fairytale.
This was her new reality.
And that night, when she crawled into the cold bed in her quarters, she cried again.
Cursed Kraven again.
And wondered if she would ever be free.