The Ice Princess

By Michelle Mueller

The kingdom of Shalimar has lived in peace for many years. All that changes when King Lazar and his daughter, Princess Katrina, suddenly find themselves in the midst of a bizarre series of events. When a plot is uncovered that threatens to destroy their kingdom and the neighboring kingdom of Zantar, they must fight to protect both kingdoms.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524599980

Book preview

PROLOGUE

I N THE MOMENT a small cry heralded the birth of her daughter, Kaylein felt her life slowly ebbing away like the tide on the shores of the Falcon Sea. Katrina, she murmured. Out of the corner of her right eye, she saw a brilliant white light appear within her bed chamber and turned her head slightly toward it. Tiny sparkles of light crystallized before her, taking the form of a being. Looking up, Kaylein smiled weakly into the loving face of the angel standing beside her.

Trekon looked down upon her, tenderly. His white sleeve shimmered as he stretched forth his hand toward her. It is time, he said, softly.

Kaylein smiled and took his hand. Immediately, she felt her spirit rising. Looking down, she saw her lifeless body on the bed. Lady Jordanna held her limp hand, weeping, as the midwife wrapped the infant in clean linen.

Kaylein looked at Trekon. What of my child and husband? she asked.

They are in God’s hands, he said, reassuring her.

She nodded, feeling peace. An ancient winding stairway made of pearl stood before them, reaching into the heavens. Angels dressed in white robes stood on either side of the steps, bowing in honor of her as they ascended.

CHAPTER 1

N IGHT FELL PEACEFULLY over the kingdom of Shalimar, clothing her in a black, velvet sky with stars that shone like diamonds. The fragrance of lavender blossoms hung in the air as livestock bedded down in their stalls for the night. The occasional barking of a dog and the hoot of an owl could be heard among a symphony of crickets. A soft glow from candles emanated from village homes and fireplaces were lit to prepare the evening meal and offer warmth.

Inside the great hall of the castle, King Lazar and Princess Katrina were enjoying a meal of roasted pheasant with the lords and ladies. Afterward, Katrina nestled in her father’s lap as dancers performed and musicians played. She soon grew drowsy and fought to keep her eyes open.

Looking down, Lazar smiled. Time for bed, he said softly to her.

Lazar carried his sleepy seven year old daughter up the long, winding steps leading to her chamber. Shannon and Shai, Katrina’s two Irish Wolfhounds, followed. Opening the large wooden door, Lazar gently layed the child in her bed while the dogs lay on the floor beside her. They were a gift to Katrina from Lord Trevonis on her third birthday. He had surprised her with them when he returned home from a voyage to Ireland. Puppies then, they had grown up with Katrina and were fiercely loyal to her. Shannon was a male with thick, shaggy, grey and white fur and stood thirty-six inches at the shoulder. Slightly smaller, his mate, Shai, had soft, cream colored fur. Both dogs had warm brown eyes and black muzzles.

A fire burned brightly in the fireplace, casting a warm glow on the tapestries hanging on the stone walls. Katrina murmured softly as her father covered her with soft, woven blankets. Sitting on the edge of her bed, he smoothed the child’s long blonde hair from her eyes. Good night, my love, he said, kissing her on her forehead.

Good night, Da, she murmured, drifting off to sleep.

King Lazar prayed over her, asking God to protect her. Two invisible, fierce looking warrior angels appeared, with large silver shields and gleaming swords. Shannon and Shai looked up, curiously. The angels put their fingers to their lips, and the dogs layed back down, peacefully. After praying, Lazar got up and shut the door quietly behind him. He rejoined the others for a little longer before retiring.

Late at night, Katrina stirred in her sleep. Opening her eyes, she looked up and saw an ancient door standing open above her. A brilliant light shone from it.

Come with me, Katrina, said the Lord, stretching his hand out to her.

Katrina took the Lord’s hand and immediately felt her spirit rising upward. Much to her delight, she found herself in the garden once more with Jesus. Laughing, she hugged him tightly. Chuckling, Jesus picked her up and twirled her about. He carried her, laughing, to a small white bench and placed her on his lap. Katrina snuggled close to him, listening to his heart beating.

Looking up into his face, she whispered, I love you.

The Lord looked down at her, smiling tenderly. I love you, too.

Did Ayden come? she asked.

Here I am! called Ayden, peeking out from behind a pear tree. Laughing, he ran over to them and climbed up on the Lord’s lap with Katrina.

I love you, Jesus, said Ayden, hugging him.

I love you, too, said Jesus, smiling.

What will we do today? asked Katrina.

They loved spending time with him. He was fun to be with. Each visit to Heaven was an adventure and they never knew what to expect. On their last visit, Jesus showed them how to roll thunder up into balls. Katrina and Ayden took turns rolling the balls of thunder across the sky. As the balls bumped into clouds, the thunder echoed in the heavens. The Lord also taught them how to shoot lightning bolts from little gold bows as he sprinkled drops of rain on the earth below.

Today, I’m going to read to you, he said, smiling.

I love stories! said Katrina, clapping her hands.

Me, too, said Ayden, excitedly.

Laughing, Jesus took a big, gold book from the angel standing behind them. The children cuddled next to him as he read from the Holy Bible. Looking down, their eyes fell on a picture of a garden. The picture was alive! Suddenly, they were inside the picture with Jesus, standing next to him in the garden of Eden. The garden was very beautiful…unlike anything they had ever seen before. There were butterflies of all sorts, colors and sizes and many different kinds of flowers. They smelled wonderful. The animals in the garden came up to them. They were friendly and let the children pet them. They played in the garden with the lions and all the other animals. They even rode elephants and camels! Katrina and Ayden were surprised the animals talked! Then Jesus introduced them to Adam and Eve, the very first man and woman God created.

It is time for us to go, now said Jesus.

Holding his hand, they found themselves back in Heaven’s garden sitting with him on the bench. Katrina and Ayden listened solemnly as Jesus told them about Adam and Eve’s sin and Satan.

Adam and Eve sinned against God when they disobeyed Him. The punishment for sin is death, said Jesus. The children looked frightened and Jesus put his arms around them, comforting them as he continued. My Father loves all people and wants them to be with him forever. He sent me to earth a long time ago to take the punishment for every one’s sin, once for all time.

Turning quickly to the book of John, he read verse 3:16 out loud to them. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Katrina and Ayden watched in amazement as the gold words floated off the pages of the Bible. Swirling above their heads, the words turned into fine gold arrows, penetrating their hearts. They felt the words go deep within them. In that moment, Katrina and Ayden saw from a distance a figure on a cross and knew it was Jesus. They then understood he had died for their sins and they cried. They were very sorry for their sins.

Jesus looked at them with great love and compassion. "Shall we pray and ask God to forgive you? He asked gently.

Yes, Lord, they said together.

Together they bowed their heads as Jesus prayed with them. The children admitted to God they had sinned against Him and asked Him to forgive them. Then they told Him they believed Jesus is His only begotten son and that he died on the cross for their sins and rose from the dead on the third day. They asked Jesus to help them be like Him, living inside them. When they were through praying, Katrina and Ayden felt clean and fresh inside. They looked up at Jesus, smiling. From that moment on, they knew they would be with him forever.

Thank you, Father, said Jesus, hugging them, overwhelmed with joy. The angels in Heaven rejoiced and God smiled. There is something I must teach you, he said. Katrina and Ayden looked up at him, expectantly. Today, I will teach you how to pray, said Jesus.

Jesus folded their small hands together and then His own. When the Lord bowed his head, all the angels in heaven bowed low before him in reverence. Bowing their heads and closing their eyes, Katrina and Ayden listened attentively to their shepherd’s voice, repeating after him, Our Father, who art in heaven…

CHAPTER 2

T HE FOLLOWING DAY, Arakis appeared suddenly in the Winwood Forest, near Zantar. It was an ancient forest, existing long before men came. Thick and dense, it extended over a hundred miles in either direction. To the west of the forest lay the Falcon Sea. The kingdom of Zantar layed to its north and the kingdom of Shalimar lay to its south. A long time ago, the kingdoms of Zantar and Shalimar had built their castles upon the towering cliffs that ran along the coast of the Falcon Sea. Their villages were nestled in the Elkrin Valley. The valley was surrounded by the Toradi Mountains on the east, north and south. Beyond the mountains, lay other kingdoms and villages.

Dressed as a peasant, Arakis was powerfully built and stood over ten feet tall. His dark hair was hidden beneath the hood of a brown cloak. His light blue eyes quickly took in his surroundings. The kingdoms of Shalimar and Zantar were not at war and there had been peace here for many years. Both kingdoms pledged allegiance to God and to the Cross. Looking up into the sky through the tree branches, he saw the sky grow black as the ominous presence of evil approached. The prayer coverage is weak, he thought, grimly. Placing his hand on the handle of his sword, he moved swiftly and stealthily to the edge of the forest. Hidden behind a large tree, he could see the towering stone walls surrounding the Kingdom of Zantar. He waited there, keeping watch.

Croloch stood at the mouth of a cave perched high on the cliffs facing the Falcon Sea. For a moment he studied the waves of the sea as they crashed upon the giant rocks many feet below him. By human reckoning, he was old but had the appearance of a young man with long, wavy brown hair and dark eyes. Tall and slight of build, his features were sharp and chiseled. He lived alone in the cave, and had for many years. His whereabouts had remained hidden from other men by the powers of darkness he served.

Come, Croloch said in his mind, summoning a falcon from her nest nearby. Extending his left arm, the bird flew to him, and perched on it, obediently. Croloch withdrew a blood red medallion on a silver chain from the folds of his garment. It was identical to the one he wore around his neck. Take this and wait for me at Zantar, he instructed the bird telepathically, putting the necklace in her beak. Immediately, the falcon spread her wings and took flight, banking left over the cliffs to her destination.

Satisfied, Croloch closed his eyes as his long, tapered fingers clutched the medallion around his neck. He had waited many long years for this moment and his patience had been rewarded. He recited an ancient, unholy prayer, invoking the powers of darkness. Black, rolling clouds gathered above him. With them came a strong, powerful wind. There was a deafening clap of thunder and a bolt of lightning cracked the sky above him. A reddish, sulfurous mist snaked around him from the top of his head to the soles of his bare feet. In the blink of an eye, Croloch was transformed into a doe within the walls of Zantar. He lifted his head and sniffed the air. Smelling the boy, he followed his scent.

Seven year old Prince Terric ran blindly through the royal garden of Zantar into the hedge maze, out of earshot and away from watchful eyes. Tears streamed down his face. Although the official time of mourning had passed, his heart told him otherwise. He could not bear to hear the whispers behind his back or see the pitiful looks the servants gave him any longer. He turned this way and that way, until he came to the innermost part of the maze. Within the heart of the maze was a beautiful garden of flowers surrounding a small wooden bench. His mother had planted the garden herself, many years ago, before he was born.

The maze had been Queen Ryah’s favorite place. Terric’s father, King Nicolin, had it planted the hedges especially for her before they were married. It had been his wedding gift to his bride. Over the years the hedges had grown quite dense and tall, standing nearly six feet high. When their only child was born, Ryah often brought Terric to her little garden and sang lullabies to him while she gardened. Later, when he grew older, they spent many happy hours together laughing and playing games in the maze.

Terric’s mother had died in a tragic accident the year before. One day, while returning by carriage from a nearby village, a falcon had flown in front of the horses, startling them. Queen Ryah hit her head when the carriage overturned and died instantly. She had been loved greatly by her family and her people. The entire kingdom still mourned her death. Since her untimely death, King Nicolin was consumed in grief and had abandoned the maze. What once had been a place of love for them was now only a painful reminder of what he had lost. Only Terric came here now.

The calves of Terric’s legs ached when he reached the center of the maze. He hurled himself onto the bench, drawing his knees up to his chest and wrapped his small arms around them. Burying his face, he sobbed in anguish. How he missed his mother! She had been his whole world. The thought of never seeing her again or hearing her voice was more pain than he could bear. He didn’t understand why she had been taken from him. Terric had never felt so alone and so afraid. Every day and every night, over the past year, he prayed and asked God to bring her back to him but it was not to be. He grew angry with God for not answering his prayers and vowed never to pray to Him again.

Why did you leave me? Terric cried out loud.

The sky above Arakis darkened. Looking up, he saw a large black shape fly over him toward the maze. Drawing his sword, Arakis was immediately transformed. Glorified, he was no longer dressed as a peasant, but dressed in heavenly clothing. The plain metal handle of his sword was now a dazzling gold with heavenly jewels and the dull blade of his sword turned brilliant silver. The sword gleamed in his hand. With a burst of light, he ascended straight into the sky like a luminous arrow. Extending his powerful, iridescent wings, he flew swiftly toward Zantar, undetected by the enemies of darkness. Invisible to the mortal defenders standing guard on the curtain walls of the castle, he flew over them and descended to earth in a fiery spiral. The shimmering light gradually faded from his body, clothes and sword the moment his feet touched ground. Quickly, he hid within the hedge of the maze, on the other side of Ryah’s garden. Arakis sheathed his sword. Though the hedges were dense, obstructing man’s vision, Arakis saw Prince Terric supernaturally. He could smell his enemy above him and watched as it circled the sky.

Arakis knew the spirit was no match for him. He had fought many in days gone by, far greater than this one. How he longed to draw his sword and hurl this enemy of the Cross into outer darkness. Without sufficient prayer coverage, Arakis knew it would be foolish. Ryah’s death had affected everyone in Zantar. Mourning their loss, the people neglected to pray, leaving their kingdom defenseless against demonic attacks. The one time Ryah neglected to pray, it had cost her life, he thought, sadly.