❅Chapter 16❅

                                    

                                          
You'd think as many times as I'd traveled back and forth from Gheimhridh I'd know the path like the back of my hand. And as always, it was long, painfully boring, and bone numbing cold. Of course, I didn't feel the chill of the wind like I used too, but I could still tell when something was cold. 
                          
To keep myself distracted from what I'd just done and the heartbreak that would no doubt follow, I took pleasure in pestering my mother and her goons that still had me by the arms. 
                          
"Who wears a dress out in these condition? It looks like something my grandmother would be buried in." I shot towards Mab, who did her best to ignore me. But I had a good view of the profile of her face, and I saw her grimace. So I picked at her black gloves, her ebony boots, and even her choice of makeup for the day. By the end I had her biting on her lip to keep from ripping my head off. 
                          
"Will it really matter when you're dead and I'm inhabiting your body? Soon I'll be wearing your tight little jumpsuit and that pretty necklace." She shot back, shutting me up. But then I heard her whisper, "Maybe."
                          
I could've sworn I heard the Rakshasas snicker in some sick, sinister way. 
                          
I ground my teeth as their claws sank further into my skin. I had no doubt they were drawing blood, but I kept my face an unreadable mask. 
                          
We walked all through the night. Mab was determined to get back to the castle to start the ceremony that would bring the end to my life. I had no doubt she would slaughter me before the sun crested the sky. It was hard to imagine that I wouldn't be there for the next sunrise. 
                          
I watched her amulet swing back and forth as she walked, trying to comprehend how my soul, my very being, would be trapped within those tiny glass walls for the rest of eternity. 
                          
Maybe I can get to know my other siblings...
                          
She caught me staring. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
                          
There was no point in fighting it, so I shrugged in the Rakshasas grasp. "Yes."
                          
"General Quinn's father made it for me, many, many years ago," she said, running a finger over its smooth surface. She cradled it in her hand, staring at it longingly. 
                          
"I know," I said. "When you were inhabiting your original body."
                          
She gave me a sideways glance, her grey eyes narrowing. "You are right." She let the amulet drop back between her breasts. "And it won't be long until you see the original wrath of Queen Mab." She walked ahead of me before I could say anything
                          
Original wrath?
                          
I wasn't sure what she meant by that, and considering she turned around and was blatantly ignoring me again, I assumed I wasn't going to figure out anytime soon. 
                          
We walked for hours, through four foot snow drifts, frozen streams, and icy forests. My feet were killing me by the time we came to the foot of the Mountain. 
                          
There was a single set of stairs that went all up the side of the alp, twisting and twing around large boulders and cliffs until we were at the entrance of Gheimhridh. 
                          
The snow palace hadn't changed. It still loomed above us, the weight of the enormous building seeming to push down on my chest. I knew what was in store for me - I knew what was waiting just behind those icy walls. I could already hear my screams, and just the thought of what would happen sent a shiver racing down my spine. 
                          
Mab turned to look at me over her shoulder, her eyes glinting. "Home sweet home, isn't it?"
                          
I bared my fangs at her, and she laughed. 
                          
The Rakshasas were not gentle as they hauled me up yet another flight of icy stairs, pushing me down and striking me with the hilts of their swords if I slowed. My skull throbbed and pulsed when we finally hit the main floor of the castle.