The wind moved through Maria's white hair like a lover's gentle touch. She stood on the highest balcony of the White Castle, looking out over a kingdom that stretched as far as her ice-blue eyes could see. Snow-covered peaks. Frozen lakes. Forests of pine weighed down by winter's heavy hand.
It was beautiful. Cold. Silent.
Just like her.
Months had passed since she woke in this place. Months since the world door had torn her from everything she knew and threw her into this frozen realm. She remembered waking in this very castle, confused and weak, her body broken from the journey. The Ice Empress (ruler of this realm) herself had found her, drawn by the impossible cold that radiated from Maria's unconscious form.
Perfect affinity with ice. The Empress had called it a gift from the gods. A blessing.
Maria called it a cage.
She had been adopted into the royal family. Given a title. Given power. Given everything except the one thing she wanted.
Freedom to find him.
