Which one should I be surprised at first? Ice actually understanding the ant's words or the fact that the golden queen's invulnerability had somehow grown stronger since the last time? My brain couldn't even decide. My mouth was already hanging open, and my eyes refused to blink as the scene unfolded like some wild play in front of me.
"Wow… the immortal's pet really, really has some anger issues," the golden ant queen teased, her voice ringing through the massive underground chamber like a bell. Her words slithered across the air, mocking and deliberate, and I swore I saw a faint shimmer of amusement in her multi-faceted golden eyes.
Ice didn't even blink. His jaw was tight, his breath coming out like mist. Cold energy swirled around his hands, and in the next instant he hurled another volley of sharp, glittering ice spheres at her. They hissed through the air like frozen comets, each one a perfect strike aimed at her chest.
But the queen didn't so much as flinch. With effortless grace she darted aside, her body moving faster than my eyes could follow. She seemed almost untouchable, each ice ball shattering harmlessly against the floor or bursting into frosty mist before reaching her. She laughed, a sound like chimes clinking in a storm, and her antennae flicked in amusement.
Then, without so much as lifting a finger, she simply… moved him. One second Ice was on his feet, the next he was weightless, a streak of pale light in the air before she slammed him down hard into the crystalline floor. The impact cracked through the chamber like thunder. Dust rose. The workers stopped to watch.
I couldn't believe it. My eyes darted between the two of them, my heart hammering. Ice was already getting up, frost crackling under his palms as if the ground itself was freezing in response to his fury.
"Your mama couldn't defeat me," the queen said coolly, her grin stretching just enough to show her sharp mandibles. "What makes you think you can, mummy's little pet?" Her voice dripped with venom, but there was a glint of provocation in it too—like she was doing it on purpose just to see how far she could push him.
Ice's eyes narrowed. For a heartbeat, the air itself felt heavier, colder, like the start of a blizzard. I could feel his rage pulsing off him, sharp and dangerous.
"Please—will you two stop!" I finally shouted, my voice cracking like a whip in the echoing chamber. "You're both making a mess here!"
They didn't even look at me. The golden queen flicked her antennae in disdain, her wings shimmering faintly. "This is my kingdom," she said with a sneer. "I will rebuild it even if it's falling apart." Her voice had a queen's pride, ancient and immovable.
Ice said nothing. He just shifted his stance, frost still curling at his feet. The way they stared at each other—it was like watching two old rivals sizing each other up, both too stubborn to step down.
I raised my hands, trying again. "Stop!" I yelled once more, louder this time. But something strange happened—the sound of my voice seemed to echo, not just bounce off the place but roll like a ripple through the entire chamber. Even I felt it vibrate in my chest.
And they both actually froze. The queen's wings stilled mid-beat. Ice stopped his slow step forward. Their eyes flicked to me in unison, like I'd done something impossible.
Heart still pounding, I stepped right between them, palms out. "I thought you said you changed," I said to the queen, my voice shaking as I tried to sound braver than I felt. "But here you are, busy smashing people again."
"He attacked me first," the golden queen said, her tone sharper now but still laced with mockery.
My jaw dropped. "What? No, he attacked because you called him—" I stopped myself, gesturing wildly at Ice. "Stop calling him a pet! It makes him mad. Seriously, this is the first time I've ever seen him like this. He's even worse than Selene when she's mad."
Ice's glare didn't move from the queen, but his hand shot out and yanked mine. His grip was tight, almost urgent, and I realized he wanted to leave. The cold of his fingers seeped into my wrist, a silent plea saying Let's go, now.
"Hey—wait," I said quickly, pulling back. "I have something to do before we leave."
I turned to the Golden Queen, who was still watching me with that unreadable expression, like a cat staring at a mouse that had suddenly grown wings. Her many-faceted eyes glimmered faintly in the broken light of the chamber, and for a heartbeat I felt very small under that gaze. Taking a breath, I bowed slightly—well, more like a clumsy half-bow because my heart was still racing from the fight.
"Please," I said carefully, trying to keep my tone even, "can I get a jar of honeydew?"
The queen tilted her head. Her antennae twitched once, then twice, and her mandibles clicked softly. "Why?" she asked at last. "Did you get your first order?" The way she asked it was almost playful, like she already knew the answer but wanted to see me squirm.
"No," I said quickly, forcing my voice not to shake. "I need it to show the clan lord for approval before I can distribute." I peeked at her from the corner of my eye, hoping—praying—she wouldn't ask about what happened to the first jar. "Can I take it and leave now?" I added, pitching my voice a little softer, almost like a plea.
It was the kind of tone that might earn a tiny bit of pity. My fingers tightened on the strap of my bag as I waited for her answer.
The queen's mandibles twitched again in what almost looked like amusement. "Gary!" she called out suddenly, her voice ringing across the hall. "Bring the little morsel a jar of honeydew."
A worker ant scuttled from behind one of the cracked pillars. It moved quickly but neatly, its legs clicking on the stone floor as it approached the stacked pyramid of jars at the far end of the chamber. The glass gleamed like golden marbles in the dim light. Gary picked one up with surprising delicacy and brought it over to me.
"Here," he chittered, placing it in my hands.
Relief loosened my shoulders. "Thank you very much," I said, clutching the jar like it was some rare jewel. "I promise to return with good news."
I turned, ready to leave, Ice already moving to stand behind me like my shadow. We were just about to step out when the queen's voice sliced through the air again.
"Leave him here."
I froze mid-step. "Wha… who…" I stammered, spinning back to face her.
"The dragon," she said, her tone cool and final. "He's staying to fix this place up. You can come and pick him up later."
My mouth opened, then closed again. For a moment I had no words to object. My eyes flicked to the wreckage around us — scorched walls, cracked. Well, I thought grimly, they really did trash this place up.
I turned to Ice. He stood just behind me, shoulders squared but eyes narrowed. His wings shifted slightly, the tips dragging against the ground. He didn't say a word, but his look said everything like he was wishing, hoping, begging me not to leave him here.
"Ice…" I said slowly, studying his face. His expression had softened into something that almost broke my heart — like a puppy giving me big, watery eyes. "I know you don't like her, but you have to fix here. Can you stay till I return? I promise I won't be long."
For a moment he didn't move. Then he exhaled through his nose, low and reluctant, and finally nodded once.
"Thank you very much, Ice," I said softly, trying to give him a reassuring smile. "I will be back, okay? Ice, please be a good boy and don't react to whatever she says. Okay? Bye."
And before either of them could change their minds, I turned and walked out quickly, clutching the jar to my chest, hoping — really hoping — I wouldn't regret my return.