Trying to Escape from One… and Another One Too!
Dammit! All of this is happening way too fast. One minute I'm the Queen's obsession, the next I'm caught in a love triangle I never asked for. And it all started because of that kiss. That one stupid kiss. If I had never kissed her that day, Shion wouldn't have the guts—no, the balls, to chase me like this.
The air around us whipped by like water streaming past a fast boat. My hair flew loose from its pins, strands slapping against my cheeks as I clung to Ice's back. His movement was silent, predatory, yet smooth, as if the earth itself shifted aside for him. Even invisible, I could feel the power thrumming through him with each stride.
It was surreal—this quiet escape. The two sisters had been locked in their argument, their voices rising and falling like clashing swords. While they were distracted, Ice had crouched low, his massive form cloaked in shimmering invisibility, and I had slipped onto his back like a thief vanishing into smoke. No one even turned their head. It felt like stepping into another world entirely.
"Okay, Ice, you can put me down now," I whispered, casting a quick glance over my shoulder, half expecting Shion's shadow to appear at any second.
We had made it far from the Hoshino house before he slowed. The grass underfoot bent in waves as he came to a stop. He crouched slightly, and I slid off, landing lightly on the cool earth.
Ice's form flickered like a mirage before he shimmered back into view. Even standing still, there was an otherworldly grace about him—he seemed carved from moonlight and winter air.
"Thank you very much, Ice," I said, trying to catch my breath. The adrenaline from our escape was still buzzing in my veins.
He smiled.
I froze.
He… smiled.
Wow. This was the first time I'd ever seen Ice smile. It was small, almost hesitant, but it softened his sharp features and made something flutter in my chest. Even in human form he carried that dragonlike stillness, but now there was warmth flickering behind his eyes like a secret flame.
"Okay, now I have to head to the Clan Lord so I can show him the hon—"
My words caught.
"Oh my goodness." My hands flew to my head. "Akari is with the honeydew!"
Panic surged. The honeydew was crucial. Without it, I couldn't present anything to the Clan Lord. I couldn't return to the Hoshino house either, not with Shion lying in wait.
My mind spun. What do I do now? Empty-handed wasn't an option. Going back was even worse.
I chewed my lip, thinking fast. Well… there's only one thing to do. This is the best option.
I turned back to Ice. His smile had faded, but his steady gaze anchored me.
"Looks like I'll need you to piggyback me again—" my lips curled into a grin too wide for my face, "—and also use your speed, dear Icy."
He tilted his head slightly, but there was no hesitation as he crouched down for me.
…
The world blurred.
Wind roared in my ears as Ice launched forward. The ground beneath us became streaks of green and brown, and the trees on either side flicked past like painted brushstrokes. My heart hammered, my laughter breaking free in small, breathless bursts.
Wow. This is fast. This is fun. It felt like flying without wings, like riding a super-speed mobile. The rush of speed stole my breath and filled my chest with something light and giddy.
I wished it could go on forever.
But soon enough, Ice slowed, his muscles shifting under me like coiled springs easing. The rush faded as we came to a stop in front of a dark, yawning tunnel—the ant cave.
He gently set me down. My boots sank slightly into the earth as I steadied myself, my hair a wild tangle from the wind.
"Honestly," I breathed, looking at the entrance. "This is so much better than going back to the Hoshino house."
"Okay, let's go in," I said, stepping toward the cave mouth.
But Ice didn't move.
I turned to him. His stance was rigid, his eyes narrowing on the shadowy opening.
"Trust me, Ice," I said softly. "The Queen is good now. She won't harm anyone. I promise." I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "And if she does anything, you can freeze them."
He held my gaze for a long moment, silent. Then he exhaled, a faint mist curling from his lips, and followed me inside.
"Hellooo… everyone!" My voice echoed faintly off the stone walls.
The worker ants froze mid-task, their antennae twitching as they turned to stare. For a heartbeat, the cave was filled with nothing but their clicking sounds. Then, just as suddenly, they returned to work.
Beside me, Ice's expression shifted—something between surprise and wariness—as his eyes darted over the carved tunnels and glowing resin lamps.
Gary, one of the worker ants, scuttled forward to meet us. His mandibles clicked in greeting.
"Welcome back, Lady Rin. Did you bring good news?" His eyes flicked between me and Ice.
"I haven't found buyers for the products yet," I admitted, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "I need to get approval before people start buying. But I'm working on it. Even today, I'm meeting with the Clan Lord to get approved."
"That's great progress, isn't it?" Gary said, tilting his head.
"Yes! Yes, it is," I replied with a bright smile. "But I'll need a jar of honeydew for the process…" My voice dropped as I looked around, scanning the tunnels for a flash of gold. But the Queen was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is the Golden Queen?" I blurted out too quickly, my thoughts racing. Could she have disappeared? Run away? Gone to who knows where?
"I am here!" a voice said from behind.
I turned.
There she was—the Golden Ant Queen—looking nothing like the regal figure I'd seen before. She wore hunting clothes, simple but practical, and held a dead animal in each hand. The scent of fresh kill drifted toward me, sharp and metallic.
"Gary, the food is here. Tell the kitchen crew to prepare it," she instructed without missing a beat. Gary and another worker hurried to take the animals from her.
She approached me with her usual confidence, mandibles clicking softly. "What happened, little morsel? Did you see a ghost or something?"
"…No. You're… hunting now," I said quietly, blinking at her. These were the only ants I knew who were carnivores. Seeing her like this, her hunting instead of the workers—was jarring.
"Yes. Today I decided to go find food for my children. Is anything wrong with that?" she asked, her tone calm but firm.
Children? From workers to children? My mind stuttered. "Uh, no, nothing's wrong. It's good for you. You're doing great, haha." I forced a nervous laugh.
Her gaze slid past me to Ice. "Who is that? Did you bring me a worker?"
Ice stared back, unflinching.
"You do look familiar though… like I've seen those eyes of yours somewhere. But where?" she murmured, folding her arms, her antennae tilting forward as she studied him.
"He's my fiancé's dragon. Ice, this is the Golden Queen. Golden Queen, this is Ice," I said quickly, trying to keep my voice even.
"Oh, so this is that immortal's cute pet you were talking about—" she began, moving to sit down.
Pet?
Ice didn't even wait for her to finish.
He moved—faster than I could register. One moment he was beside me, the next he was a blur of motion, a rush of cold wind sweeping past my face.
Frost exploded outward with a sharp crack.
Before the Golden Queen could even blink, Ice dashed to her and froze her instantly.