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"Well, if you'll excuse me," Regan said, slightly getting up. The queen seemed surprised, "I think I need some fresh air." She glanced at the window, wishing she could just leave and run away from all of this."Of course, dear," Queen Frida said, looking at Regan with a mixture of curiosity and concern, "Perhaps you could show her the garden, Artemis?"Artemis nodded and got up, taking Regan's hand. Before going outside, she led her in her room and told her to wear something thick and warm. Regan checked through the wardrobe and found a pair of gloves, a scarf and a thick fur cloak. As for boots, she already had them on. The cold air of the halls nipped at her cheeks as she followed Artemis outside.The garden was large and white, covered with snow and ice. Regan walked carefully, not wanting to slip somewhere. Some fountains were spread apart in the garden, their water frozen in glistering sculptures of ice. The trees were covered by snow and ice as well, their icy crystals hanging on the branches in a dangerous way."Artemis, how did you marry this

guy?" Regan asked, still not grasping the idea of Artemis and Agnar. If by just looks, she knew they didn't suit each other. She couldn't imagine how they would get along. Her impression about Agnar, was just one of the bastards that she had met before.

"Well, you know, after the war, I was raised by Queen Frida. She was a close friend to our father and she took good care of me. Agnar... he was also raised in the royal palace. But he was more close with him father. We met during a ball when I was seventeen. He was... quite charming. I admit, I was drawn to him. We started seeing each other in secret, and after a while, we fell in love. We were married when I was twenty-one, and he was twenty-three."The cold air made Regan's thoughts even more cloudy. She didn't ask how old Artemis was, because she didn't know how long the years were there or how old Artemis would be in human years. But she looked to be 25 or 26 something, taking in her appearance and the fact she was her sister.It was quite strange to hear that she was married when she was seventeen. Back on earth, that would be considered illegal."And how long have you been living with him?" Regan asked, still finding it hard to believe."I've been living with him for some years. He loves me but....""But he doesn't understand me. He doesn't know what I need. He's always been a bit selfish, always thinking about himself. He doesn't care about what I want or what I feel. He expects me to be like his mother, always obedient and submissive."He doesn't love you, he exploits you, Regan thought."It must be hard for you," she said, feeling pity for Artemis, "Has he ever abused you?""Oh, yes. Many times. He's hit me, he's threatened me, he's even... he's even forced me to do things I didn't want to do. But I can't leave him. I'm stuck here. I'm his wife and I'm his princess.""Don't be ridiculous, Artemis. I know it's hard for you but you shouldn't have married that loser in the first place. You can still leave him. You can start a new life, find someone who deserves you. There must be someone out there who can make you happy," Regan said, trying to cheer her up, "I'll do something, I won't let him lay a hand on you again," Regan mumbled, more to herself than to Artemis.Artemis smiled sadly. "You don't understand, Regan. It's not that easy. Agnar has power here. He's the prince. If I were to leave him, he could have me killed. He could have me killed and make it look like an accident. He could make it look like I ran away with another man, or that I committed suicide. He could make my death look like anything he wanted. I can't risk that."They walked in silence for a while, and Regan decided to speak up again, "I don't think he's that powerful. You're just believing that, Artemis. And what about your powers?""My powers aren't a match for him.""But, how? What about eternal ember? Don't you have that?" Regan asked, confused."Well, uh...." Artemis's expression turned guarded, "I don't.""But why? We're sisters. Isn't it inherited?" Regan questioned, her expression taking a sad turn.Artemis hesitated, as if she was about to reveal a secret, "It's... complicated. You see....it doesn't mean that every heir inherits it.""What do you mean? I thought it was supposed to be like that," a frown crossed Regan's face."Well, it's not. Sometimes it skips a generation, or...sometimes it just doesn't happen. I don't know why, it's just the way it is," Artemis's eyes drifted to the garden, as if she was trying to avoid her sister's gaze."Oh..." was all Regan could muster. She was taken aback by the revelation. She couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment."You know.... Staying here is dangerous. I'm not talking only about Agnar, I'm talking about Sirius as well. He doesn't want you here. He threatened me so many times that we'll both pay the consequences if we don't obey him. So, we're trapped in all the possible ways.""We're not trapped, I'll find a way out. But if you aren't willing to leave Agnar, I can't help you. I can only promise that I won't let anyone hurt you. And if you ever change your mind, or if you need help, I'll be there for you. Just remember that," Regan said, trying to sound confident."Thank you, Regan," Artemis replied, although her voice was hopeless."Artemis, I know. I'm a burden here. But I have a quest to follow. And I have to find a way to get rid of Sirius.""You have big dreams, Regan," Artemis shook her head, pessimistic, "I wish I could believe you, but I don't know if I can. It's been so long since I had hope, it's hard to find it again.""I'll find a way, Artemis. I promise," Regan said, squeezing her sister's hand. "We'll get through this together. Just don't lose hope."They turned back on the fortress, the cold lingering everywhere. Regan was determined to find something bad about Agnar, something else that Artemis didn't know. But then, another's thought snapped in. She wanted to go and see the city of lights."Well, Artemis, I know I'm being annoying but can we go and see the city of lights? I mean, just to see what it's like. I know we're not very eager to explore, but it can refresh us, and who knows, maybe we'll find something useful. Or just enjoy ourselves for a while," Regan forced a smile, trying to infuse some excitement into her words.Artemis hesitated, but she was bored as well, "Alright... if you insist. But let's not stay out too long and keep our guards up, just in case. I have to tell Agnar," she sighed."Just tell Queen Frida we're going for a walk and we'll be back soon, okay?" Regan reassured her. Artemis nodded and went inside, while Regan waited for her by the entrance. The guards didn't seem to mind as they knew both sisters were close to the Queen and the prince. They exchanged a few words, probably about the recent events, and then left them alone.They went further in the gardens, finding a portal hidden behind the trees. The portal was a rectangle with curved corners. Its mass swirled with colors of pink and aqua. Regan scared in fascination and awe. Artemis said that it was a portal linked only to the city outskirts, so they wouldn't be able to go any further. While entering the portal, Regan's vision went black and it terrified her to the core. She felt as if she was hit by an invisible force and as was falling from an unimaginable height.They materialized in a small courtyard and she thanked God. The area was surrounded by tall buildings that seemed to touch the sky. The city was the epitome of modern and futuristic, with gleaming skyscrapers and wide boulevards. The air was filled with the hum of futuristic flying objects and the chatter of the natives speaking in a language Regan didn't understand. The snow and ice was literally everywhere, the tall buildings looked as if they were made of vivid ice and the roads glistered as well, just that they weren't slippy.They wandered in the city for a while, taking in the sights. Everything was so luminous and bright. The sky looked dull, nevertheless. It was just grey and Regan couldn't see where the sun was hiding. The air was cold and dense, making it difficult for her to properly breathe.They walked along the wide boulevards, admiring the tall buildings and the holographic designs of things that Regan didn't know. There was a strange mix of languages, music, and smells that filled the air, making the whole place feel alive, despite the cold. They stopped at a market, a modern market where civilians seemed to be hanging around.