Ice Runner by Viola Grace

try and dress her up as a lady. It is insulting.” Kescu took a small step back to one side and clenched her fists in an effort to control the rage that coursed through her, bringing flame in its wake.
    “Lady Gornil, you will apologize to my lady.”
    “I am not going to do anything of the sort, Your Majesty. Your little slut will just have to listen to the truth. I am sure that I am only the first to tell her that she is nothing more than a jumped up little freak from the outer worlds.” Kescu listened to the woman spew her hate with the brittle emotions of her own upheaval. She staggered a few feet away and turned to face Lorvik. “I am sorry. I think I am going to wreck this dress.”
    Flame licked along her skin and burst from her eyes. She gasped and stood with her arms away from her sides, feet apart and her face looked toward the bright sky.
    A roaring tower of flame ripped through her, destroying her gown and sending the nobles scuttling for cover.
    Once the fire was loose, Kes felt relieved. She let the fire recede and stood with the breeze blowing her loose hair around her. A lightness took over her spirit as she looked over at Lorvik.
    He smiled and came forward with his jacket extended.
    She slipped her arms into the sleeves and smiled up at him. “Why do you look like that?”
    “It seems your transformation didn’t require as much work as I had anticipated.” He pulled the sleeve of the jacket up and showed her her hand.
    Gold skin with only a tiny hint of green met her gaze as she wiggled her fingers. She opened the jacket a little, and the colour change had taken place all over her body. “So, fire was what was needed to spur the reversal.” He laughed. “That or you needed to be exceptionally angry. Come with me.” He took her hand and led her to the woman who had insulted the hell out of her. “Lady Gornil, I would like to introduce you to your granddaughter. Kescu Washley, the next queen of the Hanushivi. Kes, this is Lyrica’s mother and, therefore, your grandmother. Lady Lyro Gornil.” The dark eyes and dark hair were familiar. Kes saw them in the mirror every day. “Lady Gornil. Pleased to meet you.”
    “You are really the child that my daughter sent away. I mean, you couldn’t bring fire, but you were so hot that it was only a matter of time before it happened. You are really little Lyrian?” Kes sighed. “I may have been, but I was raised as Kescu. It is a good, solid Wanlio name.”
    “You were raised on the cold worlds?” Lady Gornil was slowly getting closer.
    “Can you think of a better place to hide a fire talent?” Kes gave her a small smile. “Now, as for your assertions that I am Lorvik’s whore… ”
    “I am so sorry. I didn’t know, didn’t think you could possibly be… you.”
    “I was simply going to say that a whore gets paid, and I am with him simply because I like him. What insult can you scavenge up for that?” She raised her eyebrows and challenged the woman.
    Apparently, she was still irritated.
    Lor was laughing, and he introduced her to Lord Henrin, the man with the sceptre and the chamberlain of the Hanushivi court when Lorvik was absent.
    “Pleased to meet you, Lord Henrin. I usually wear more clothing than this.” He smiled kindly. “I will have the seamstress look into flame-retardant fabrics.”
    “Thank you.”
    Lorvik showed her to the others, and she inclined her head for each introduction. The ladies curtseyed to her and the lords bowed. By the time they began the walk to the palace, Kes was feeling the urge to get out of the breeze. One outer blast of heat and she felt completely at home in the weather, but the unfortunate thing was that she was cool for the first time in her life.
    Lorvik held her to his side, and she huddled close. “You know, we could go back to the shuttle, and I could get some clothing.”
    “This makes a statement, Kescu. Embrace it.” She laughed and kept walking, thankful that the paving was clean and easy