Forbidden Lake

"I want to know, please." Stephanie begged. She was eager to know the story about the forbidden lake.

"Alright, place your hands on my head, and focus. You will see everything." Queen Iryz instructed. Stephanie closed her eyes, and touched her head. She felt like time stood still, and she was brought to the past, Queen Iryz's past. She saw a young lady, with blue eyes, and red hair. An old lady who looked familiar to her— the sorceress.

*Ice Castle*

"Why can't we cross to the other side? Why is it called the Forbidden Lake? Why does it have two different colors, that doesn't mix, as though something were obstructing its collision? Why—" Princess Iryz kept blabbering. "You ask too many questions, Princess Iryz." The sorceress said. After the First War, that claimed so many lives, including her sister's, she was the oldest one to live up until now. She was referred to as the royal sorceress, because of her ability to see the future and prophesy. "Now is not the time to talk about the lake. Have patience, in a few months, when you come of age, you will know everything." Iryz could only sigh in frustration. She had tried to ask her parents, but she got the same answer.

She stood near the window, looking at the lake from afar, she seemed drawn to it— as though it were calling her. She became desperate, every single day. "Your Highness, the princess will turn 18 in a couple of months. Don't you think we should start the marriage plans? I mean, my son, Gideon, can fit in for the position." Lord Kyle, Lord of the Vine of Chester County, and leader of the dukes. He was the king's brother and right hand man. "I thought so too, but we must follow the ritual process. We will hold a contest on that day." King Lyon spoke. Lord Kyle seemed disappointed, but who is he to question the king. The meeting was, therefore, dismissed.

"I heard there'll be a contest for the princess to choose her husband." One of the maids whispered, unaware that the princess was behind them, and had heard them. "What are you two talking about?" She asked. " We are sorry, my Princess."

"I asked a question. Don't make me repeat myself!" Her voice, alone, sent shivers down their spine. " I…we overheard Lord Kyle speaking of finding you a suitor, and the king wants to hold a contest on your coming of age." Mia said, with her head slightly lowered. "You may leave!"

'Oh, goodness! I need a breather.'

"Scarlett." She called. An ice dragon came flying towards her. She touched her snout, and she growled. She hopped on her, and through mind telepathy, commanded her to take her to the lake. The forbidden lake. Scarlett was given to Iryz when she was ten, to protect her. She is a female Ice dragon— the only female surviving, after the war. She had no name, and Iryz called her Scarlett because she had bright red eyes.

As she landed at the lake, Iryz got down and patted her head. She sat close to Scarlett and wandered far away in her thought. "I'll just take my bath." She communicated telepathically. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I won't try to cross over." She giggled, as Scarlett seemed to have given her a meaningful look.

* Few minutes ago, Fire Palace*

"What is your problem, Jayden?" King Azul thundered. He was the Almighty Fire King. He sat on his throne, made of crimson stone, that shone bright. He stared at his son— his only family. His mother died during childbirth. "Father, I won't try to cross." He replied calmly, he knew the history of Fire and Ice. "I just want to see the lake for the last time. Thereafter, I won't go there any longer." The king could only sigh in defeat. This son of his has a way of manipulating someone to give in to his request. "Fine, then. One last time!"

Jayden dashed out immediately, putting two fingers in his mouth, he whistled and called for his fire serpent, Onyx. He was larger than any other serpent, with fangs, wings, poisonous venom and black hard scales— hence the name, Onyx. "The forbidden lake." He flew him to the lake. "I'll just take my bath. For the last time." He dived into the water.

As stubborn as Iryz could be, she swam close to the other side, that was blocked by a strong barrier. Anyone who tried to break it, might die. "What's that?" She said to no one in particular. She subconsciously touched the barrier, and felt a powerful force. Her eyes widened, not because the barrier was broken, but because she was not expecting to see anyone in the lake.

Jayden had felt something odd near the barrier, and decided to satisfy his curiosity. He subconsciously touched the barrier, and his jaw dropped. They were both surprised, they stared at each other, as their fingers intertwined from touching the barrier, almost at the same time.

Their protectors hurriedly came to their defense, with Onyx and Scarlett in front of the duo. "Do not attack!" The chorused. Iryz retraced her fingers, and smiled sheepishly. "Hi."

"Oh, hello. I… I'm Jayden, the fire Prince." He introduced.

"And you're Iryz, the Ice Princess, right?" He smiled. "Yes, how do you know?" She asked. She had never heard of the fire Prince. "Well, I just know."

"What are you doing here?" They asked at the same time, and she giggled.

She felt a spark, as she stared into his ocean green eyes.

"Scarlett, did you see that? Oh, my! Not even in my wildest dreams will I think that such a thing could happen. How can someone be that handsome? Those ocean green eyes, I felt lost in it." She squealed.

They began sneaking out to see each other.

"Jay, my coming of age is in three days time, and my father wants me to marry someone I do not love. I can—" she trailed. "Do not worry, my love. Nothing will happen, you won't marry anyone you do not love. Trust me!" He assured her, and hugged her.

"I cannot stop worrying, when I know that it's impossible for us to marry, our kingdoms are still not in good terms. Wait, what even happened?" She asked.