Elicia's Ice-A Descendants Novel BOOK 1 - Breaking Barriers (2024)

(The thing above is Ellie's Coronation outfit)

"Okay." I breathe. "I might just be going crazy, but I have to admit, I love this dress." I tell Evie. She and Mal are already dressed up, but examining myself in the mirror, I can't believe Evie madethis. For me.I twirl around in a circle, letting the cape wind around me. I do notice one thing, though. She didn't make me gloves. I tug on nonexistent fabric and Evie catches my hands in hers. I stiffen, expecting to freeze her, but her hands remain normal. She smiles.

"You don't need them." She assures me. "Besides, they would totally ruin the effect. If people are going to call you an Ice Queen, them you better look like it."

She runs over to her dresser and picks up a delicate-looking circlet of white diamond. I barely breathe when she places it on my head. It's not a real crown, but she's right. I really do look like a Queen.

Mal snickers. "Guess how Chad's going to look when he sees that."

"I'm not sure I want to. It would ruin his face forever." I tell her. Evie fusses with my dress.

"I hate those boys right now! Of course one of your bruises shows on your back, right where I decided to end the neckline!"

I swat her away. "Leave it! That way, if people ask, I can tell 'em how I got it."

"Smart." Evie says. "But still!" She tugs on my dress again, then a knock comes at our door. Mal goes over to open it, complaining about her long purple dress all the way. I love it, but she seems to think leather works with everything.

Mal pulls open the door to let Carlos and Jay in. They don't look like they tried as hard as we did, but Carlos' eyes go wide once he sees my dress. Dude trots in behind him and starts licking Evie's bedpost for some reason.

Evie squeezes my shoulders once she sees Carlos' face. "He's crushing hard." She whispers. I swat her away again. "Shut up!"

"Wow. Ellie---Um, you guys all look---amazing. Uh, you guys look great. I mean, Ellie---Evie, did you make that?" He bursts.

Jay's holding in laughter. "Yeah, and I can tell which one he thinks looks best." Carlos scowls and bends down to grab Dude from his lick-fest. Dude pauses, looking at Carlos like why did you do that? before he starts licking Carlos instead. I laugh so hard I double over, and Evie starts fussing with my dress again.

"Don't bend like that! You're wrinkling it!"

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The kids singing in the choir just make this so much worse. People are everywhere, and we're stuck on the balcony. Way up high. Where we can watch it all go down, with no way to get to Mal if things go south. I look at Carlos, who looks down our line at Evie and Jay. Their faces reflect mine. Do we really want this? I see my mother in the crowd down below, watching FG reveal her wand. Snow White's babbling about something, glancing down at a card. Ooh, I hope she knows how designed the prettiest dresses here. Evie really is an artist. I look at my mother again. Then Doug. And Lonnie. Panic bubbles up in my spine. Out of nowhere, I grab Carlos' hand. He goes red and looks quickly up at me.

"Are we sure we want to do this?" I ask, feeling out of breath as I say it.

He looks just as unsure. "I don't know anymore. But... It's too late to stop it now." He gestures at Mal, who's taken her place by the wand.

Then the doors open up.

Ben, holding his hands in fist, as if to stop his hands from shaking. King Adam helps Belle up from her chair as Ben slowly creeps his way forward. My heartbeat roars in my ears, blood pumping harder than I can keep up with. Carlos grips my hand tighter as it starts to go colder. He doesn't let go. I breathe in and out until my hand goes normal again. As Ben passes us, everyone bends in a slight bow.