The Coldest Winter

"King Herzog could never forget the ice the fate of his beautiful queen as she slipped on her skates, crashing into the lake and sinking into the depths below. He awoke in another viscous puddle of sweat, sheets soaked, heart racing. Still, his wife couldn't escape his mind. He could see her, reaching out to him, dark hair dancing in the waters as she breathed up bubbles. No, he thought, as if his protest could bring her back from the dead. She was gone." The Coldest Winter is a dark fantasy short story written by Brian Barr.