CHAPTER 29 – MUTUAL FEELINGS

Her breath hitched as his hand pressed on hers, then released it, before he cupped the right side of her face, his thumb in the back of her ear, his fingers in her hair. Their noses brushing, her hand on his arm. He was feeling so much, too much. His heart felt like it would explode. His breath kept faltering and he pulled away, breathing hard, his eyes wide. She opened her eyes, her mouth slightly open. She had felt his heart beating fast in his chest, felt his breath faltering. He bit the side of his lower lip and stood up. "There are some fittings... and... and…" Even words failed him now and he blinked rapidly. "I have to go." "Jack..." He turned, the facade slowly recovering as he raised a brow. She swallowed, as seeing him revert to his cold persona daunted her. but if she wanted him she knew she had to be brave. She knew she had to do whatever it took. Even if it daunted her a bit. Or even a lot. She stood and wrapped her arms around him, her head on his chest. He smiled. "It is fine. I have to go." He tried to pull away, but she held him closer. "I love you. I really do." He nodded and pulled her away from him, then leaned a bit, so his face was right in front of hers. He watched her conflicting expression. "I… understand." He watched the look of disappointment and it made him disappointed too. Moving a bit closer, he pecked the side of her lips and pulled away. "I have to go." He vanished slowly, his hand the last as his touch lingered where she had held him.

Jack Frost sprayed his face, then watched himself in the mirror. "What is this? What is this?" He was asking no one in particular. He placed his hand on his chest. His heart was beating like crazy, and all he wanted was to go back there and tell her… and tell her.. And tell her what? What was he going to tell her? He washed his face again and watched his reflection in the mirror as the water dripped off, clearing more than just his confusion, but his doubt too.

"It is tomorrow." Rhea said to herself. "Tomorrow by this time, I will be Jack Frost's known bride. No one else. No one."

Zeus was staring in the distance, a smile on his face. The smile was sad, yet happy. "I miss you son."

Hermes paced around, his thoughts muddled. How would he tell Jack Frost That Althaia was Hades' daughter? And the woman they'd seem with Apollo and even formed an inside joke about? When he knew Jack Frost wouldn’t have accepted her if he knew. He wondered how they felt now. He wondered how their relationship was now. He dreaded them getting closer. It would be easier for him to break the news to Jack Frost if he felt nothing for her. 

Althaia shook her head for the tenth time and the helper, obviously frustrated now, dropped the dress. "What do you want, lady?" She was trying hard to be polite, and Althaia gave her a small smile. "It is fine. Just leave them. I already have a dress." The helper gave a look. "Fine." She said and walked away, taking the dresses with her.

"She refused them all." Rhea nodded. "What is she wearing?" "I cannot say for sure, but...there are very simple dresses in her closet. She will not stand a chance. Rhea liked the answer. "You can leave now." Her heart felt at peace. Everything was going the way she had planned, and it made her anticipate the next day.

Apollo's heart felt distant. There was still no news of Althaia, and he was slowly hating himself. What had he achieved all his life? He had only pushed away everyone, hurt everyone. He remembered when he had first seen her. How innocent she looked, how much she loved it when he wore a pink shawl, or even gifted her a something as small as a pink rose. He twirled the rose he presently held in his fingers. How much he wanted to see the expression on her face right now. How much he yearned to see her full smile, her blush, her red hair, everything that made her who she was.

His hands caressed the intricate gold designs of the deep blue coat and he sighed. "This is fine." He said to Leon who was standing close to the foot of the bed. Leon studied him. "Is everything fine?" Jack Frost sighed again. "The last time you sighed so much was when we were designing this palace, your highness." Jack Frost smiled a bit. He wanted a home, complex in its design, simple in its reflection of the owner. Leon had been frustrated and he had been in a dilemma for years before the winter palace was finally completed. Standing outside the magnificent palace, Leon knew it was worth the wait. "Come sit with me, my friend. Let us talk like the mates we are." Leon nodded and sat beside Jack Frost as Jack Frost turned to face him. "Althaia.." Leon snickered. "Why?" "I knew this was going to happen." Jack Frost gave him a look. "Are you saying I am cheap?" Leon shook his head laughing. "Not at all. I am saying your heart needed thawing, and she is just the right amount of warmth. The right amount of warmth to thaw your heart. To make it beat again. Like it is right now." Jack Frost sighed. "She makes me protective, Leon. She makes me say things even I do not understand. She makes my heart beat so fast, like it is going to explode. Earlier, when I held her face, when I… felt her hair, her skin, her lips... it felt so real. Too real." Leon laughed. "You are still avoiding it, Your highness." Jack Frost shook his head and stood. "This is as much as I can admit." Leon nodded.

"I will go and carry on with the ball preparations. If the coat is fine, I will arrange for a robe. Is there something else?" Jack Frost nodded. "Have a similar dress made for Althaia, in pink." Leon nodded. "I will see to it. Is there something else?" Jack Frost kept mute and Leon took it as a no. He turned to leave, and his hand was on the doorknob when Jack Frost said, "I love her, Leon." He gave it a breath and added. "I really do."