CHAPTER 34 – TAKEN

His lips were cold and soft, and they took hers softly, slowly. It was different, the way he kissed her, the way his lips sought hers. They were different, like he was asking, pleading, like he cared, like he wanted her to want him like he did her. Warmth erupted in her stomach, her toes curling. She pressed closer, seeking to close every distance. He tightened his grip around her waist, his lashes fluttering against hers. They broke away, each breathless, but their faces resting on each other's. He looked up at her, then moved away, putting a really small distance in between. She managed to open her eyes and he was standing there, watching her, his eyes dark.

"I am sorry I did not ask for permission." She looked at him. "You did it because of what I said? It was so heart touching you decided to lean in and kiss me then apologize later?" She scoffed, the hurt evident in her eyes. He only watched her with the same dark expression. She waited for him to say something, anything and when he didn't, she shook her head, sifting her hands through her hair and made to leave.

"I love you." He sounded helpless, weak. He sounded like he was saying something he wanted to keep to himself. He was looking down at his fingers as he played with them, causing small snowflakes to erupt from them. "Do not ask me how. Or when. But.." He paused and took a deep breath. "But I could not stand it when you cried." He bit down on his lower lip hard. "Ever since...ever since you ran to me… your hair flying behind you, you mindlessly running to me with your dress tearing, I knew." She was facing him now, but he only gave her his profile as he faced the other side, where she was when he kissed her. His eyes and hair shone in the moonlight, making him look surreal.

"Do not walk away from me." He was looking down now. "Every time you did, something hurt. You do not know how I felt seeing you fall. When you walked away from my room and refused to have dinner. How.." He took a deep breath and ruffled his hair, before turning to face her. "How empty my hands feel when you are not holding them. How accustomed I am to you. Your hands. Your smile. Your scent." He raised a brow and let it down again. "I did not kiss you because of what you said. I did it because I...I was hoping that you would understand how I felt for you from that one kiss. Cause I do not know how to put it in words." He watched her expression carefully and gave a smile. "You are pretty dumb." She scowled and came closer, playfully hitting his arm. He laughed for a bit, before the serious expression was back. "Am I dreaming?" "Why?" "You just.." He laughed. "Althaia." She looked up, tears glistening in her eyes. Her eyes looked like black pools and he made to wipe them away, but she caught his hand. "I love you too." She brought herself closer and hugged him, resting her head on his chest, knowing she belonged there, in his arms. They stood there for more time than they knew before he leaned forward and whispered I her ear. "Let us go home." She looked up at him. "Home?" He nodded. "That would be anywhere, though." She looked confused. "Anywhere?" "Yes. Anywhere. So long as we stick together, home is anywhere." She nodded. "But we are going back to the winter palace." She nodded. They walked together calmly, hand in hand, talking about anything and everything. As they got to the door of ice, she heard a voice. It was low, calm, and seemed to be calling her name. She stopped and Jack Frost turned. "Are you fine?" She nodded. He pulled on her arm gently and made to go in before the voice came again, this time louder, and it was surely her name. "Um, go in first." He gave her a look. "Why?" "Let me check something." She replied and he raised a brow. "There is nothing there." She laughed and pulled her hand away. "I will be back." "Why should I leave?" He looked like a child denied of candy. She laughed. "I will be back. Soon enough. You will not notice that I am gone." He gave her a look. "I always notice when you are not there." He released her hand and held her shoulder instead, drawing her to himself. "Would you mind if I kiss you now?" She smiled. "I was wondering when you would." He gave a low laugh, leaned forward, and kissed her forehead, then her cheeks, before her lips. It was the same, and when he pulled away, he took her breath. "Make it quick." She nodded as he vanished, leaving the feeling of his lips lingering on hers. She smiled to herself, forgetting for a moment about why she had stayed out, her fingers tracing her lips, unable to believe that Jack Frost was the one who left that tingling feeling there. She almost squeezed, euphoria coursing through her veins.

"That is so cute, my lady. I have never seen Jack Frost so soft." She turned and two men faced her, each wearing a subtle smile. "You know. Jack Frost has always been hard. Just like his ice. Glad to see that you softened him up." She moved back a bit. "Who are you?" "Well, we are the reason you are standing here instead of being with Jack Frost inside." They looked at each other and the taller one gave a low laugh. "Second. Your father-in-law to be wants to see you." Her mind reeled. "Father-in-law to be?" She asked. "Mm hmm." Was the only answer she got. Is that Jack Frost's father? Who......Zeus. Zeus. King of the gods. Her Father's brother. No. She turned to flee. "Not so fast." It was the last thing she heard before she felt something hold unto her, something like a rope and then felt herself being shot back into a very long distance.