Chapter 13 THE SECOND DAY
Amara’s POV
I almost turned around when I saw him.
Snow fell softly over Rockefeller Center, but my heart felt loud and restless. My phone was still warm in my hand from the message I had just sent Ivy, telling her where I was. Just in case.
Noelle stood near the edge of the ice rink, hands in his pockets, watching the skaters glide past. He looked calm, like nothing in the world could shake him.
I wished I felt the same.
"You came," he said when he noticed me.
"I said I would," I replied.
His smile was gentle, but his eyes searched my face like he was checking if I was still real.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I do not know," I said honestly. "But I am here."
That seemed to please him.
We stood side by side, watching people skate. Some laughed. Some fell and got back up. Some held hands tightly like they were afraid to let go.
"Do you want to try?" Noelle asked.
I stiffened. "Try what?"
"Skating."
My chest tightened. "No."
He looked surprised. "Why not?"
"I have not skated in years," I said quickly. "I will fall."
"Everyone falls," he said.
"I fell enough in life already."
He went quiet for a moment.
"I used to come here with my parents," I added before I could stop myself. "Before they died."
His expression softened. "Then maybe that is why you should try."
I shook my head. "Noelle, please."
"Just one lap," he said gently. "I will stay with you."
I laughed without humor. "You say that like you are not hiding glowing eyes and magic snow."
He flinched slightly.
"I promised I would explain," he said.
"And you still have not."
"Not yet."
I crossed my arms. "I should not trust you."
"Yet you do," he said quietly.
That was the problem.
The ice rink shimmered under the lights. Music played softly in the background. Everything looked warm and happy, and I hated how much part of me wanted to step onto the ice.
"I will regret this," I muttered.
Noelle smiled. "Probably."
We rented skates. My hands shook as I tied them. My legs already felt unsure, like they remembered fear more than balance.
"You ready?" Noelle asked.
"No."
He held out his hand. "I will not let you fall."
I hesitated, then took it.
His touch sent warmth through me, steady and calm.
We stepped onto the ice.
Instantly, my feet slid.
"Whoa," I gasped.
"I have you," Noelle said.
He skated easily, like the ice belonged to him. I clung to his hand, my heart racing.
"I hate this," I said.
"You are doing fine," he replied.
"I am not."
My legs shook. My memories rushed back. My parents laughing. My mom spinning me around. My dad cheering when I stayed upright.
Then the crash.
The ambulance.
The songs.
My vision blurred.
"Noelle," I whispered.
He stopped. "What is wrong?"
"I cannot do this," I said. "I should not be here."
"You are here now," he said softly. "And you are not alone."
I tried to take another step.
My skate slipped.
I screamed.
My body tipped forward.
Strong arms wrapped around me.
Noelle pulled me against his chest.
Time froze.
My face pressed against him. His heart beat steady beneath my ear. Warmth flooded my body, stronger than ever before.
I looked up.
His eyes glowed bright blue.
Not soft this time.
Powerful.
Real.
"You are not human," I whispered.
His face went pale.
"Amara," he said urgently. "I can explain."
The rink noise faded. The world narrowed to just us.
My heart pounded.
Magic was real.
And it was holding me.
Fear surged through me.
I pushed away.
"No," I said. "No, no, no."
I skated clumsily toward the edge, nearly falling again, but I did not stop.
"Amara, wait," Noelle called.
I ignored him.
My skates scraped the ice as I rushed off. People stared, but I did not care. My breath came in sharp gasps.
I tore the skates off and grabbed my shoes.
"Amara," Noelle said again, closer now.
I backed away. "Do not follow me."
"I was trying to protect you," he said.
"From what?" I shouted. "From the truth?"
His jaw tightened.
"There are things you are not ready to hear," he said.
"I almost died because of you," I snapped. "Or because of whatever you are."
His eyes filled with pain.
"I saved you," he said softly.
"You changed me," I replied.
Silence fell between us.
People skated past, laughing, unaware that my world was breaking.
"I trusted you," I said.
"You still do," he replied.
I shook my head. "I do not know who you are."
"I am the same man who brought you groceries," he said. "The same one who sat with you while you cried."
"And the same one who heals with a touch," I said. "And fixes broken strings with magic."
His shoulders sagged slightly.
"I never wanted to scare you," he said.
"Then stop hiding."
He took a step forward.
Snow swirled suddenly around him, gentle but alive.
"Please," he said. "Just listen."
I stepped back.
"I need time," I whispered. "I need space."
His eyes dimmed.
"I will give you that," he said. "But I will not disappear."
I turned and walked away, my heart tearing itself apart.
Behind me, the ice rink lights flickered once.
Then again.
I did not look back.
But I felt it.
The pull.
The magic.
And deep inside, a terrifying thought formed.
What if walking away from him meant walking away from Christmas itself?