Page 8 of Ice Bound

"No, no, it's all right. I'm still not entirely warm after your earlier contributions, thank you."

They eased into their chairs, steam from the food rising into the air between them.

With another high-pitched meow, the cat pawed at Neledrim's leg. He indulged itjust as Anna had, giving it some rabbit meat from his bowl.

"Have you had no visitors since your loss?" he asked, looking up from the feline.

Blowing on a spoonful of food, she raised her eyes to meet his. She soon looked back to the bowl. "There have been others."

"You don't sound happy about it."

"They...they knew us. Or my husband, rather, through trade.” She paused, took a deep breath, and slowly released it. “I was allowed six weeks of mourning, but after that...I couldn't run them off the farm fast enough." It took a full moon cycle for the spirits of the departed to enter Vyrelle’s realm, and the neighbors had come the night after Lily would have crossed over.

"They came to court you?" There was something in his voice she hadn't heard before. A touch of bitterness...a hint of jealousy?

"They wanted the farm. I was the easiest way to obtain it."

"No better than vultures," he said with a frown and a hint of disgust.

"No, I suppose not. It took time, but...most of them have given up. What land I have isn't worth the frustration I caused in denying them. They all said a woman can’t make it alone out here. I believe they’re waiting for me to die, so they can seize it." She ate the mouthful of stew, savoring the meat. She worked hard year-round to ensure she could survive, but winters were always sparse.

"Why have you remained here, alone?" he asked, his eyes on her with that strange intensity. "You can barely sustain yourself."

"It's my home."

"Home is not a place. It is a feeling. We carry it with us."

Anna felt that familiar pressure returning to her chest. Even years later, the grief was strong enough to suffocate her. She and Davis had built this place together, with their own hands. Had brought a child into the world here. There had been so much laughter, so much joy, within these walls. The house was all she had left of them.

"They are years gone, Anna. You don't have to forget them, but you can let them go."

Her eyes filled with hot tears. "I...can't."

"Why?" he demanded. "Because you love them too much? I thought love is supposed to be a positive force. They've gone to their rest. You're still alive."

"I can't....I can't speak of this," she said, voice low, throat raw. She had felt Lily grow within her womb, aware of every little movement. She'd been the first to look into those beautiful blue eyes. Had held her daughter while she slept, so peaceful and trusting.

And Lily was dead. A few months of precious life, and Anna hadn't been able to protect her. If she’d been strong enough to get out of bed during her pregnancy, they would have been able to travel, would have wintered with Davis’ parents in the valley.

Wiping the moisture from her cheeks, she rose from her seat.

Neledrim was at her side immediately, his fingers touching her face. She placed her hand over his, pressing his palm to her cheek. His skin was cool, refreshing against the heat that was flooding her. He forced her gaze up. She blinked away the tears to look into those enthralling, multi-hued eyes.

“The depths of your love would make any man not its object envious.”

He leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers.

Anna's eyes widened, breath catching as she went still. The shock of his action, paired with the feel of his sculpted lips, overwhelmed her.

He drew back, his hand dropping. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't—"

She only heard his apology distantly. Her hands moved to his face, pulling him back to her, drawing him into another kiss. Eyes drifting shut, she absorbed the feel of him, inhaled his wintry scent.

One of his arms wrapped around her waist as he guided her back against the wall. He braced his other hand on it, caging her with his body.

She was surprised by his boldness, by the power she could feel in him, by the way he tasted her so greedily. It excited her all the more. Wherever he touched her, there was a thrilling chill that was soon swallowed by the fire roiling within her.

Her hands fell to clasp around his neck while she tilted her head back, deepening the contact, the intimacy. Gods, the flavor of him! He tasted fresh, divine, his breath cool and caressing.

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