Page 30 of The Enchanted Frost

“And this entire time I mistook it for the sun.” His eyes crinkled at the edges in a way that made my heart skip as he laughed again, a warm sound that filled the air between us. “In all my centuries, I’ve never attempted to venture beyond my sphere of winter magic; I never realized how much of life I’ve missed.”

My teasing smile softened into something gentler. “I’m glad we’re experiencing this first together.”

His eyes locked onto mine, his laughter fading into a look of tenderness. “So am I.”

We fell into a comfortable silence, our hands occasionally brushing as we worked side by side. Each touch, each shared glance, was filled with a growing intimacy that knitted our hearts together in ways I could never have anticipated.

The soft scents of ginger and chocolate permeated the air, mingling with the crisp, cool essence of winter that clung to Frost, creating a heady combination that made my pulse quicken. His steady presence was both anchoring and exhilarating, and the simple act of creating something together sent a thrill through me I couldn’t ignore.

As we finished mixing the spices and began shaping the dough, Frost suddenly reached out, his fingers brushing a streak of flour from my cheek. His gentle touch lingered as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. The tenderness inhis gesture, so unlike the aloof figure I’d first met, made my heart skip a beat.

And yet, I hesitated to fully embrace it. I knew I was vulnerable to any kindness Frost showed me since my past, filled with loneliness and neglect, had left me starved for affection. Though I welcomed the growing closeness between us, I reminded myself to guard my heart, especially in a relationship that could have no future.

I needed to ensure I wasn’t falling for the first person to care about me simply because he filled the aching void I hadn’t realized the depth of until I’d met him. But with each accidental touch and every shared laugh, the pull I felt towards him was becoming harder to resist.

With the gingerbread finally baked and our mint hot cocoa steaming in our cups, we settled by the fire, our shoulders grazing as we relaxed in front of the hearth. Shiver joined us, curling into a cool ball in my lap.

I held my breath in anticipation as Frost took his first sip. His eyes widened slightly, his reaction to the warmth and sweetness one of pleasant surprise. I watched him with a soft smile, feeling the bond between us deepen despite my earlier resolve. His lips curved into a smile as he met my gaze, and the surge of affection that rushed through me was so strong it almost stole my breath.

“This is…different.” His voice was softer than usual, almost reverent.

“In a good way, I hope?” I teased.

Frost nodded, his gaze fixed on the flames. “Yes, in a good way.” He curled both hands around the cup as he inhaled the sweet steam.

Joy bloomed in my chest as I took a sip from my own cup. The minty warmth was just as I remembered—comforting and familiar. We broke off pieces of gingerbread, savoring the sweet, spicy flavor as it danced on our tongues, moredelicious than any I’d ever tasted. It wasn’t just the food that made the moment special, but the fact that we had made it together sweetened it more than the sugar we’d added. Each bite served as a reminder of the connection we were forging, a bond that strengthened with each passing day despite my concern for the future.

I couldn’t help but smile as I watched him, a deep sense of contentment settling over me. For a brief moment, the worries and uncertainties of my limited time faded, replaced by the simple joy of sharing this experience. For this moment, I was alive…and more importantly, I was withhim.

The quiet, irresistible pull beckoning me towards Frost grew stronger with each passing moment in his presence, and I found myself scooting closer and leaning my head against his shoulder. He stiffened at first, startled, but quickly relaxed, his arm slipping around me to hold me close.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He didn’t respond with words, but his free hand found mine, his fingers lacing through mine in a gesture that conveyed more than words ever could. Surrounded by the warmth of the hearth and the sweetness of gingerbread, I knew that whatever the future held, we would face it together…and for now, that was enough.

CHAPTER 14

Iwanted to lose myself in the rest of my remaining time with Frost—basking in the stillness and contentment I had only ever dreamed of, now discovered in the final moments of my life. I yearned to further explore the hidden feelings growing inside me with every fluttering beat of my heart, emotions I could only fully explore in his company.

Frost stirred beside me on the hearth, as if ready to pull away. Though I knew the demands of his duties tending to winter and grappling with his faltering powers vied for his attention, I instinctively tightened my grip on his hand, a silent plea for him to remain in this reverent companionship a while longer.

To my relief, instead of releasing his hold on me, he leaned closer, his cool breath tickling my ear as his lips grazed my skin. “There’s something I want to show you.”

A rush of joy filled my chest at the realization he also wanted to prolong our time together, igniting hope that he cherished my company as much as I valued his.

Curiosity piqued, I let him pull me to my feet andfollowed him through the castle’s winding icy halls, followed by the glassy clink of ice claws as my fox companion Shiver trailed us, seeming reluctant as always to let me out of his sight. The air grew colder with each step, the walls shimmering with a soft, ethereal glow. The deeper we ventured into his realm, the more my anticipation built.

“Where are we going?” My breath was visible in the surrounding chill when I voiced the question I was unable to contain any longer.

A small, secretive smile played on his lips as his fingers curled around mine more tightly. “You’ll see.”

We reached a grand set of doors, intricately carved with swirling patterns that seemed to shift and come alive under the glow of the ice. With a gentle push, Frost opened them, revealing what lay beyond.

My breath caught in my throat as I stepped into the most stunning garden I had ever seen—a breathtaking representation of spring, carved entirely from ice. Delicate flowers bloomed in every corner, their intricate petals etched with designs so fine, they appeared real. Soft, ethereal light shone from their centers, casting cool hues of winter across the snowy landscape. Icy vines curled along the ground, their tendrils glistening in the soft glow. Crystal-clear streams wound alongside the paths, their surfaces reflecting the beauty around them. It was a dreamlike scene—an enchanting, frozen echo of life in full bloom.

“It’s beautiful.” My voice was barely audible as I marveled at the sight.

“This is my most cherished creation,” Frost murmured, his gaze sweeping across the garden with a mix of pride and something more tender. “The one place in my realm where winter never fully takes hold.”

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