Page 59 of Winter's Scorching Kisses
“When you’re done with bathing, there is clothing here on the bed.” Jasmine motioned to a few articles of clothing laid out on the mattress.
“What about the dresses Mathar brought?”
“I wouldn’t wear them.” Jasmine shook her head drawing Adorra’s attention to the updo of her reddish brown curls. “You’ll stick out like a sore thumb, and those fabric dresses won’t keep you as warm up here in the mountains. The only way to stay warm are furs. Trust me on this matter. I only wanted them in case you refused fur clothing.”
Adorra wanted to protest, but she also didn’t want to draw too much attention to herself, so she relented. She’d keep the fabric dresses for a more proper time to wear them or when she got back to her people.
Jasmine sat down on the edge of the bed and cocked her head to the side. “Any questions I can answer for you?”
Adorra quickly stripped her dress off and threw her corset off in record time. The moment the restricting piece of clothing was off, she sighed in relief.
“I find it hard to believe you are truly happy here, Jasmine. I think you’ve been convinced you’re happy here, since you may have felt like you had no hope of rescue, but I want to reassure you that I’m here to get you out.” She looked over at her sister. “You can finally speak the truth now that we’re alone.”
Jasmine shook her head, and jewels Adorra hadn’t noticed before in Jasmine’s hair glinted in the light that streamed through a window. “I don’t want to leave, Adorra.”
Adorra stepped into the tub, and the moment her foot sank into the hot water, a sigh parted her lips. It was going to feel so great to finally get clean and relax. Then she slipped the rest of her body into the hot water.
She turned her head so she could look over at Jasmine. “Now that I’m here, you can rely on me to get us both out of here.”
“Adorra, are you even listening to me?” Jasmine asked looking exasperated as her hands flopped in her lap.
“I hear what you’re saying, but these aren’t your words, Jasmine. This must have been a trying time, and I don’t think you’re letting yourself hope for freedom.”
“I’m about to become a queen, Adorra. Why would I want to leave? I’m also about to marry the man I love.”
“He isn’t a man.” Adorra raised a hand out of the bath water and pointed a glistening finger at her sister.
“How about the fact that I’m pregnant?”
“I know.” Adorra thought about it. “Perhaps we can wait until you give birth, leave the child here, and then make our escape.”
Jasmine’s eyes widened. “I can’t believe you just suggested that I leave my child behind!” Jasmine raised her hands up to her ears as she shook her head. Then she launched herself off the bed and paced. Adorra followed her sister, her eyes having a hard time not staring at her sister’s round stomach.
“Would you want to bring a half ice giant child back to our world?” Adorra reasoned. “This would be the best place for the child. Our people would never accept it.”
“Or maybe I should stay here with my child.”
“I understand you feel some attachment to your?”
“Don’t even finish that sentence.” Jasmine interrupted her.
Adorra was having a hard time convincing her sister, but that was to be expected. After spending so much time here with the ice giants, it didn’t surprise her in the least that Jasmine had been a bit brainwashed.
“I love you, Adorra and I wanted you here for my marriage ceremony. I was hoping you could see how happy I am and accept it as the truth. Perhaps I was being naïve.” Then Jasmine stormed out of the room without another word, the door slamming closed behind her.
Jasmine did look happy, but Adorra couldn’t believe this was the right life for Jasmine. She would have to remain patient with her sister. She would take as long as was needed to convince Jasmine. She just hoped it wouldn’t take too long because she wasn’t keen on staying here among the ice giants for long.
She closed her eyes as she enjoyed the warmth of the water that hugged her tight. She could almost imagine herself back at her manor, and she let those warm memories take hold of her.
