33 MY ROOM OR YOURS?

ROSABELLA'S POV

"Your Ma- Rosabella? Are you okay? Is everything alright?"

I stood there breathless.

I had been running for so long, and it felt better to stop.

So much better.

"I- uhh- I."

I tried to ignore all the guards that were staring at me.

Up until now, I was so consumed by thoughts of Colin, that I hadn't even realized the consequences of my actions.

If the maids were going to be gossiping about my exit with Edward in the morning for weeks, this was going to go about for months.

"Oh, come in, please!"

I stepped into his chamber, trying to look everywhere but at his very bare chest.

Which was very chiseled, might I add.

He stared at me like he was trying so fucking hard not to read my mind.

I knew that he would, if I didn't utter the reason behind my presence.

Even the thought of him walking through my mind any second, made me shiver.

I couldn't have him read whatever was written in there.

I absolutely couldn't.

"I am just so s- so sorry. Edward. You had done enough for me already. I just couldn't do it. I couldn't sleep in that room. A- And I needed a place, and you were the only one I could think of right now."

He smiled softly, and walked slightly closer to me.

For some reason, I began very aware of everything about myself, at that ve

About my hair, and the way they were tied into a sleek ponytail.

My dress, that was a very skimpy night gown.

He caught hold of my hands, and smiled again.

"It's okay. It's okay, Rosabella. I am here. I am right here."

Tears brimmed my eyes, but I looked away.

Ironic how I thought that crying was going to make me look weak, but right this second, I was more vulnerable than ever.

His hand cupped my chin softly and turned it, to make me face him.

His hands were warm.

Like the feeling of having a blanket wrapped around you.

He looked into my eyes, and I almost looked away once again.

I couldn't continue staring at him.

His blue eyes, and his chest.

Oh god, could I hear myself?

I was admiring my future councilman.

Fuck.

"Stop."

His voice pulls me out of thoughts.

"I won't do it again. I promise, I won't read your mind without your consent."

I looked at him, for the first time. Noticing every little thing about him. The way his eyes looked as if there was an ocean inside of them. His crooked smile, and the sharp jaw that compensated for it. He wasn't smiling right now, and I was already missing the dimple on his right cheek.

He had a tiny scar on the top of his forehead. It looked old, or at least that's what Hale had taught me.

Fuck

Hale.

Why, was it always Hale, huh?

Why did my mind always find its way back to him.

"Rosa?"

I blink my way back to the present and smile softly.

He was feeling bad about something I didn't even mind a lot.

"It's okay. It's alright. I trust your words. I- I trust you."

What the actual hell was going on?

"It means a lot to me. Your trust. I plan on treasuring it."

I smiled once again at him. I wanted to keep staring into his ocean blue eyes. For a moment I wanted to swim in them.

I wanted to swim, and swim, until I was miles away from here.

From reality.

"Want to know a secret of mine? After all, you deserve to."

I chuckled at that and nodded. I moved slightly away from him, because I didn't trust my thoughts near him.

"You remind me of winter."

I tilted my head, trying to find a way to interpret his words.

I was sure I looked dumbfounded.

Not a great look for the queen.

He leaned against the wall, and smiled at me softly.

Almost as if he had to reassure me every few seconds that everything was alright

"I remind you of a season?"

"Yeah, the first time I saw you, you were all timid. I could see it through your facade. The way you had put on a brave face but shook every time a council man called you. You know, the way winter slips through at end of a summer month? Your fear was slipping out. I honestly, wanted to be worried about our kingdom. And believe me it wasn't the unmarried thing for me at least. It was how you had absolutely no experience. Believe me. I respect the authenticity of Lormeians. Especially the Crater magicis. But let's be practical, not one Lormeian in that assembly believed you were the right person. "

My eyebrows arched involuntarily.

I mean, I knew I wasn't the bravest. I tried to put on a brave face on the day I got selected, but I still remember how fast my heart was beating.

Let him complete, my head tried not to convince me so that my heart wouldn't make me do anything irrational.

"But not me. No matter, how much I tried to convince myself that you weren't the right choice, my heart didn't budge. A part of me felt that the Crater magicis couldn't be more right. A part of me felt that I was insane. But you proved me right. I admire you for that."

My ears reddened, as i tried not to grin. For the first time in months, someone had appreciated me. And I knew I wasn't doing any of this for appreciation. But it was nice to receive some.

Nice to receive any.

"But back to where I was. I wanted to come up and talk to you. Every time I saw you suffering, or even struggling with the lack of support during the council meetings. But you didn't need it. You were cold. It was clear as day.

Don't take me wrong. You were passionate about doing the best for this kingdom. You brought out warmth in people. You did everything you could to melt them. Prove them wrong and let you warm up to them.

But you were cold as frost. Like the flakes that fell. Gracefully. You were rare. The way people waited to see the first snowfall of the year. Winter was the only season that made people rub their hands near the bonfire and try to warm themselves up. Winter is know n to be cold, but what people don't understand is that it is the only season capable enough to bring warmth to people.

What others didn't see that even though you had a heart of stone, you were as soft as the water that ran in rivers.

And I am glad I got to know this part of you."

If my face was bright red then, it almost looked like a dog in heat right now. I looked away, and smiled softly.

He walked up to the bed and sat down next to me. Keeping a safe distance between me and his very naked self.

I looked up at him, hoping that he was looking elsewhere.

His blue orbs where staring right into my dark ones.

I immediately looked away. I couldn't keep looking at him anymore.

I blush and get up as if his bed was burning me.

"I- It's," I cleared my throat, "It's getting late. I will get going now."

I straightened the white gown that hung over me.

It had gotten slightly loose over the last few weeks of wearing it. Maybe it was the stress, or maybe I was just imagining it.

"You could do that. Or you could spend the night here. You could leave before the maids were up. I don't really want you sleeping alone there."

My heart fluttered at his concern.

But I couldn't stay here.

Not tonight.

"N- no. I wouldn't want to. The rumors are already spreading about me leaving with you. I couldn't overstay my welcome."

He nodded slowly, as if he was trying to get his head wrapped around all of this.

He jumped to his feet and walked to his closet. Out of it, he brought two shirts.

I looked at him, trying to figure out what in the world he was even doing.

He left one of the shirts on the bed, and walked up to me.

"W- Wha-"

He lifted the shirt and covered my shoulders with it.

"It's too cold outside. The flimsy cloth won't keep you warm."

I wrapped the shirt more tightly around me. Trying to find comfort in the warmth of thick material.

"Thank you."

He smiled again at me the same way he did when I had gotten up from my throne after giving that speech.

"I- I am gonna go now. T- Thank you for everything. Really. I mean it."

He shook his head and walked slightly closer to me.

Was he going to kiss me?

Oh my god, was he actually going to kiss me?

My heart felt that it was going to jump out of my chest any second now.

Oh Daeg, he was actually going to go for it.

I mean, I didn't have any issues, but still.

STILL.

I didn't think I could handle all of it today.

All of this.

His hands wrapped around my shoulders as he pulled me in for a hug.

I let go of a breath, I was very sure I was holding.

But my heart didn't feel relieved. Not even a little part of it.

I tried to relax from whatever he gave me at this moment.

Even on a night as cold as this, his body was warmer than my own blanket.

I relaxed in his warm embrace. My bod let go of all that it was hurting from. Not just today, but from the beginning.

In his arms, I let go of Hale. My parents, and Viktor. I let go everything that repeatedly wounded me but didn't kill me.

"You are the strongest person I have met, Rosabella. I am so so fucking proud of everything you have gone through and the way you are still holding up."

His rough voice whispered the softest words in my ears.

He pulled away, and caressed my cheek.

I leaned into its warmth involuntarily.

"Thank you for letting me be there for you."

It was unbelievable. The way he found a way to thank me when I should be the one doing it.

I smiled softly and began walking outside his chamber. Most of the maids had retired to their rooms, and only guards stood outside.

Right when I was about to close the door behind me, a hand shot out and held my wrist.

He walked out, while putting on his shirt.

"You said that you couldn't sleep in my room. Well, I could always sleep in your chamber. One way or the other, there is no way you are sleeping alone tonight. All the demons could find their way over here from hell, and I wouldn't let you sleep alone. So what is it? My room or yours, your majesty?"

Oh that smirk of his.