~ Etrix ~

The wolf stared back at her, his ruby red eyes glistening in a contemptuous and mocking manner. Winter tapped her fingers rhythmically against her teacup, studying his expression.

"Your Highness," Esme said, setting another place at the table. "Are you expecting someone?"

Winter shook her head. "No, it's nothing like that."

She looked down at the cup in her hand. A fragrant smell of roses came from the red liquid inside it and a single red petal floated atop its surface. She traced the rim of her teacup, lost in thought. Do druids like roses?

She brought the teacup to her lips and took a sip, the sweet taste of flowers bloomed on her tongue. "Esme," She said. "I'd like some time alone."

Esme bowed before scurrying out of the room.

Winter hesitated, eyes scanning her surroundings. "Okay, come out now."

The wolf sat there, watching her with careful eyes. His coat glistened a bright colour of silver under the morning rays of light that streamed in from her open window. Winter's window remained open, allowing North the liberty to fly around outside whenever she pleased. They were alone.

"I know you're not a wolf," She said, sipping her tea. "So come on out and have some tea. I want to talk."

Snowflake's body was engulfed by a bright yellow light that practically blinded Winter. She blinked hastily in an attempt to regain her temporarily distorted vision. Standing before her, in a cocoon of fading yellow, was a boy who looked about Ezekiel's age. He had porcelain-like skin and light green hair that ruffled slightly in the morning breeze that blew in from the window. His features were chiseled and the tips of his ears slightly pointed. Winter's heart skipped a beat. He was beautiful.

"Winter," He said in a soft voice. "Since when have you known?"

Winter moved her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She stared at him, eyes in a daze. He smiled at her with affectionate ruby red eyes and Winter instantly blushed. He had the type of smile that lit up rooms and took your breath away. He had a smile that could wash away all your pain and make you forget that bitter coldness that ate away at your heart. Winter felt a terrible pang in her stomach. He looked just like an angel.

"Since yesterday," She managed. Her hand flew to her face in order to cover the redness that spread over her cheeks. She cursed her pale complexion. "Who are you?"

The boy took a seat across from her and poured himself a cup of tea. "Etrix," He said, blowing on the red liquid softly. "My name is Etrix."

He sipped his tea and Winter turned her head away in embarrassment of feeling something from such a simple gesture. There was something about his presence that made her feel warmer.

Winter took a deep breath and met his familiar stare once again. "Why are you sticking around me?"

Etrix paused. "Why?" He pursed his lips, mind lost in thought. Truthfully, even he didn't know why. There was just something about her silver hair, bright eyes and the way she clung onto him that made him want more. "I like you."

"L-Like me?" Winter practically dropped her teacup. She was mentally an adult, but her body belonged to an eight-year-old. Was this even okay?

"Do you not feel the same way?" The boy in front of her asked, eyes studying Winter's expression carefully.

"I, I like you!" She blurted out, dying from embarrassment. She wanted to crawl into a hole a disappear. This whole time she was petting and sleeping beside a boy.

Etrix flicked an eyebrow up. "You." He said, watching her like a child examining a new toy. "You reek of death. You're destined to die."

Winter hesitated. "I know," She said, pulling her cup to her lips and taking a sip. It tasted bitter.

"You know?"

She nodded. "I know."

Etrix watched her, mind blazing with questions. "And you're not scared?"

Was she scared? Winter had died once before, so the idea of death didn't scare her. Her role in the story was over, so truthfully she had no purpose left in this world. Aiden would be okay now. Did she have a reason to be scared?

"People die all the time," Winter whispered, "Everyday there's people dying. Every second someone is saying goodbye to someone they love. The only difference now is that I'm the people and I don't get to know when to say goodbye."

Winter was all too familiar with death. Every time she closed her eyes she was reminded of it. Vivid images of distant memories, ones whose authenticity remained unknown, burnt into the back of her eyelids.

Etrix felt himself slipping away into the depth of her pale green eyes. She studied him steadily with them: his expression, the way he drank his tea and smiled. She was bewitchingly beautiful to him.

"Do you want to keep living?" He asked her coarsely.

Winter hesitated. "Yes, but sometimes we don't get to write the way our stories go."

They sat there, sipping their tea in silence. It was at that exact moment that Etrix knew she was fighting an inner battle to become a whole person once more. She was healing. So he made a vow to stay with her, as long as he could, and do whatever he could to keep her safe and from dying. He couldn't let her go. Not yet.

~***~

"A.LEX.I.ON." Winter practically sang as she pushed open the heavy doors leading to the conference room.

Esme, who flailed her arms around in an attempt to stop her, chased after Winter and her wolf. Winter had insisted on seeing Alexion right that second. Esme had tried to get her to wait, but Winter was practically drowning in her own excitement. She ran down the winding corridors and endless hallways until she found the conference room. Looking after that girl was truly a challenge.

Winter froze, scanning the room. Several well-dressed aristocrats were seated at a long table. They watched her with wide eyes and confused expressions. Duchess Rowena would surely scold her if she were to find out about her display of improper etiquette.

"Ah," Winter muttered nervously, lowering herself into a graceful curtsy. "I do apologize for my incompetent behaviour. I was just so excited to see His Highness, Prince Alexion."

"That's alright," Alexion said with a slight smile from one of the seats. "Is something the matter?"

Winter, unable to hide her excitement, ran over to where he was sitting. She spent several hours until late in the night embroidering silver snowflakes on his handkerchief. Her fingers were sore from being poked by her needle so many times, but the pattern despite being a little messy had turned out good. She waved the handkerchief in front of him, grinning brightly.

"What's this?" He asked her, taking it from her hands and examining the pattern.

"I spent all night embroidering your handkerchief," She boasted, eyes crinkling with happiness. "They're little silver snowflakes."

Alexion's face turned dark red. He smiled, his heart racing at the sight of the snowflakes his sister had carefully woven with her tiny hands. The men around him watched with wide eyes. Was this really the cold First Prince? The same Prince who had killed thousands in battle?

"T-Thank you," He muttered nervously, hugging the fabric into his chest.

Winter's smile beamed even brighter. She was in an especially good mood today because of her meeting with Etrix in the morning. She leaned in and kissed his cheek with a small jump, before scurrying back outside. The wolf followed her closely by her side.

"Then I shall take my leave," She told them. "Once again, I do apologize for my sudden disturbance."

Her and Etrix ran side by side, giggling. She wondered if this feeling would last forever.