*crawls from the grave* I liiiiiive! Yes, I still write fanfiction, I just don't post them that often anymore. And over time, I've grown to love the Niall/Donia pairing. So much that I would've loved them ending up together. Anyhoo.. let's get on with the story! Hope you enjoy reading, if you did, I'd appreciate a review :)
Disclaimer: All Wicked Lovely characters, settings and the like are property of Melissa Marr. I own nothing.
The first time that Niall understood why Keenan had fallen in love with Donia happened by chance. Summer King and Winter Girl seemed to have settled their differences for the moment, walking more closely together than they usually did, Niall behind them. He saw Keenan inclining his head towards Donia and saying something that made girl laugh.
Niall stopped dead in his tracks: her laugh was like a blizzard whipping over an empty forest. It wasn't the sound, however, that had Keenan's advisor frozen in place: it was the look on her face. Her face that was nearly glowing. Her eyes that were unguarded and innocent all of the sudden. In that moment, Donia was so terribly beautiful that it was close to unbearable. Niall fought the urge to reach out and pull her to him. He wanted to see her happy like that, always. He wanted to be the reason for it.
But she isn't mine to have.
The thought was sobering, but it brought him back to reality. Donia was off limits. Keenan would not forgive him if he tried getting close to her. Not her. Never her.
But when the arms of the Summer King and the Winter Girl brushed and scalding steam rose, he couldn't help thinking: My touch wouldn't bruise her.
No, a voice in his head whispered, yours would kill her.
Centuries later, the Dark King watched the two of them again. Now Donia was Winter Queen and Keenan her consort. The newlyweds seemed to enjoy each other's company immensely, arms linked, smiling faces turned to each other.
There it was again, that breathtaking smile that had fascinated Niall ages ago. Over time it had lost nothing of its allure. Donia was glowing and that was like a stab to him. He couldn't harm her in any way now, but she was still lost to him.
Too late.
Donia saw him and her smile widened even more. Niall wasn't sure how well he hid his emotions right then.
Some doors were simply meant to remain closed.