"You know? Being in love with a wizard is pretty handy," Elena said cheerfully, clapping an arm around Mateo's shoulders and pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"You're just saying that because I can manipulate the forces of nature with a single thought," Mateo smirked, sliding an arm around her waist.
Elena laughed, "Perhaps, but you have to admit that you make the impossible happen everyday," she gestured at the snow covered hill before them, "You singlehandedly created Avalor's first and only sledding hill with a single wave of your drum wand. I love it!"
Flushing with pleasure at her enthusiasm, Mateo said, "Well, technically it was three waves— I had to conjure enough water, then freeze it and then crush it into the fine powder—"
Elena rolled her eyes playfully, "Fine, three waves of your wand. Still, it's impressive. And look at how much fun the children are having! All because of you, Mr. Royal Wizard!"
Mateo gave her a little squeeze and smiled happily as he watched the city children playing in the snow. He glanced sidelong at Elena and said, "So, what was it that Naomi said we needed to try once we covered the hill in snow?"
Eyes sparking with excitement, Elena gestured to what looked like a long slab of wood with a rope tied to the end lying at their feet. "She said we had to take this to the top of the hill, sit on it, and slide down to the bottom. It's called 'sledding'."
Mateo looked uncertainly at the steep hill. Clearing his throat, he said, "Er...we're supposed to sit on a thin board and fling ourselves off the top of a mountain with nothing to stop us from cartwheeling to our doom at the bottom?"
"Yes! Doesn't it sound fun? Come on!"
"That's not how I would describe it!" Mateo cried out as she grabbed his hand and ran, dragging him up the hill, the sled in tow.
Panting slightly, the couple stood at the top of the hill looking down the steep incline.
"Come on Mateo! Sit!" Elena gave him a little push as he plopped down on the back of the sled. She sat directly in front of him. "Here, put your feet like this," she directed his feet to the thin strip of wood on either side of her, "and your hands— here." She drew his arms snugly around her waist, grinning over her shoulder at him. "Hold on tight!"
Mateo hugged her close, holding her waist securely. Leaning forward, he smiled as he spoke in her ear, "Mmm...maybe there are benefits to risking my life in the name of fun."
Elena giggled, saying, "Are you ready, querido?"
"Can't we just stay here? I'm pretty comfortable."
"You're ready!" she cried out as she leaned forward and sent the sled careening down the hill.
Elena screamed from the thrill, adrenaline coursing through her as they slid down the slope, so fast that it felt like flying. As usual, Mateo found himself caught up in Elena's excitement, grinning widely as he whooped along with her. He laughed and held her closer as she flung her arms in the air.
They had nearly reached the bottom of the hill when the sled hit a stray stone— flying into the air as it flung the couple into the surrounding snow.
Elena found herself sprawled face first in the snow, coughing and spluttering but thankful that Mateo had conjured such soft snow to land on— until she felt it move beneath her.
Gasping, she looked down and saw a few dark snow covered curls poking out from the snow. She had landed in a heap on top of poor Mateo. Quickly, she brushed the snow from his face as he coughed and spluttered. She helped him sit up, adjusting herself, so she was sitting on his lap.
"Are you ok?" she asked, smiling as she raised a gloved hand to brush the snow from his unruly hair and his clothing.
Mateo made a face as he tried to clear the snow from his eyelashes and nose, but grinned crookedly at her. "I'm ok! Really! And seeing as you're currently fussing over me, I can't deny that it's ended well for me."
Elena smiled warmly at his rosy cheeks and at how his eyes were shining with the fading adrenaline rush. She giggled as she spied a small clump of snow on the tip of his nose. Leaning in she kissed the ice off of the tip of his nose and pressed a second kiss to his cold lips.
Pulling back, she grinned mischievously and leapt to her feet. Grabbing his hand to help him up she said brightly, "Great! Then let's do it again!"
Groaning, Mateo got to his feet and seeing the excitement twinkling in his beloved princess's eyes, threw his hands up in surrender and smiled, taking her hand.
If he was going to be tumbling down the hill and taking a face full of snow all afternoon, at least he'd be doing it with the girl he loved.
