"HEY! Hey! What did I tell you about running in here?" I said, frustrated from repeating it for the thousandth time in the past five minutes.
"Sorry!" called Beau, continuing to chase our pet dragon, Apep, around in their silly game of tag.
"Well knock it off! I've got a ton of work to do!" I warned.
"Oh, is Miss 'High-and-Mighty' busy today?" teased Beau.
Honestly, if it were anyone else, they'd probably be turned into a toad by now.
"Don't speak to me that way boy. Ya just might end up something most unpleasant." Beau just smiled and rolled his eyes good naturedly. "Anyhow, if it weren't for your little "mishap" yesterday, I might've already been caught up in my work."
"Rosa! You were the one who snuck up on me! It's not like I meant to catch the kitchen on fire!" he whined.
"Yes well, my little servant shouldn't be spending his time distracted by reading now should he?" I queried with a raise of my brow.
"If you really believed that, then you wouldn't have given me a whole library now would you?" smirked Beau.
I shrugged. "What? It was dusty. Someone had to clean it." I replied nonchalantly.
"Quite. So anyway, Rosa, today I was wondering if I may have permission to go out to the castle grounds." He asked timidly. "I won't try running away or anything!" He reassured quickly, "I just wish to enjoy time well spent in the snow. You see, where I'm from, we don't normally get this quite exquisite amount, so I was wondering if I may be permitted to go?"
"Hah! Permission to go out and play in snow? Of all things…" I scoffed. "Well, you have been keeping up with your chores, for the most part anyway." I eyed him, referring to yesterday's incident. "I don't see the harm in letting you indulge in something so childish."
Beau's face lit up. "You mean it; I can go? It'll only be a little while, I'll still keep up with my chores and everything."
"Go ahead, take the whole day off. Maybe then I can get some peace and quiet to catch up on some of my potions." I replied feeling quite generous, secretly taking in the way a huge smile over took Beau's face and his whole complexion lit up.
It was only when two arms found their way around my waist that I was truly shocked. Beau had caught me in what would be a bone-crushing hug for any mere mortal. But as he nuzzled my neck, I couldn't help but feel my face begin to heat up.
All of this over some snow.
"Yes, well enough of that." I said pulling away. "Go on and enjoy yourself. Take Apep with you, he looks like he's in need of some fresh air."
"Okay!" exclaimed Beau. "Come on Apep! Let's go."
Beau readily dressed in warm attire and raced down the stairs and out the front door. The first thing he did was fall right into a huge pile of snow, and was soon followed by Apep who landed on top of him.
"Silly boy." I mused. "What's so great about snow anyway? I mean it's cold and wet. How could anyone be so willing to subject themselves to that kind of thing?" I shuddered.
After about a few hours of spinning, I stopped the wheel and stretched. Looking at the grandfather clock I had realized Beau had been gone a while. "Maybe I should go check on him." I mumbled to myself.
I grabbed my cloak and walked outside, only to be greeted by Apep and a snowman. "Where's Beau?" I asked Apep, a feeling of dread overcoming my body.
Apep just stared at me. Some watch dragon you are. I thought.
"Beau!" I called. "Where are you? You had better not try and run away, because I will find you, and the consequences may be dire!"
Then I heard giggling.
I turned and all of a sudden I felt something cold and wet hit my face. Snow.
I angrily wiped the snow from my face, and turned towards the attacker with magic flowing at my fingertips ready to be released.
It was only when I saw Beau leaning against the tree, smirking, I calmed down. "Oh, so that's how it's going to be hm? Well, I hope you don't mind if I do, THIS!"
All of a sudden Beau was covered in snow from head to toe.
"Hey! That's not fair, no magic!" he said.
I laughed aloud. "Hey, YOU were the one who decided standing under a tree was a good idea. Nice one, oh wise Beau." I mock curtsied.
Too caught up in my victory, I hadn't noticed Beau was now standing a few inches in front of me, until I was scooped up and thrown over his shoulder.
"Hey!" I exclaimed.
"Not so wise yourself, now are you?" Beau giggled.
"Put me down!" I shrieked.
"Nope." Beau laughed.
Apep then came galloping towards us and crashed into Beau's legs, causing us both to collapse on the ground.
When we both recovered from the fall, I looked up to realize Beau was hovering over me, staring at me intently with those bright blue eyes of his. I blushed.
"Erm… I'm so sorry Ros." Muttered Beau as he began retracting his body from mine.
"It's… um… no matter." I replied rather hoarsely. I cursed myself for sounding so weak.
I awkwardly stood up and dusted myself off. I looked to see he was doing the same. I averted my eyes and said, "Hey. How would you like to go inside and maybe, have a warm cup of tea with me? I mean, that is, only if you want to. Of course you don't have to if you would prefer otherwise…."
"Ros. Stop, you're rambling. Of course I would love to have tea with you." Beau interrupted.
My neck snapped up to look at him. I smiled, a rather toothy grin.
"Well, then what are we still doing out here? Come here." I chided.
Beau came close and I wrapped my arm around him. We then teleported to the castle; the frosty world outside was soon forgotten among warm blankets, a toasty fire, and our chipped cup, which was filled to the brim with heart meltingly warm tea of course.