So hey everyone, how are we all? Sorry for the wait, so as an apology I put some fluff in there. Also because I felt like writing fluff. YOLO. Well, it's kinda fluff. But that aside, here's the next chapter. Hope you guys enjoy, I worked hard. Here you go, read on my lovelies.
In Another's Arms
She had awoken to lips trailing soft kisses down the line of her jaw. For a minute, Ally was terribly confused. Had she woken up in an alternate universe where guys actually took an interest in her? If that was the case she couldn't say she was disappointed. Then she remembered where she was, and more importantly, who she was with. She let out a little squeak and opened her eyes quickly. Puck chuckled beside her and nuzzled into the base of her neck.
"Morning there, Al." He murmured, sending the vibrations of his voice through her her sensitive neck.
She turned her face into his hair and breathed in his scent. "Morning." She didn't want to move, that was for sure, but he kissed her skin one last time before removing his face and standing, stretching out his long arms behind him in a way that lifted his shirt a bit to show tanned abs. Ally groaned and buried her face in her arms.
"What the hell is that?" She grumbled.
He eyed her with an odd look, "What?"
She gave him a long look and finally stood, yawning enough to make her eyes water, "Oh nothing, nothing."
Grimalkin trotted up to them and plopped down at Ally's feet, beginning to groom himself for the millionth time since she had met him, "If you two are quite done, I would like to get an early start today." His yellow eyes found Ally's and she thought she might have detected a little amusement in them.
She shook herself and said, "Yeah, sure thing."
Puck slung an arm around her waist and pulled her in to kiss her cheek with a little sly grin, "Ready when you are." She blushed and swatted at him before they broke apart and headed out, following the cat who had already begun without them.
...
They trudged through the wyldwood for a few hours before Puck spoke up. "So where is this trod located, anyway?" He asked Grim. "I know it's in winter territories, but where in Tir Na Nog is it?"
Grim sighed, "And what would you have done if I hadn't come along, Goodfellow? You left without bothering to ask where in Tir Na Nog you could find the door to the Mortal World? Do you ever think?"
Puck smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head, "Uh...wing it?" He replied.
Ally sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, "And to think I felt so safe with you around. I guess we need the cat more than I thought."
Puck feigned a hurt look and held a hand to his chest, "You wound me, Al, you really do."
"I believe I agree with the human for once. To answer your earlier question, Goodfellow, the trod is deep within the winter court. I believe it is near where the human was being held. We'll have to go through one of the courtyards of Mab's castle."
Puck's face took on a predatory leer, "So we'll likely run into one of her favorite little minions."
"Correct."
"Wonderful."
Ally didn't share in his enthusiasm. If she saw either Rowan or Ash again she might throw up. Just thinking about it made her queasy. She felt a squeeze at her hand and looked up to see Puck grinning at her, a hint of worry buried in his eyes. She smiled reassuringly and squeezed his warm hand back. "I'm alright." She murmured for only him to hear.
He nodded and let his eyes wander back to the path ahead of them. Never once did he let go of her hand. Ally's mind wandered in the silence that followed. What would they do if her mom really didn't know anything about her father and where to find him? What would they do then? Blindly traipse around the Nevernever until they found someone with even the slightest clue as to who she belonged to? That didn't sound either safe or productive. Her eyes took in the vegetation around her, trying to pry her mind from the what-ifs and focus her on something more...positive? She didn't know, she just needed a distraction.
...
They stopped to rest every once in a while, never for very long. It was never wise to stay in the same place for too long in the Nevernever. It took them a while, but they finally entered into the winter territories. Ally hadn't really noticed the drop in temperature until the goosebumps rose on her arms. She shivered as a freezing gust of wind blew over her exposed skin.
"I did not dress for this." She stuttered, shaking already.
Puck looked equally uncomfortable, "Close your eyes for a second."
She knew better than to argue by now. Her eyes shut tightly, and she felt a light pressure settle over her. She opened her eyes when it lifted, finding that her clothes had changed to a tight leather jacket lined with fur and skinny jeans tucked into fur boots.
"Better?" He asked with a smirk.
"Much," she grinned tucking her hands into warm pockets. They continued walking, and it became more apparent that they were in winter territories. The trees turned to evergreens and snow coated the ground in a light powder, making everything seem even more beautiful. Ally stared in awe. Even winter where she lived wasn't as pretty as this. She hadn't really gotten the chance to look around at Unseelie territories when she was first there; she had been unconscious all up until they put her in the cell. She had imagined frozen wastelands with creatures impaled on cloudy icicles and bloody snow, etc. etc.
Nothing like what it actually was. If any creatures had been impaled on the clear, sparkling icicles they passed, the fey new how to hide it. The snow crunched under the three's feet, squeaking against the leather of Puck's boots.
"There is an empty estate just up ahead." Grimalkin murmured, seeming to lower his voice in these territories. "The owners are at court for the next few human weeks. We will stay there."
"Do I dare ask how you know this?" Puck raised an eyebrow at the large gray cat.
He looked to Ally and mouthed along when Grimalkin answered "I am a cat." making her smile. Grimalkin was right, they saw, when soon after that exchange a large Victorian mansion made its way into their view. It was a beautiful dark building, and it looked like the windows were made of ice. There were large faerie metal gates for an entrance onto the estate, the pathway leading up to the door made of stone. The building was rather square, one tower rising higher than the rest right in the middle, over the door. Everything was covered in a light dusting of frost. Puck tried the gates, which were apparently left unlocked. They all hurried through, and he shut and locked them before following the other two up the pathway. They passed under an archway to the front door, which was black with intricate patterns of frost running across as a border. The door was also unlocked. They entered silently, even Puck. Ally hoped to god Grim was right, so they didn't have to go through a whole confrontation about why summer fey were entering a winter Fey's household. Grim and Puck left Ally in the entryway, going through the frigid mansion to check all of the rooms.
Puck came back alone. "The place is empty, just as Grim said. He's off napping somewhere now. Maybe we should follow his lead. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted." Ally yawned in agreement.
"Is there possibly someplace where I won't get hypothermia and die in my sleep?" She asked tiredly.
Puck grinned mischievously and nodded, "With me." She whacked his arm with a scowl. "Ouch. I'm serious, though. Anywhere else and you'll probably freeze, but I'm still warm enough to act as your personal furnace." She giggled at that, rolling her eyes as e bowed low with an exaggerated English accent, "At your service Madame."
"Let's go then, Prince Charming, before I keel over right here." She teased, walking ahead of him.
"Ha, a charming furnace. I could do worse," he shrugged and followed with a little smile. They climbed he winding stairs to the second floor, the wood creaking under their weight. Puck directed her to the second door on the right in the hallway the entered, and she followed him inside. He shut the door quietly, eyeing Ally with a strange look on his face. Was he embarrassed?
They had slept-innocently-together the night before, that much was true. Now that Ally thought about it though, that had been impulsive. They had been caught up in each other then, too amazed that they both felt the same way to think much about what they were doing until they fell asleep in each others arms. Now there wasn't anything to distract them, and Ally could feel her cheeks getting red as she watched Puck shake himself and move to the bed, which was small, so they'd have to squish together. She didn't mind the thought, but she had no idea how to carry it out without being an awkward mess. She had never been great with boys. He cocked his head at her, curious, and she realized she was staring. Slowly, she took careful steps towards him.
When she was close enough he took her wrist gently and tugged lightly, scooting over as much as she could to make room. They lay down slowly, awkwardly, and Puck pulled her into his chest, his heat slowly warming her numb nerves. She hadn't realized how cold she was. Puck shivered when her arms wrapped around him. "Jeez you're freezing, Al."
She laughed quietly, "Sorry." She murmured against his collar bone, where she had buried her face to warm up quicker. She closed her eyes and listened to his heart. She couldn't help the smile that pulled at her lips when she heard how fast it was going. She left the ghost of an ice cold kiss on the bare skin right where it would be, and she felt Puck take in a shaky breath. His heart stuttered and picked up a second later.
His lips brushed her temple once, then a second time. A third. A small kiss came next, and Ally let one hand grab a fist of fabric of his hoodie, smiling again. She let out a little sigh and closed her eyes, nuzzling into him to get comfortable. She felt him rest his chin on the top of her head. They fell asleep that way; completely and utterly together.
xX Blood-Bond Xx: Glad you liked it. Also glad I'm portraying Grim right, I was worried about that. thanks for reviewing.
Daydreamer: Thanks so much~! That's amazing of you to say, and I'm glad you like it so much.
JLdark: Haha, I was seriously considering just leaving it there. I'm glad I put in though, getting a lot of good feedback for it. :D thanks for reviewing~!
Queen of Air and Darkness: Aha xDD If they do it'll be subtle…don't wanna make this an M xDD. Ah yes, there can never be too much Puck XDD yum yum. Haha yeah, I find you hilarious actually xD. Anyway, I'm glad you keep reviewing, regardless off the reason :D 3 thanks so much~!
The Fallen Spring Princess: Why thank you :D I'm glad you think so~!
Guest: aw thanks X)
Ninja Princess LW: Wow xD I'm glad you're so enthusiastic 3 and I hope you enjoyed this chapter just as much as the last :DD.
The Girl Who Fakes Her Smiles: XD Yes, Puck is Mr. Smooth. XD Oh thank god Grim is so lazy, otherwise that could have been even more awkward xD. Thanks for reviewing again :DD
Guest: xD sorry I took so long, but here you go :D.
