A Romantic Winter?
Chapter 12
Hey guys. So sorry I haven't updated in so long I've just been really busy. Thanks for all the encouraging reviews and please keep them coming.
With much difficulty over the iciness of the Mineral Town streets, the pair managed to get themselves to the beach. Jill held Skye's hand tightly, the thought of being separated from him at this stage terrified her. Strangely and probably quite wrongly, she felt safe with him…she trusted him.
In the distance a figure could just about be made out in the mist of the docks along with the outline of a boat.
'Come on, we can still make it!' Skye urged optimistically, his jewel-like eyes connecting with Jill's for a brief moment. With a quick backward glance she took a deep breath and nodded.
They made their way swiftly along the shore. The repetitive sound of the icy waves lapping onto the sand seemed to numb Jill's mind, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. She needed a distraction before her anxiety shut her body into meltdown.
'Excuse me!' Skye called out to the man on the pier. The closer they got, the larger he seemed and Jill feared he may already be on the lookout for them. 'Excuse me sir!'
The burly man threw a last box up the ramp of the ship, his large gloves clapping together as he dusted them off each other. He turned towards them, his brow raising as he looked Skye up and down.
'Can I help you?' He asked in his deep, gruff tone. He proceeded to pull a small box out of his back pocket, flipping up the lid and pulling out a cigarette. He placed it between his lips and then felt around in pockets a little more.
'I certainly hope so.' Skye replied whipping a small lighter out of one of his pockets and offering it to the man. He accepted it graciously and lit up before tossing it back to the thief. 'I don't suppose the ferry is running today?'
The shipman inhaled deeply and shook his head.
'The ferry doesn't run in winter, sorry folks.' He replied simply, smoke flowing from his mouth as he spoke surrounding the couple and practically choking them.
Jill glanced back towards the beach entrance, a knot beginning to twist in her stomach as a few familiar figures appeared. With a small gasp she began clawing at Skye's arm.
'Skye!' She whispered through gritted teeth. The thief looked down at her suddenly and followed her gaze to the others who were pointing in their direction and shouting things at the man who stood in front of them.
'And I don't suppose we could hitch a ride on this ship by any chance?' Skye continued in a louder tone to try and block out the calls and orders from the townsfolk who approached rapidly.
'Well I'm afraid that would be terribly risky. I could lose my job. But if you head on over to Forget-Me-Not Valley you could take a ship from there.' Skye bit his lip and glanced down at Jill who appeared to be taking a mild panic attack. Suddenly, something bobbing in the water on the opposite side of the pier caught his eye. He grabbed the brunette's hand once more and towed her over towards it. There floated a small wooden row boat, tied up loosely with a long rope.
'Skye, I don't know if we-' But it was too late. His nimble body disappeared off the pier, Jill's whole body jumping as he landed with a firm thump. 'Skye!'
'Come on Jill! It's our only chance!' He called up to her. The farm girl stood vulnerably, shivering as she stared down at him. Her nose and cheeks were pink from the cold, her ponytail blowing off to the side. 'We'll be fine, I promise!...Trust me!' She glanced around however the other man seemed to have vanished, the others still approaching at a rapid pace. There wasn't much time. She gulped and without another thought, jumped.
Skye smiled smugly as he caught her comfortably in his arms. He set her down gently, his fingers brushing over her cheek and tucking her bangs behind her ear. He stooped to press a warm kiss to her forehead, hesitating before moving off to untie the boat.
'Alright, let's go!' He grabbed the oars, passing one over to Jill with a wink.
'Take care of me Skye.' She said softly.
He exhaled in a short huff and nodded once slowly.
'I will…I'd give up my life for you Jill, don't worry.'
~::~
Several hours later and the city's large shiny skyscrapers were only just starting to come into view. Jill's hands were so numb she felt they were frozen to the wooden oar she held tightly. Her nose dripped and her body shook, but at least they'd escaped the search party.
'I f-feel like I've been p-paddling this stupid thing for months!' Jill moaned. 'I'm starving, and tired and so so cold and-'
'Just a little further angel, and once we're there I promise you we can eat and sleep until your precious little heart is content.'
Jill forced a smile over her bluish lips. I guess he really does care about me…
~::~
When they finally arrived Skye helped Jill as she scrambled up onto the dock swiftly following her with ease. With a quick glance around at their surroundings, Skye wrapped his arm tightly around Jill's shoulder.
'Where are we going?' Jill asked nervously, cowering in at Skye's side as her eyes darted in every direction.
'You'll see.' He chuckled, that naughty glint in his eye shining extra noticeably.
They walked quickly through the busy crowds of salesmen, office assistants, shop clerks and citizens. Scuttled across busy roads, narrowly dodging the ignorant taxis, and rushing business men. Jill was beginning to find it all a little overwhelming. She was a farm girl, used to the peace and tranquillity of the countryside where most days the only person she ever saw was Takakura. But now, suddenly she was thrown amongst hundreds of thousands of people, subjected to an incredible amount of noise from car horns blaring to street sellers yelling. And on top of everything she was with a man who she constantly feared was simply using her, not only that but at the end of the day, he was a wanted criminal.
'Skye!' She whined softly clutching to his shirt even tighter than before. He chuckled as they picked up the pace, determined on getting his love out of the hubbub as soon as possible as her angst was becoming very noticeable.
They eventually arrived outside one of many tall buildings. On either side of the elegant glass door were two carefully shaped bushes decorated with bows and fairy lights.
They entered the rather intimidating lobby, with tasteful furnishings and several people clearly of high importance milling around with brief cases whilst chattering on cell phones.
Jill waited impishly as Skye conversed smoothly with the blonde receptionist. Her heart couldn't help but twang a little even though she understood he was simply wooing her in order to slide a nice room. With a sultry wink, the woman dropped a key onto Skye's palm, whispering something to the effect of "enjoy your stay".
Skye turned back towards the farmer, intertwining his fingers with hers and leading her towards the elevator.
'Thank goddess for my devilishly good looks, huh?' He gloated, swinging the key on its key ring around his finger.
'Thank goddess.' Jill laughed half-heartedly.
As they traipsed up and down many corridors, Jill found herself in absolute awe. The hotel was simply amazing. Red velvet carpets, gold trimmed wallpapers, the occasional chandelier. She wondered how Skye was going to afford it…or if he even planned on paying.
'Finally!' He muttered as they arrived outside the very last door, at the end of the very last hallway. Even though it was only about one o'clock, Jill felt as though she'd been awake for days. Her body ached and her eyelids drooped, a yawn slipping from her as she waited for Skye to open the door.
He held it open for her as she dragged herself in, dropping her rucksack just inside the door. She walked in a zombie-like state but paused suddenly, the quality of the room suddenly hitting her. It was beautiful, and very very big. Right in the middle sat a large king-sized bed complete with several decorative cushions and flimsy silk curtains hanging from its four posters.
'Sk-Skye! This place is amazing!' She uttered in astonishment, her mouth hanging agape and she moved in a slow circle, her eyes scanning every nook.
'I'm glad you like it princess. Only the best for my angel.' He approached her from behind, sliding off her coat and hanging it over a nearby chair which sat beside a carefully crafted desk.
His long nimble fingers brushed the loose hairs off her neck, his lips replacing them as he left a trail of kisses over her flawless skin. Jill's eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment as she allowed herself to relax and submit to his touch. His heavenly scent filled her nostrils and eased her muscles. Her mind, which previously had been thinking a thousand things at once, was now blank. These effects he had on her were completely unavoidable.
However her mind couldn't help but ponder the fact that there was only one bed, one large extravagant bed that was clearly in the hotel to be rented for special occasions such as honeymoons and romantic weekends away.
'I-I'm pretty tired. Would you mind if I rested for a while?' She spoke up shakily and relentlessly.
'Not at all my darling. Take all the rest you need, I understand you must be exhausted after all that rowing.' He chuckled placing on last kiss in the tender crook of her neck causing her entire body to break out in goose bumps.
'Aren't you?' She asked him as she made her way to the bed, pulling off her boots and jumper.
'A little, I have a quick errand to run right now though.' He swanned across the room, his fingers floating over the furniture as he went.
Jill hesitated as she eased back the bed sheets.
'You're leaving me here?' She whimpered anxiously, her eyes growing larger and larger at the prospect. Skye's expression softened as he looked upon her panic stricken face.
'I'll be back before you wake up, I promise. Calm down angel.' He said approaching her coolly. 'I won't let anything happen to you, you're safe with me.' He hovered over her, stooping down to brush his lips against hers once more. 'Now get some rest.'
Within minutes of the brunette's head hitting the pillow, she was fast asleep. Her mind was cleared of all forgotten farm chores, annoying ex-boyfriends and thief chasing mobs and was able to sleep peacefully…for once.
Whilst she slept, her current boyfriend slipped through the city in and out of different buildings, all the while something playing on his mind, something he knew wasn't going to go down too well. However his main objective he found was going to be the biggest struggle… to protect Jill.
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