She was dancing with the snowflakes, twisting and turning with them as they
tumbled from the sky. When a gust of wind blew from the north, she stretched out her
arms and closed her eyes, smiling as the crisp air blew the loose strands of hair away
from her face. It was another beautiful day on the floating ice island of Koorime, and
she was taking full advantage of it. Instead of doing her normal chores, she was enjoying
a walk out in the freshly powdered forest behind her home.
And he was watching her. Though badly hurt and exhausted, he fought off the
overwhelming urge to completely collapse. An evergreen concealed his presence from
her, but he had to stay awake long enough to make sure he wasn't seen. A few hours
before, he stumbled onto this unknown territory by accident after narrowly escaping a
deadly battle; he was in no condition to take up another fight. Even if it was between an
ice maiden.
She looked so innocent, though, as she chatted with the cardinals in the branches
above. He was sure she would bring him no harm, but what if she had bigger, stronger
friends that were also watching her? Grimacing as he clutched his freely bleeding wound
that penetrated his abdomen, he tried to lift himself into a better hiding position. The
sudden movement did not register well with his injury, and caused him to gasp with
immense pain.
Startled, she turned sharply around, gazing intently at the source from which the
sound erupted. He inwardly cursed himself as she advanced upon the evergreen,
cautiously pulling back the branches in order to get a closer look.
There he lay, bathed in crimson snow; shirtless and powerless to do anything
except scowl at her.
"If you make one move, ice girl, or raise your voice to call any of your friends,"
he emptily threatened her, "I'll kill you long before help will arrive!"
He glared at her, expecting to see fear in her facial expressions, but finding only
compassion.
"I can sense that you have a strong spirit," she said softly as the stepped toward
him, "but you have a very serious injury. May I examine it? I might be able to help
you…"
She slowly sank onto her knees beside him. Their eyes met: her eyes (snowflakes
adorning her long lashes) mirroring his own in a bright, ruby red color. She smiled,
reassuring him that she would not flee or cry for help. That was all he needed; he finally
lapsed into unconsciousness as she caught him in her arms.
