Chapter 5 Pt 1

Something soft and silky is pressed against my lips. I try to scream because at first I think Silvio is still holding me down. Only the soft touch on my cheek soothes my fears.

I open my eyes to meet with Hal's gaze. I'm cradled in his arms on the floor in front of the crackling fireplace. There's a blanket wrapped around me but I'm still shivering as if cold as ice. Will I never be warm again? The question scares me so much. Silvio took a piece of my soul… even the sound of it terrifies me. Silvio is planning to kill me slowly and I'm positive he plans to see this through. The coldness I'm feeling must be death clawing its way into the hole of my soul, waiting for its time to fully devour the rest of me.

"How are you feeling?" Hal is scared; I can see it in his eyes.

If I answer him I just know I'll bawl so I nod.

"Prince Silvio trapped you in the library. I could hear everything but I couldn't move at first. Whatever spell he used kept me from coming to you until he left the room." Hal's hands shake in anger; voice cracking. "I never told you he was a demon. I didn't think he'd do something so drastic. Please forgive me, Queen Amelia." He buries his face into my hair. "Your screams are still haunting me."

Trembling with more than cold, I press my face into his chest, fingers clinging into his shirt. "There's nothing to forgive Hal." My words are soft but I know he hears them by the way he shudders. There's wetness in my hair as his tears soak through it. His grip on me momentarily strengthens and I whimper in pain. Drawing back in horror, Hal releases me from his arms. My body relieved but my heart longs for his comfort.

"I'm sorry, Miss Amelia," he's begging forgiveness again, and it squeezes my heart painfully.

I pull the blanket closer around myself as another shiver ripples through me. "Stop apologizing Hal. It was never your fault. You had no idea that Silvio would do such a thing." I force a smile upon my face to keep him from worrying.

Hal frowns, refusing to buy my act.

There's a knock at my door and we both freeze, eyes widening in shock. No one can see me like this.

"Prince Kite wants to talk to you about your upcoming ritual, Your Majesty. He's waiting in the East Wing drawing room," a maid announces before walking away.

I've been summoned and yet I can't find it in me to pick myself off the floor. I am in no shape to meet anyone.

"I can put a glamour over you but not much else can be done. There is a spell that can temporarily help the cold but it takes too long to complete," Hal drifts off and I get this strange feeling he's not telling me something important I should know.

Wobbling, I make to stand but my knees buckle as soon as my full weight hits them. Strong arms grasp me and I stare up into Hal's face in defeat. It's clear to both of us that my legs are useless. "How am I going to get to the drawing room when my legs won't cooperate?" I try to joke it off.

There's a deadly serious glint in those ruby eyes. "Do you trust me Amelia?" Ah there we are again. I nod with a small smile. (Why is he asking me that?)

Without another word, Hal kisses me so hard that my back bends with the force of it. His grip is tight but gentle to keep me from slipping to the ground.

There's a wave of overwhelming power that rushes through me so fast I feel dizzy. The opposite of Silvio's drainful kiss. Hal's grip on my body momentarily weakens and I gasp as he wobbles ever so slightly. Our lips part and I grab him to steady his balance. I don't have to ask what he did. (How can he transfer so much power to me? He could have killed himself!) My body feels lighter, but the cold is still eating away inside me. The roles between us reversed.

"Hal you can't keep doing that!" He's trying to pretend he feels fine but I can tell by the way he's rooted to the floor he's ready to topple in exhaustion from draining himself to his limit.

"Now… just for the glamour." Somehow finding a moment of strength, Hal puts his hands on my face; soft words flowing from his lips as he slowly slides his hands over my damaged face and arms, completing the spell. Then he sways, and it's my turn to catch him. I help him lay back on the loveseat.

"Thank you," he gives a small smile. "You should go before you're late." However, I find myself being hesitant, feeling hesitant. Only a moment ago, Hal was perfectly fine, seconds later he looks like death wants to claim him. This reminds me of the way he took the pain from the burning stone, drawing it upon himself. So selfless, he never thinks about his own self and only ever of me. Except for the time he declared his feelings for me, unable to hold back.

"Hal?" his name comes out as a whisper.

Closed eyes snap open to meet mine. Without another thought, I'm on my knees beside him capturing his mouth with mine in a feverish kiss. Hands grasping each other firmly as if we're each other's lifelines. Just for a moment we forget all the troubles in our lives. Stopped in our own bubble of time.

When we part, Hal's cheeks have a little color to them and I feel better about leaving him behind. Secretly I gave him a bit of his power back but I don't think noticed. (Good.)

Striding purposely toward the drawing room, I can almost forget the lingering feeling of cold in my chest.