Author's Note: This is really fluffy. In fact too fluffy… You can criticize it cuz I'm criticizing it myself… The thing is, you need to know how much these people really care for each other so that when the climax is here again, I can leave you in suspense! (I'm only kidding, so scratch that! Lol!)

Thanks for the review J.J. Taylor!

nascar-freak

Chapter 3: Warm Snow

Peter drank the last of the water in from his goblet and ate the remains of the food on his plate. He stared down at the scroll in front of him. It was about the Witch's enforcements suspected to be bothering the inhabitants of the Western Woods. Peter's head throbbed. He had already sent men to the woods to see to the matter but somehow, the many scrolls in front of him made him extremely dizzy. He pushed back his chair and yawned. Looking out the window he watched the Griffins fly overhead. The moonlight and stars revealed their silhouettes. Then Peter noticed something. It was the position of the moon, Aren't you supposed to meet Giovane? Peter furrowed his brow and sprang from his chair, You fool! You're late! he scolded himself. Gathering his things and blowing out the torchlight in the library, he ran out of the room.

Giovane leaned against a stall door. She had been waiting for Peter for the passed five minutes. The horse behind her sniffed her shoulder, "Little one, are you well?" asked the black mare. Giovane sighed and turned to face her, "I'm alright, Ebony," she said. The horse's wise eyes were doubtful, "Then why the silence?"

Giovane caressed Ebony's ears gently, "I wonder where Peter is," she said. Just then the barn doors creaked open. Peter's head poked in. Giovane laid her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows. Even from afar, she knew Peter reddened in embarrassment. The king quickly walked inside, "I'm sorry," he said quietly. Giovane smiled, "I suppose your paperwork kept you?"

Peter rolled his eyes and his headache came back. Giovane kissed him gently on the cheek, "Turn that frown," she sang, "Upside down," and ran her index finger on Peter's lips, trying to make him smile. The king smiled indeed and looked at Ebony. The mare had turned her back against the couple to give them some privacy, "Ebony," Peter called gently. The horse turned around again, "Little one," she greeted. Peter touched her nose, "Is Prancer awake?"

"You bet I am!"

Peter and Giovane started at the sound of the stallion's voice. The bay poked his head from the stall beside Ebony, "Where do we head?" he asked excitedly. Peter winked, "I think you already know," he said. Giovane looked at her lover suspiciously. Peter hardly noticed. Ebony nodded her head, "We're going for a ride!" she said happily but careful enough not to wake the other horses.

Giovane coughed. The cold was starting to get to her. The icy wind cut her throat when she inhaled through her mouth. Her nose was stuffy. It had been snowing ever since they left the castle. Peter watched her and trotted Prancer closer, "Are you cold?" he asked worriedly. Giovane shook her head but coughed again. This time it came with a sneeze. She pulled her cloak tightly over her riding dress. Peter reached out and held her hand, "We can turn back if you're unwell," he said. Giovane shook her head. Peter was a very busy person and she wasn't about to give up a chance to be with him for even just a few hours. Soon they came to a trail. The thick line of trees blocked out most of the cold and Giovane thankfully lowered her hood. Her face was pale but her cheeks were quite red. Ebony nudged her stirrup, "Better?"

"Yes, thank you," Giovane patted Ebony's head. Peter turned in his saddle, "I hope you want to canter," he smiled. Giovane laughed, "Anything to break up a sweat," she said. She was freezing! Peter shortened his reins and Giovane copied his action. Soon the horses took off. Their hooves pounded on the ground as they cantered through the trail. Prancer, who was ahead, slowed to a halt before Ebony, "This is it, Your Majesty," he said. Peter dismounted and tied his reins carefully on a low branch of a tree. Giovane was stiff in the saddle. She was cold again. Her legs were frozen in their stirrups. Peter helped her down, "Maybe we shouldn't have come here," he said slowly. Giovane shook her head, "I'm fine," she pressed, "I just need to get used to the cold," she tied Ebony beside Prancer. Both horses began to look for nearby grassy patches for them to graze on. Ebony perked her ears forward, "You have fun now," she teased. Peter held Giovane's hand and led her to the side of the trail, "I just wanted to spend some neglected time with you," he said. Giovane slid her arm in Peter's, "I appreciate that very much," she said. They walked for a moment in silence. Giovane decided to try and lighten some spirits, "Peter," she said,

"Yes?"

"Do fall for jests quickly?"

"I'm not sure,"

"I see," Giovane walked ahead and turned to face Peter again. Her jaw dropped. Peter froze, "What?" he asked. Giovane pointed behind his head, "Oh, isn't that the most beautiful butterfly you've ever seen?"

Peter looked behind him. He saw nothing. Then Giovane broke out laughing, "So you do fall for jests quickly!" she gasped. Peter stood frozen for a moment. Dumbfounded. He then laughed as well and chased Giovane through the sides of the trail. Giovane squealed in delight and ran. Her feet made deep marks on the snow. She slid down a small slope and picked up her thick skirts to run but the moment she turned around she gasped and her eyes widened. Before her was a vast icy lake. It stretched frozen and solid. The sight mesmerized Giovane when she suddenly felt someone grab her waist. She screamed and laughed as Peter pushed her to lie on the snow, kissing her roughly on the lips. Giovane pushed him off, "I'm cold!" she laughed. Peter chuckled and pulled her to a sitting position, "So," he said. Giovane fell heavily in his arms and gasped for air. Peter touched his forehead on hers, "Jesting, are we?"

Giovane smirked and suddenly she felt warm. Warmer than she ever felt in a bitter cold winter. She was so content. Peter leaned over to kiss her again when she grabbed a handful of snow and smashed on his face. Peter laughed, "Having a good time, I see!" he yelled. Giovane quickly got up and ran to a nearby tree. She hid behind its thick bark. Peter brushed off the snow from his breeches and repositioned his cloak. He also shook his head to remove the remaining snow in his hair. He heard a giggle from behind a tree. He saw Giovane poking her head from one side. She wiggled her fingers playfully at him. Peter walked over to her and fell at the roots of the tree. His chest heaved for breath. Giovane plopped down next to him and kissed him on the cheek. Peter wrapped an arm around her, "Don't do that again," he said. Giovane laughed, "Why? Can't you keep up?"

Peter rolled his eyes, "I'm not even going to answer that question," he smiled. Giovane looked at him. For the first time since her arrival she noticed different changes in Peter. His eyes were the iciest blue she ever saw. His face had become far handsomer than she last saw him. His hair was the same but much more prone to become messy as it was now. Giovane looked away. Peter cupped her chin in his hands, "What scheme are you thinking up now?" he asked. Giovane looked at him and kissed him softly. When she pulled away Peter leaned in further to kiss her again, "Whatever goes through your mind, princess?" he asked gently. Giovane shrugged and rested her head on Peter's chest, "So much," she said, "But they are a struggle to comprehend."

Peter nodded, "I see. Is that why you're so silent at times?"

"At times," Giovane replied, "And you? What goes on in your mind when you are silent?"

"You, mostly," Peter said, "If not I'm just moody or thinking of ways to capture the last of Jadis's followers."

Giovane sighed and snuggled closer to Peter. She crossed her arms over her chest. She was sitting directly on snowy ground with nothing but a winter riding dress and cloak. Yet, she felt so warm. She felt Peter's breath on her hair as he said, "Being so young, Giovane, you certainly know how to steal a man's heart,"

"And being so young, dearest Peter," Giovane replied, "You certainly know how to charm a woman."

Author's Note: I told you it was fluffy… Ne way, click that review button and (duh!) review! haha! Now off I go to prepare the next chapter! (That is if you want it—I know you do!) Fluffiness will ebb away if you stick with me. I promise!