Another instalment for 'Appearances are deceiving' – the Winter collection!

I've decided to put in a glimpse of the 'true love' aspect that I had hinted at it in the summary. That's right people, here comes Jacin! ;)

Thank you, all support is appreciated and if you haven't already, check out what other stuff I've been writing lately. Stay strong!

~InfernoAlive

Secrets in the Dark

JPOV

She was beautiful, as serene as her name suggested. I imagined it vividly, her amidst flurries of falling snow, the very picture of loveliness. Her gauzy dress was like snowflakes on her warm, dark skin, her black hair curled loosely to the nape of her slender neck. Even her scars were dazzling to behold, almost outlining that gorgeous demeanour I saw so clearly even if others didn't.

She walked in front of me now, her hands clasped to her stomach, her back perfectly poised and straight. But I knew there was another side to her, like there was with every single Lunar I had yet to meet. Everyone had secrets. Appearances are deceiving.

I'd only just been hired as Princess Winter's guard, and took the job incredibly seriously, staying close to her at all times. Partly because of my job. Partly because of something else.

A fierce need to protect her, this beautiful girl had had clearly been dealt with a cruel injustice sometime in her life. Rumours were that Queen Levana herself had inflicted these disfigurements on the princess's face as a punishment for 'challenging her' or 'treason'. I hardly believed either of them. Especially clapping my eyes on this young, delicate creature, with her bright smile and sparkling eyes.

Now was not the time to be hallucinating right now, I scolded myself, you are playing your role as the princess's protector! Of course, it was only escorting Her Highness to her chambers after the Royal Court assembly but still…

We came to the door to Princess Winter's chambers too soon and she turned around to thank me. I bowed on instinct as I saw her body turn to face mine but no words came out of her lips for a few moments.

Then she whispered, "You are new, are you not? I don't seem to recall your face…" Her voice was so soft and exquisite, like a warm hug that embraced you for all eternity.

"Yes Your Majesty," I replied politely, standing upright to meet her gaze and then wishing I hadn't. Her eyes was so deep and soulful as she studied me, that I felt the blood rush to my face, "I have only recently been employed this job." She laughed, a sound like the tinkling of bells and I fought the urge to grin like an idiot. That would be improper, to show an emotion like that towards Lunar royalty.

"I thought so," she giggled, tucking a strand of her black hair behind her ear, "If I had seen you before, I would've remembered your face."

Oh… now my whole body was sweating, as I took in her words with a secret glee. What exactly did she mean by that? But then I saw Lunar guards start to walk past, staring at me accusingly and I remembered my place.

"If that will be all, Your Highness?" I asked, bowing again before turning to leave.

"Wait!" she called out, and a shiver of pleasure went down my spine as I turned around to face her.

"What do you require Your Majesty?"

"Your name." She asked timidly, her gaze not quite meeting mine as she gave me a small smile, "I'd like to know your name if I could, kind sir."

"Jacin." I answered without a thought, and she beamed at me, even revealing a dimple in her left cheek. My heart stuttered. "I meant, my name is Jacin, Princess. Anything you else you need?"

"Not that I can think of right now," she smiled mischievously and I struggled to keep my impassive, controlled. Then her face fell as she studied me and it wrenched my heart. Her smiles were secret pleasures to me. Her sadness was a bullet to my soul, "I trust I will be seeing you in future?"

"Indeed, Princess."

She smiled at me again, this one hopeful though I didn't fully understand why, as if she hadn't give up yet on something. Still hoping. A thought flew into my head: You.

"Looking forward to it." Then she winked, "Jacin."

Damn this beautiful siren! I managed a grudging nod in her direction before walking away as fast I could. It was dangerous to fall in love surrounded by people as untrustworthy as Lunars. We all had our secrets, better left alone in the dark. Appearances are deceiving.

And as I tossed and turned in bed that night, thoughts of Princess Winter invading my mind, one question emerged.

What kind of dark secrets were hiding behind that pretty face?