Serephina

For the first time in forever, I woke up in a bed that was warm and smelt like her. No panic filled me as I saw what had stirred the bed. Elsa had just risen. As smoothly as she had gotten up, it wasn't enough to keep me from waking too. I watched the lighting change on her bare back. Her fingers hastily combed through her hair. She tugged much of it over her shoulder where she began braiding messily.

I propped my head up onto one arm to watch her more easily. The bed creaked at my movement. Her head turned around at the noise and quickly she smiled at me before bending to grad a robe from the floor.

"You're awake," she said as she plucked the blue silk from the ground. There was a hint of laughter in her voice that made my own smile broaden.

"What are you doing?" I asked at her efforts to dress herself.

"Last night I forgot there were some documents left in the study for me I was supposed to look over. I was just going to go grab them and come back," said Elsa as she tightened the sash of her robe.

I sat up, and the covers fell from my naked chest. Elsa blushed lightly as she moved closer. I loved the innocence about her. The idea though of her wandering around the castle alone bothered me. "Do you want me to come with you?"

She sat down on the side of the bed beside me, "Of course I do, but I want you to stay here comfortable more. You were sleeping so peacefully and seemed so relaxed. Plus, if I do this now I can buy us some more alone time today with no interruptions if the staff thinks I'm concentrating in here."

"Or you could just stay here, and I can run and get them for you," I frowned, still not sold on the idea. But she only smiled. Her hands rested onto either side of my face. I squeezed her silk covered elbow as she gave me an open mouthed kiss.

"If it was your choice, my guardian, I would never leave your sight or this bed, and I love that about you. Just let me take care of this one little thing quick. Make me happy and relax yourself for a while," she whispered.

My response was only a sigh, but I reclined back into the pillows. She smiled before standing back up and went for the door. "Hurry back."

"I will," she flashed me a smile before shutting the door behind her. I stared at the ceiling, hating our separation.

Elsa

My whole focus was on the idea of climbing back into bed with Serephina as soon as possible. I walked quickly throughout the halls with the image of her reclining under my sheets. Last night had been the best night of sleep I had in I don't know how long. I felt as awake and energetic as physically possible. On top of that, I couldn't make myself stop smiling like an idiot.

Regardless, I really did need to hurry. It wasn't exactly proper for me to be spotted in just a robe. Luckily it was early enough that the servants would be busiest back in the kitchen or with the laundry. None of them should spot me. Of course everyone else would be still snoring in their beds, especially Anna. To be honest, I was more than ready to do the same, just in a certain set of arms.

I heard myself giggle out loud and blushed at the thought. I was shaking my head at my girlish actions when I reached the study. The door handle turned under my hand and I was encased in the aroma of books and parchment. Sitting on the large desk was the organized set of documents I needed.

"Not my ideal reading material, but…" I sighed. Just as I began to gather the papers in my hand, an uneasy sensation crept up the back of my neck. I spun around to face down a tall figure. I relaxed only slightly when my eyes reached his face, "Oh, Antoine. It's just you. You frightened me. What are you doing here anyway?"

"Forgive me, your highness. I was just awake and stretching my legs when I notice you moving rather swiftly through the halls. My curiosity got the best of me." Even though Antoine smiled at me, there was something off about his gaze. My jaw tightened as I went back to picking up my papers.

"Yes, well, I just came down to pick up some documents to bring to my room. If you'll excuse me," Papers in hand, I attempted to pass Antoine. However he stepped immediately in front of my path.

He stared coldly down at me, sandy hair falling into his face. "I think you're pet can wait a little longer."

I dropped my gaze as he walked around me. His stare made me feel naked. He leaned against my father's desk as I turned to face him, "What exactly are you saying?"

"Oh, I don't miss much Queen Elsa. The way you run of with that animal you claim a woman. I've seen her leave your room late at night. I've felt the way she's claimed you as her's. No doubt you've had your fun with her," He smirked at me, gesturing at the same time to my entire body.

Immediately I stepped forward and slapped him across the face. His head remained turned toward the side. "How dare you make such an accusation about me. You are a guest of my country and owe me respect."

"Yet you do not deny what I say," He finally turned to look at me again.

"I will listen to no more of this. You will be leaving on the next available ship and I will be exchanging words with Nikolas," I turned towards the door. Just as my hand was on the handle, I paused at his words.

"Really though, you should think more about her." I shouldn't have, but I waited and listened as my heart began to ache. "There could never be a happy ending for you two. Do you think the people would accept the two of you? You would be forced apart. Marriage for you to a noble man, and she would be out casted, for a number of obvious reasons. You keep living a lie with her and it will be both of your destructions."

"You don't know anything," I whispered. A pit was growing in my stomach.

"But yet, you know what I'm saying is true. Make the right choice for both of you if you care about that creature. It would be a pity if you had waste your pretty life."

Serephina

I stared at the ceiling. Elsa's intentions were good, but I grew anxious at her absence. My place was at her side. Without her, I lost comfort in this bed. It was no different than the one I had slept in down the hall without her beside me. I began to wonder if something had delayed her. Impatience built within me till I threw away the covers. I began looking for my clothes, wanting to go out and find her.

Just as I had begun buttoning my shirt after pulling on my pants, the door opened. I turned towards it as Elsa carefully slid through the small opening, a thick stack of papers in her hands. The door clicked shut, but she continued to linger around it. "I was just about to go looking for you. My apologies, but I became too impatient."

"That's… alright." Her voice broke as she replied shallowly.

"Elsa, what's wrong? What happened?" I cleared the distance between us and gently pulled her chin. Her eyes met mine and they seemed a little red.

A smile pulled the corners of her mouth, but did not reach her eyes. "Nothing… I'm sorry. I was just looking at some old things of my father's in the study. I became side tracked and got a little teary I suppose."

For the first time, I couldn't read her face. There was something she wasn't telling me. I could tell that much, but maybe she just wasn't ready to yet. I brushed hair from her face and took the documents from her. "Let's just go back to bed for a little while longer then. I'll keep you warm and safe and remind you that you're not alone."

She let a short sob and threw her arms around me. Right there, in the way she held me, I knew that what was wrong wasn't what she was saying. I tossed the papers onto the floor. They didn't matter right now. She did, and she needed me. I picked her up gently and walked her over to the bed. I laid her down slowly before crawling in on the other side. Immediately she curled into my side. I just held onto her, suddenly fearing what was to come.