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The sun beat down on Willis's back as he tended to his garden. He groaned and stood up, stretching his muscles. His grandchildren pulled weeds below him. "Yuri, be careful not to mix up the parsley with the weeds," he commented. The little girl frowned and reached for a pig weed. Suddenly its roots shot up from the dirt, darkness wrapping around it. Willis automatically swatted the possessed plant with a hoe. "Yuri! Run!"

"Wh-what is that?!" his grandson, Haru, exclaimed, grabbing his sister and running. They all gasped as the plant twisted and shriveled in midair and the darkness shot from it, having drained it of life.

"Hey!" Willis guarded his parsley as the dark mass snaked its way towards it. "Leave my garden alone!"

An icicle pierced the darkness. It flung into a nearby squash plant. Elsa checked the children. "Are you all right?" she asked gently. They nodded. "Mister Rigatoni, are you okay?"

The squash plant struck the hoe out of the Italian man's hand. The sound of the roots ripping out of the ground made Elsa shiver. A yell shot through the air. Marie swung the hoe and knocked the dark plant down. She offered it back to Willis. "Parsley grows fast," Marie said with a smile. The plant whipped several vines at her. Marie blocked with the hoe, grunting in effort as she was pushed back. Beads of sweat ran down her worn face. Elsa pointed a hand at the plant and froze it solid. Vines that had wrapped around Marie snapped into frozen pieces to the ground. Marie stumbled, shaking off the rest.

Elsa neared her, her icy hands at the ready. "It seemed to be targeting you," she commented, looking to the sky for any remaining dark power.

Marie brushed her arm off. "No kidding."

A flicker of concern ignited in Elsa's chest. "Why didn't you use your magic?" she asked.

Marie blinked rapidly. "It all happened too fast," she said. Elsa eyed her but said nothing. The two women lowered their hands in dismissal when the darkness did not make a reappearance. Elsa could not help but sigh in relief. The darkness had struck three times that day, and although its possessions were not too dangerous, they had all been in Arendelle. She watched Marie greet the children, Willis coming to her side.

"Thank you, Your Highness," he said, picking up the hoe. "But may I ask if you can move aside? You're standing on some parsley." Elsa moved aside and rolled her eyes fondly.

"Elsa!" A head full of red hair rounded the corner, and Elsa was taken aback by her sister's sudden embrace. "Someone saw from the road and told us. We came right away. Are you hurt?"

The blonde squeezed her sibling's hands. "I'm all right," she reassured.

A giggle sounded around them while Olaf jumped off Sven's back. "You look worse for wear," he stated, flicking a vine off Marie.

She smiled and said, "You could say I nearly got squashed." Olaf wheezed and fell backward in the dirt. Kristoff shook his head while Sven grunted. A quiet snort escaped Elsa. She quickly hid her face from Marie, feeling herself turn red.

"Impressive showmanship." A pair of wide shoulders came around the house. Dominic pulled his hands behind his back and looked around the backyard. Elsa's demeanor immediately changed.

"Get out of my garden!" Willis suddenly yelled. The group flinched but obeyed, double checking for any injuries on the Rigatonis. They started for the castle, idle conversation buzzing among them. A gentle breeze blew by, tossing Elsa's hair along with it. She breathed in deeply. Her fingers grasped at the invisible reins on The Nokk, her mind replaying the memory. The hum of the rock giants and the whistle of Gale echoed inside of her, and she could not help but smile.

I belong in the Forest, not here, she thought, bringing a hand to her chest. Elsa sucked in a breath, her head turning to the side and her eyes landing on Marie. But… Her lips rose into another small smile when Marie conversed happily with her family. I don't want to be alone.

"Is Ian visiting you today?" Dominic asked, coming up on her left.

The group went silent, and Elsa could not help but glance at Marie once more. "Yes," she replied. Her posture straightened. "He told me he had something special planned today." Her heart fluttered inside of her chest as she casted a glance at her sister and Marie. Anna wore a coy expression while Marie squinted in thought. Their eyes met. The sudden urge to be alone with Marie filled Elsa. It must have shown in her eyes, because Marie tore her gaze away to the ground in pure sheepishness. Elsa bit her lips to stop them from tingling.

"Ooh! What is it?" Olaf piped up. "A stroll on the beach? A walk through the garden? Maybe a love poem?" He looked at Sven. "All of the above?"

"I-it's a private matter," Elsa stammered. She tucked her hair behind her ear, turning red. "And we-! It's not-! I have to get ready!" The cape of her pink dress flapped in the wind as she whipped around and trudged toward the castle.

"Elsa, wait!" She groaned at the sound of her sister's voice calling to her. "Marie and I will help you!" Elsa gritted her teeth and turned to face them, nearly halfway across the bridge. The sight of Marie falling toward her caused Elsa to flinch, barely giving her enough time to catch her. Marie slammed into her, her breath catching right next to Elsa's ear. "Whoops! I tripped and accidentally pushed her!" Anna exclaimed. Elsa glared at her.

"Sorry," Marie said quietly. Her voice tremored in Elsa's ear as she pulled away. Their noses grazed.

Elsa gripped Marie's shoulders and helped her stand. "It's okay," she breathed. Her heart pounded at their closeness. They backed away from one another, leaving Elsa free to catch up to her sister. "You're so gonna pay," she seethed.

Anna giggled, "A bit flustered?" Elsa squeezed her hand in response, making Anna cringe in pain.

Clanking echoed throughout the red halls of the castle. Marie pulled the suit away from her neck, beads of sweat dripping down her body in uncomfortable places. "Damn, it's hot," she mumbled. A maid eyed her while sweeping. Marie smiled and dipped her head, to which the maid resumed in a hurry. Do I really look that different? Only a few key members of the staff were told the truth about the situation, leaving the rest to gossip nonstop about Elsa's new lover. Her reflection caught her eye, and Marie stopped to double check her appearance. Rumors of Ian's age circulated heavily around the castle and town. Marie smoothed out the dark blonde wig with a frown. I do not look like a teen, she thought grumpily. She crossed her arms and surveyed herself. I don't even look that manly.

"Promise me that you'll be careful."

Marie instantly hid at the sound of Anna's voice. She peeked her head around the stone corner. Kristoff squeezed his fiancée's hands tenderly and kissed her on the forehead. "Don't worry about me. I know those woods like the back of my hand." He looked down at their fingers. "Oh, look. What's that?" Anna playfully smacked his shoulder but laughed. Marie lowered her gaze and pulled away. She had never seen Anna so concerned before. A tinge of jealousy flickered in Marie's chest, but not because of Kristoff and Anna themselves, rather their intimacy. "Besides, if anything happens, we have Gale Mail."

Marie snorted and slapped her hand over her mouth. Anna peered over Kristoff's shoulder. "I just hope I can make things right," Anna said quietly.

"If there's anything I know, it's that nothing can stop you, Anna," he replied lovingly. The sound of kissing met Marie's ears, and she departed quietly to give them privacy.

Elsa stood in the castle gardens, her hands clasped together and her heart racing. I hope I didn't give Marie too much to handle, she thought to herself. Light whispering whisked by, and Elsa's eyes moved to one of the balcony hallways that lined the gardens. Two maids ducked behind the walls. Elsa sighed. That would make at least five staff members that were spying on them today. A sparrow landed on a nearby vine and fluffed its feathers. Elsa knew that most of the spying was done by Dominic's staff, but that did not stop some of Arendelle's to join in. The sparrow eyed something behind the royal, and Elsa listened as chirping came from the edge of the garden. Something light hit the back of Elsa's head. She turned around in surprise. A wadded piece of paper lay at her feet. She picked it up, but not before scanning the edge of the garden with a knowing smile.

Seven today. Also, Gale Mail is a thing?!

Elsa chuckled. She stood on her toes and searched, bringing the note close to her chest fondly. Another note bounced off her hip, this time displaying an arrow pointing towards the west door. Elsa lowered the note and walked calmly, trying not to smile. A quiet, birdlike whistle sounded to her right as Elsa's feet met the stone floor. She glided towards the call and could not help but think of the siren's call. Suddenly a hand shot out and grabbed her arm, pulling her in. Elsa gasped, but froze when a finger landed on her lips. Marie urged her to be quiet and glanced down the hallway. "Never mind, there's ten." She looked at Elsa, who was only a mere couple inches away from her. The shadows that hid them were being cast by two pillars, giving them only a small amount of space to hid in. "How long do you think it would take them to find us?"

"Ten? Hmm…" Elsa tapped her chin in thought. "Five to ten minutes? Depending on how well we hide."

"Well, let's give them something to gossip about," Marie said. She pulled Elsa out into the hallway and started running. Elsa followed, her chest swelling like an excited child. She looked at their hands that were connected and smiled. They hid against a stone wall between the gardens and courtyard. It only took a few mere seconds for numerous assorted staff to rush down the stairs, whispering loudly amongst themselves.

"They went this way!"

"Shh! They'll hear us!"

"It's about time they did something. The tension was getting too high."

Elsa and Marie could not help but look at each other. Marie scoffed and tore her gaze away, but not before Elsa saw her face turn a bright red. "Do they really have nothing else to do?" she hissed.

Elsa poked her head out, seeing them hurry through the gardens. "Apparently not. Come on," Elsa urged. She gripped Marie's hand and led her. For several minutes, they dodged the hunting staff, trying not to giggle. Elsa peered out into the hallway, her blue eyes scanning. Marie began walking out.

"Don't you find it strange?" A female voice sounded. Marie gasped as Elsa yanked her backward. Her armor clanked against the stone wall as Elsa pinned her. The royal stared intensely in the direction of the voice, trying to ignore her palms that shook against the iron armor. The shadows provided little space to hide. "Her Majesty never had an interest in dating, but now she's got three people after her?" Elsa grew stiff. It felt as though her blood turned to stone in her veins. "Ian seems like a nice fellow, but she's stringing him along. And she's never liked Dominic. But poor Marie."

Marie flinched. Elsa could not bring herself to look up at her. "We should go," Elsa breathed.

"I know," another young woman replied. Their silhouettes crept across the small walkway that the two hid in. "It's obvious that Marie's in love with her, but she probably can't do anything about it since Her Majesty has other men."

Elsa sighed, "Just ignore-" She sucked in a breath. Marie was staring at the floor, a painful expression covering her face. "…them." The blonde moved her head to try catch Marie's gaze. "Marie?"

Marie slinked out from the wall and began walking down the corridor. "You're right. We should go." She was never good at hiding her emotions, especially in her eyes. As Elsa stood, watching Marie fade into the dark, an all-encompassing urge shot throughout her body. She pushed it down. Every glance they shared, every accidental touch they had, Elsa kept shoving the ever-rising warmth back into her heart. But as Marie turned her head to glance back at her, Marie's eyes lured her in. Elsa found herself rushing towards her and grabbing Marie's shoulders. Marie gasped as she was slammed into the wall. "Wh-what are you-?"

The brunette trembled as Elsa set her forehead against Marie's. "Is it as obvious as they say?" Elsa breathed. Marie was immediately entranced. Elsa looked at her. "I want to hear it from you."

The royal drew closer. Marie felt her lips throb and twitch as Elsa neared them with her own. What felt like electricity shot throughout their entire bodies, which were pressed against each other in a way that enticed them even more. Marie felt helpless, but for once, she did not mind. Their lips were on the verge of touching, something Elsa was doing intentionally. She rubbed their foreheads together, her hands slipping up to Marie's neck and face. Marie trembled even more. "Me…or Ian?" Marie asked. The words were barely spoken. It was more like they were breathed onto Elsa's lips.

"You," Elsa replied softly. Her mouth hovered over Marie's. "It's always been you."

"I-…" Marie felt the outer skin of Elsa's bottom lip beginning to graze her own. Suddenly she pushed Elsa away. "I can't." Marie turned away and disappeared into the dark corridor. As the warmth of her body faded away, Elsa stared ahead at nothing, her eyes wide and her hand covering her still tingling lips.

A cheerful whistle broke through the large oak doors. Anna flinched, her concentration breaking. Dominic sighed. "Daniel, for the last time, quit interrupting us!" he spat.

The guard stopped dramatically mid step. "You're still playing? Sorry!"

Anna squinted at the chess set before her. Five days had passed since their guests' arrival, and it had been anything but simple. The queen and duke had spent many hours discussing trade policies between their kingdoms, seldom agreeing. Dominic bounced his leg rapidly. Anna watched for a moment before moving her bishop.

"Have you seen Marie?" Daniel asked innocently.

Dominic leaned back in his chair and sighed once more. Anna could not help but chuckle. "She's at the school," the ginger replied, straightening the discarded pawns to her left. "They don't get out for another two hours."

"Oh, okay," the guard replied. Anna watched as Daniel smoothed his vest out. Dominic lifted a finger to make a move. "Is she busy tonight?"

Dominic accidentally knocked over his queen. Anna covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing. "Why don't you go and ask her?" Dominic seethed. "Ask her on that evening walk already."

"Yeah, okay, good luck with that," Anna muttered under her breath. Dominic narrowed his eyes at her. "I mean…Don't ask her in front of other people. She'll hate that." A tiny chuckle escaped Dominic.

"Right. Thank you!" Daniel turned in a circle, gathering his thoughts. "I will!" he exclaimed. He departed the room in a hurry.

The doors clicked shut. "Poor guy," Anna said quietly.

"It'll pass. It always does." Dominic stretched his arms before turning his attention back to the board. The guards at the entrance glanced at each other as silence filled the room. Anna cleared her throat. He took in a deep breath. "Your sister seems…colder than usual," he ventured.

"Was that a pun?" Anna asked. She shook her head. "Never mind. Yes, she does." She grunted in protest when Dominic knocked out her bishop. "You know she can get broody. Just be patient."

"I don't have the time to be patient," Dominic said. Anna grew motionless. He crossed his arms. "That came out a lot coarser than intended. My apologies."

Anna narrowed her eyes. "Are you feeling all right? You seem-" The door clicked open, and Elsa entered quietly. "Hey, Elsa!" Anna called happily.

Her sister gave her a small smile and said, "Hello." Anna felt her chest fall. The blonde hovered over the chess board, her blue eyes scanning. Her face soon grew into a confused expression.

"Daniel interrupted us," Dominic stated. He hesitated before taking out a pawn. "He went looking for Marie."

Elsa moved away, the cape of her ice blue dress dragging on the floor. "Did he?" she asked with no emotion. Before anyone could respond, she dipped her head. "Excuse me. I need to grab a drink." She departed for the kitchens. Anna stared after her.

"Checkmate," Dominic stated. Anna groaned.

"Make sure to work on prepositional phrases over the weekend!" A stern woman who stood nearly six feet tall barked at the group of students in front of her. The group eagerly packed up their belongings, sensing the tone in Mrs. Helgeson's voice. "Don't forget your papers under your desks!"

The middle school aged children always bolted first for the door. Marie beat them to it, smiling smugly at them. She gestured with her eyes to the old woman behind them. "Do we have to?" they moaned. Marie gestured firmly but gently. One by one, the students wished Mrs. Helgeson a good weekend. The batty woman reciprocated, unable to hide the twinkle in her eye. They filed out of the schoolhouse.

"She's not here today, either!" a child voiced from outside. They ran up to Marie, who was seeing the rest of the students out. "Miss Marie, did you ask Elsa if she can come after school yet?"

Marie felt her stomach twist. "Oh. I keep forgetting. Sorry!" she smiled. They frowned and trudged away. She could only look after them with a heavy heart.

"Got any plans for the weekend?" Mrs. Helgeson asked. She slung on light coat despite the warm weather. Marie shook her head. "My husband is cooking tonight. So, if I don't show up Monday, take my position." The older woman smiled as she got a chuckle out of Marie. "Take care of yourself, dear." Marie nodded. She gathered some papers that needed grading in a satchel and swung it over her shoulder. As she locked the school, a familiar presence awaited her outside.

Marie blinked in surprise. "Dominic."

The man dipped his head. "Daniel is busy. He sent me to fetch you," he greeted.

The same sinking, exhausting feeling that she always got around him crept throughout Marie's limbs. She smiled politely. "Thank you, but you don't have to trouble-"

"I wouldn't have come if I didn't wish to speak to you, as well," he interrupted. Marie clenched the strap of her brown satchel but said nothing. They headed for the castle. Dominic pulled his hands behind his back. "No Ian today?" He smiled when Marie stopped in her tracks.

She scoffed. "Why would I know?" she spat. Her head began spinning.

Dominic followed her when she continued walking. "It's wearing you out, isn't it? The double act, the lying, pretending to act like a man when you are most definitely…a woman." He purposely dragged out the last words to catch her attention. "Tell me. Which of the rumors did you like best?"

Marie neared him so their faces were inches apart. "I liked the one where she likes you the least," she hissed. "Your ego is too big to have made that one up."

Dominic narrowed his eyes but smiled. "Careful," he warned. "You wouldn't want to worry the townspeople, would you?" Marie eyed the small gathering of citizens around them. She backed away. "There are some who wouldn't like how close you and Her Majesty have gotten. It is most unnatural."

Her teeth gritted together and hissed, "What do you even want?" She had never been this rude to someone who was nothing more than a stranger to her, but something about his demeanor made her skin crawl.

"She has a reputation, as does Anna. You of all people should know about keeping reputations. After all, isn't that why you're pushing her away?" Dominic could not help but feel satisfied at Marie's reaction. She was cornered, and she knew it.

"Do what you will," she said flatly. They were close to the castle now, so she let her body tense. "There isn't anything going on, and even if there was, the people of Arendelle wouldn't care."

He pulled a corner of his lips up. "So, you thought before." Marie froze. "Rumors do spread like wildfire. But if that isn't enough to stop you…" He reached forward, pulling a trapped strand of her brown hair out from under the satchel's sling. "Then your own pride will wreck you. We're similar that way."

Elsa stood near a window in the castle, the moonlight basking her in its white light. We haven't heard from Kristoff or Destin, yet, she thought to herself. Her fingers absentmindedly played with a seam on her white dress. And Marie didn't show for dinner. Her fingers grew still. Humming sounded behind her, and she turned to see Olaf padding down the hallway, his eyes staring up at the portraits on the walls. She gestured for a hug. "Hey, Olaf."

"Standing alone in the moonlight looking sad and depressed again?" The snowman hopped up on an end table. "I'll join you."

She chuckled, "What's wrong?"

He frowned. "I just finished reading a book and it did not end well," he said in a low tone. "The main character ended up alone. Again."

"What kind of books are you reading?"

"I've been in a romantic mood lately, what with the crazy chemistry around here," he said.

Elsa gripped her arm. "Chemistry?" she asked quietly.

"I'm sorry, but my answer is still no." The feminine voice made Elsa suck in a breath. She and Olaf turned to see Marie and Daniel coming up the stairs. It was the first time Elsa had seen Marie in two days, and it had felt like a lifetime. Marie looked gaunt and exhausted. She had an apologetic tone to her voice, but her facial expression was irritated. "It wouldn't work."

"I don't understand," Daniel pleaded innocently. "Does someone else call you yours?" Elsa cringed while Olaf shook his head.

Marie reached the top of the stairs and spotted them near the window. Elsa felt her chest flutter when they made eye contact. Marie looked as though she was about to cry, causing Elsa to start for her. The brunette withdrew. "Goodnight," Marie stated, going to the spare room and closing the door. Daniel sighed and sulked back down the stairs.

"Oh, now that's a depressing thought," Olaf said to himself. "It reminds me of the part in Within after she pushes away Grace…"

Elsa flinched. "What did you say?"

"You know," Olaf took out an arm and itched his back. "The part when Marie pushes away the person she loves most to protect them from the evil forces at hand but also severs their connection by doing so." He closed his eyes. "It's tragic."

Elsa leaned down. "Olaf, why don't you go find Anna? Tell her she can have some of my chocolate when you find her," she pleaded. He gasped like a child and ran off. Elsa stood, her knees suddenly shaking. Taking in a deep breath, she walked over to the spare room and knocked.

"Daniel, please, go away! Good Lord," came Marie's voice.

"I-it's me." Elsa cleared her throat, surprised at her stutter.

Silence met her. "Come in," Marie said softly. Elsa obeyed. Marie stood up but did not meet her gaze. Her eyes were clouded over and dull. Elsa had never seen that look before, but she knew what it was.

"Are you okay?" Elsa asked softly. She shut the door behind her. For a moment, Marie visibly broke down, but she covered it up. "Did something happen?"

"I just haven't slept well lately," Marie replied. "There isn't an attack or anything, is there?"

"No," Elsa reassured. She squeezed her hands together. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something." She looked up. "What really happened… between you and Grace?"

To her surprise, Marie did not fire back. She only sat down at her desk and rubbed her eyes. "Nothing good." She supported her head on her hands. "I…fell in love with her. We were young, maybe fifteen, but I knew what it was." Her eyes flittered downward. "It was powerful. But I was scared. I saw how people treated my brother, and he hadn't even accepted who he was at that point. People got harassed and beaten up for it. And…I thought God hated me." Elsa's heart lurched as Marie scoffed. "It's so stupid, too. The God I know now wouldn't hate someone for that, but I was convinced it was true. So, I chose Him over her. I chose the "right thing"." Marie leaned back. "The next two years, Grace shamed me for ever telling her. She was cruel and cold, nothing like the person I'd known before. The rest of our friends knew but said nothing. Because I didn't act on it and I was a devoted Christian, no one bothered me about it, except her. I said some awful things to her." She paused. "After two years of being judged and ridiculed and bullied by her, I just snapped. I was sorry, but that was it. She's married now, and I'm happy for her. It was so long ago, but…There's a part of me that has been closed off for the last ten years. I thought I had to choose between what I always knew and how I felt. I've gotten so used to shutting people out, Elsa. Alone and blindly loyal."

Elsa looked down at the floor. So many questions burned within her, but one boiled to the surface. "Is that what you're doing now? Being blindly loyal?" Marie said nothing, but the shame on her face answered her. "Is that how you feel about me?"

Marie clenched her fists. "It's not like that," she hissed.

"Then what is it?" Elsa felt herself become slightly panicked. "Because I'm a royal, you feel like you have to obey me or my sister without thinking twice about it? Do you really think that low of us? We wouldn't do that to you!" Elsa exclaimed. Marie shook. Elsa set her hand on her chest to calm herself. "What happened to you was awful. I'm sorry. I felt that way, too, like I had to hide who I was, or I'd hurt those I love. It would have happened if I kept thinking that way, but it didn't because I accepted who I was." Elsa took a step forward. "You need to accept who you are."

"You make it sound so easy." Marie stood and faced her. "But you had someone who didn't give up on you. Someone who accepted you before you accepted yourself. Life doesn't work that way! It's cruel, and selfish."

Elsa shook her head. "Not as cruel and selfish as you are to yourself," she responded. Marie's eyes widened. Elsa clutched her chest when it throbbed. "If you keep going on like this, you'll end up losing everyone who cares about you." She looked at Marie. "You'll end up losing me."

Tears formed in Marie's eyes. She trembled. Everything Elsa had said was true. She opened her mouth. A knock sounded on the door. "Marie? Are you in there?" Marie groaned as Daniel's voice met their ears.

A dark feeling pricked at Elsa's heart. "Does he stop by this late often?" she asked stiffly. Alarm spread throughout her at the tone of her voice.

"No!" Marie hissed. She approached the door. "One second!" She looked at Elsa, her eyes almost pleading. "What do I do?" she whispered.

"I can leave," Elsa whispered back.

"But I don't want to talk to him!" Marie hissed dramatically, gesturing to the door. "He's nice and all, but…" She exhaled slowly. "I just don't want to!"

"Want to go for a moonlit stroll?" Daniel squeaked on the other side. Marie gestured wildly but silently. Elsa clenched her fists together in front of her, her jealously rising. "It's so pretty out."

"Just say no," Elsa suggested, pushing down her guilt.

"I did!" Marie's innate politeness gnawed at her. Daniel was dense, but because he was not getting the point, it was causing Marie's mind to go to a darker place than what was real. Elsa noticed and took a step forward.

"Um…" She grew nervous. Marie looked at her. Elsa shook her head. "Do you want him to leave you alone for good?" Elsa asked.

Marie glanced at the door. "Don't kill him," she whispered.

Elsa rolled her eyes. "Do you want him to or not?" she asked. Marie grew curious. Elsa's tone was different than usual. It was nervous, shy, yet tinged with what sounded like jealousy. Marie became a little flustered. She nodded. Elsa grabbed her hand. "Do you trust me?" she breathed.

Marie could not help but falter under her touch. She smiled. "With everything," she replied.

"Is someone in there with you?" Daniel asked.

The women looked at the door. Marie was about to respond, but Elsa grabbed her and drew her in. She could not hold it in any longer. The urge to be alone with Marie consumed Elsa. She held her from behind and wrapped her arms around Marie's slim waist. "Don't say anything," Elsa ordered softly. She took a deep breath in, her head spinning faster than it ever had in her life. Her fingers found their way to Marie's collar and pulled down, exposing her left shoulder. Marie gasped. They pressed together. Elsa ran her tongue along Marie's shoulder to her ear, making sure to move slowly. Marie crumbled beneath her. Reaching her right hand forward, Elsa opened the door, but not without accidentally slamming their bodies against it first. Marie breathed heavily, her hands gripping Elsa's arm. Elsa moved Marie's hair aside to expose more of her long, thin neck. Her blue eyes pierced into Daniel. "We're a little busy," Elsa said deeply.

Daniel's eyes shot wide open. "Y-Your Majesty! I-! Uh I didn't know you were here!" Marie refused to look at him. She had no desire to. Her eyes were glazed over, and her body was entranced. Wherever Elsa's hands moved, across her chest, over her hips, on her lower abdomen, Marie memorized. Daniel looked away. "I didn't know you and Marie were, um…"

Elsa was growing impatient. Marie could tell. She hungrily kissed Marie's upper neck, enthralled when it caused her to whimper. "Whomever I decide to be with is none of your concern," Elsa stated huskily. Her hand moved over Marie's upper chest and squeezed, causing the woman to gasp yet again. "But in case you're wondering." A hot breath ran down Marie's neck. Elsa gripped her even tighter. "She's mine." Elsa grabbed the door and slammed it shut. Marie fell forward as Elsa released her, the brunette barely catching herself. Her entire body shook heavily. Elsa caught her breath, unable to take her eyes off her. Several seconds passed. A feeling of dread swept through Elsa. "Right. We can't… because we're both women." Marie froze. Elsa's eyes began to swell. She opened the door.

"Elsa, wait!" Marie cried. She was too late. The door shut in her face, leaving Marie alone. She slunk to the floor, her body ignited.