Page 14 of The Enchanted Frost (The Christmas Chronicles)

CHAPTER 14

I wanted to lose myself in the rest of my remaining time with Frost—basking in the stillness and contentment I had only ever dreamed of, now discovered in the final moments of my life. I yearned to further explore the hidden feelings growing inside me with every fluttering beat of my heart, emotions I could only fully explore in his company.

Frost stirred beside me on the hearth, as if ready to pull away. Though I knew the demands of his duties tending to winter and grappling with his faltering powers vied for his attention, I instinctively tightened my grip on his hand, a silent plea for him to remain in this reverent companionship a while longer.

To my relief, instead of releasing his hold on me, he leaned closer, his cool breath tickling my ear as his lips grazed my skin. “There’s something I want to show you.”

A rush of joy filled my chest at the realization he also wanted to prolong our time together, igniting hope that he cherished my company as much as I valued his.

Curiosity piqued, I let him pull me to my feet and followed him through the castle’s winding icy halls, followed by the glassy clink of ice claws as my fox companion Shiver trailed us, seeming reluctant as always to let me out of his sight. The air grew colder with each step, the walls shimmering with a soft, ethereal glow. The deeper we ventured into his realm, the more my anticipation built.

“Where are we going?” My breath was visible in the surrounding chill when I voiced the question I was unable to contain any longer.

A small, secretive smile played on his lips as his fingers curled around mine more tightly. “You’ll see.”

We reached a grand set of doors, intricately carved with swirling patterns that seemed to shift and come alive under the glow of the ice. With a gentle push, Frost opened them, revealing what lay beyond.

My breath caught in my throat as I stepped into the most stunning garden I had ever seen—a breathtaking representation of spring, carved entirely from ice. Delicate flowers bloomed in every corner, their intricate petals etched with designs so fine, they appeared real. Soft, ethereal light shone from their centers, casting cool hues of winter across the snowy landscape. Icy vines curled along the ground, their tendrils glistening in the soft glow. Crystal-clear streams wound alongside the paths, their surfaces reflecting the beauty around them. It was a dreamlike scene—an enchanting, frozen echo of life in full bloom.

“It’s beautiful.” My voice was barely audible as I marveled at the sight.

“This is my most cherished creation,” Frost murmured, his gaze sweeping across the garden with a mix of pride and something more tender. “The one place in my realm where winter never fully takes hold.”

I moved closer to one of the ice flowers, reaching out to touch it. It was cold, yet somehow not harsh, just like everything in this hidden sanctuary. “It’s as if you’ve captured the essence of spring.”

Frost’s gaze met mine, filled with a hint of unspoken vulnerability he rarely revealed. “Perhaps part of me has always longed to experience spring in some form. That’s why I wanted to share this place with you, the one who taught me that even in the coldest places, there’s beauty to be found.”

My heart swelled. “It’s a sentiment I share. Until I met you, I never knew winter could be so magical.”

A faint blush colored his cheeks, but his smile was tender. As if to deepen the wonder of the moment, he extended his hand. With a graceful flick of his wrist, delicate ice butterflies formed in the air and began to flit around the garden. They sparkled like jewels, their translucent wings catching the light in a way that made them seem almost alive.

I extended a hand in wonder towards the fragile creatures; to my surprise one lit on my fingertip, opening and closing its impossibly thin, transparent wings. The light shone through it, casting violet and teal shadows over my hand. I was afraid to lean in for a closer look lest my breath melt it, so I stood transfixed until it finally fluttered away.

I looked up at Frost, a little puzzled. “How were you able to do that? With all of the recent changes, it’s astounding that this place remains untouched and you were able to so effortlessly create these stunning butterflies.”

Frost thoughtfully gazed down at his hands, flexing his fingers. “I’m not sure. Perhaps it’s because this place is so meaningful to me. I’ve found joy and purpose in maintaining all of winter that is my domain over the millennia, but this garden was created so I could simply delight in its beauty, to appreciate something that wasn’t solely about the season. I don’t know how much longer this will last if my magic continues to falter, but I wanted to share it with you while I still could. ”

I reached out to stroke a delicate cherry blossom adorning an icy branch. “I’m glad. Even if it melts, that’s how spring is—something lovely we experience for a little while in person, and after that only in memory. The beauty of spring is its impermanence, a reminder that nothing lasts forever…but that doesn’t make it any less precious.” Just like the tender feelings budding inside my heart towards him, meaningful for however long we had remaining.

Frost took a step towards me until we stood inches apart, his brilliant blue eyes intent. My breath caught as his hand slowly lifted, his thumb softly tracing my cheek. “Blanche.” The tenderness filling his husky voice made my heart ache.

Before I could respond, a sharp bark startled us. I stumbled backward in surprise, nearly slipping on the icy path. I turned my head to see Shiver joyfully leaping after the crystalline butterflies, his playful spirit uncontainable. His tail wagged as he skidded across the ice, barking in delight as he tried to catch the elusive creatures.

A new sound blended with my pet’s playful exuberance as my laughter spilled out, echoing in the stillness of the garden as I released the tension and longing of the previous moments, filling the space with a warmth that felt almost out of place amid the ice but which had become part of the unexpected friendship Frost and I had forged. The joy of the moment was contagious, making me feel closer to him than I ever had before, as if the unseen magic of this frozen garden had drawn us even closer, making the bond between us all the more tangible.

I turned away from Shiver to find Frost staring at me with a look of wonder. “I’ve never heard you laugh so freely until today,” he murmured. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more beautiful sound.”

My cheeks warmed at the compliment, even as I considered his words. “My life for the past year or so has been devoid of laughter. Even before I found myself on the streets, I can’t remember the last time I truly laughed as opposed to my pretended, genteel amusement as I interacted with the peerage and sought to appear attractive.” I lowered my eyes, ashamed.

“It’s one of my greatest privileges that you’re comfortable and happy enough with me to share true laughter.” Frost took my hand and squeezed softly, leading me deeper into the world of icy spring.

My breath caught at every new marvel I discovered, unable to tear my eyes away—a delicate flower here, a shimmering butterfly there, each a new wonder for my enjoyment. “It’s truly breathtaking, Frost,” I murmured. “I never imagined something so alive could exist in a place like this.”

Frost watched me with a soft smile, his gaze following mine as I took in the surrounding beauty and wonder. “I’m glad that this garden is the one place that has remained untouched by the thaw tainting the rest of my realm, a piece of spring frozen in time.”

I gently caressed the smooth surface of a thin, icy petal between my fingers. “Spring was always my favorite season—a time of new beginnings and hope after the cold winter. I used to spend hours in the garden at home, waiting for the first flowers to bloom. Even after I ended up on the streets, those first signs of life gave me something to hold on to when things were hard.”

Frost’s expression grew thoughtful as he extended a finger for one of his butterflies to perch. “It saddens me that my season caused you so much pain.” He paused, watching the butterfly’s wings glisten in the pale light. “I created this sanctuary at the beginning of time, long before meeting you caused me to long for something beyond the winter that had been my only companion and refuge. Perhaps I’ve always envied spring—the warmth, the vibrancy, the life, everything that my world isn’t. I’ve tried to capture that here, though it’s merely a shadow of the real thing.”

A hint of melancholy darkened his expression as his gaze drifted, as though he was lost looking back at the eternity that had led him here.

I stepped closer. “You’ve created something truly special, Frost. But it must be lonely, surrounded by so much beauty that never changes or really grows, merely reflecting all the unspoken hopes your heart longs for.”

I hadn’t yet spoken about the isolation I’d witnessed in the mirror that revealed his past; I wanted him to open up to me and allow me to help him—not just out of appreciation for all the times he’d listened to me, but so he wouldn’t have to continue carrying his burden alone.

A shadow crossed his face as the butterfly took flight and he turned his attention to me. “Loneliness has always been a part of my life; it’s the price of being the Keeper of Winter.” His voice was low, filled with years of weariness. “But since meeting you, something’s changed—you’ve brought warmth into my world in a way I never imagined possible. Even though I’ve existed for centuries, it wasn’t until I met you that I realized I’ve never truly lived. I want to be with you, to share the warmth you’ve given me. But I fear that in doing so, I’ll lose everything that I am.”

The uncertainty filling his deep blue eyes at the possibility extended across the space separating us to touch my heart, allowing me to feel all of his fears with him. I didn’t want him to lose anything because he’d met me. Life had taught me that even if I lost everything I thought mattered, there was always the opportunity to gain something new one might not otherwise discover if they’d gone down a different path.

After all, I’d only met Frost because I’d frozen to death. Perhaps my suffering—not only that cold night in the alley but my entire time on the streets—had not been merely cruel happenstance, but had been intended to lead to this.

I moved closer, resting a gentle hand on his arm. “And what if it means gaining something even more? Your existence has remained stagnant for so long, but life is about change. Maybe it’s time for you to experience something new. You don’t have to be alone anymore.”

He didn’t respond immediately, his attention drawn to my hand resting on his arm as though my touch anchored him. Slowly, his hand found mine, covering my fingers in a tight grip.

Before we could continue our budding relationship, I knew I needed to tell Frost about the event my showcase of memories from before had stopped just short of. He had opened himself to me and deserved the same honesty.

Noticing an ornate bench of ice beneath one of the blossoming trees, I sat down. Frost joined me, facing me curiously. My fingers trembled slightly as I slowly withdrew the silver door knocker from my pocket. His eyes widened, but he patiently waited for me to speak.

I stroked the glossy surface, untarnished thanks to how often I handled it. “One evening my parents hosted a lavish ball.” I closed my eyes, reliving the moment—the swirling satin gowns, the hundreds of lit candles, the tables piled high with all manner of elegant treats. “Towards the end of the night, a young man who had been showing me particular attention for the past several months led me into a secluded alcove and proposed to me. I harshly rejected him; he wasn’t wealthy enough for my ambitions, nor handsome enough to catch my eye.”

Remorse curdled my stomach. I took a wavering breath and Frost reached out to cover my hand with his own, patiently waiting for me to continue.

“I went to bed in the early hours of the morning, tired from all the excitement and jaded—my plans for the future were to secure a match that would provide me with the money, reputation, and societal clout I longed for, but deep down I feared that even that wouldn’t satisfy the empty ache I felt. I’d only slept a few hours when I was wakened by a loud banging. I went downstairs to find a stranger forcing the front door open. I tried to call for help, but the house was empty—my parents, the servants…everyone was gone. The man followed me into the kitchens, and though he assured me he wasn’t going to hurt me, he informed me I needed to leave immediately because the home had been repossessed.”

Frost frowned in confusion. “Where had everyone gone?”

I sighed. “Unbeknownst to me, my father had been gambling for years, and in a desperate attempt to avoid financial ruin, he placed an incredibly risky bet with our home as collateral. He lost, and with it everything we owned and more. His final act of defiance was to throw an expensive party he could never pay for the day before the house was to be taken. After I went to bed, he attempted to leave town, but was detained by the police and later sentenced to debtor’s prison.”

“Leaving you and your mother to fend for yourselves?” Frost’s voice tightened with concern.

I bit my lip, shaking my head. “My mother, who knew she would soon be evicted, had been secretly selling off anything of value for weeks, though I didn’t know this until later when I overheard gossip on the street. She raised enough money to buy passage on a ship to a neighboring kingdom where her sister lived, leaving in the night without a word to me.”

Frost’s eyes widened in horror. “Your parents just abandoned you, leaving you in a home that was no longer yours?”

I managed a nod. “My father was desperate to escape prison and my mother was equally desperate to escape being dragged down with him. Though she would likely have avoided prison, surely she would have lost her status in society.”

“But how could they leave their child behind?”

I shrugged. “They left me behind my entire life. My governess was the only one who made sure I was fed, clothed, and educated, and I thought she truly loved me.” I took a wavering breath, the pain of this discovery even deeper than losing my parents, who had never shown any sign of affection. “But though she faithfully cared for me, I was nothing more than a job for her, and once payment ceased, so did her efforts.”

A movement caught my eye and I glanced up to see Frost’s eyes blazing, tiny snowflakes swirling about him in his agitation. “No one should ever have to experience what you did.”

I squeezed his fingers in gratitude for the empathy I had been seeking from the moment my life had drastically altered.

“The new owner allowed me to dress in my simplest gown, but refused to let me to take anything with me as it all belonged to him…not that there was much of value left anyway. I protested but he shoved me out; I tripped over this door knocker on my way down the steps. In his banging on the door and receiving no answer since all the servants had left, he’d managed to wrench the top part free and had thrown it down. I took it with me, not because a broken piece of metal had value, but because it was the one link to my former life. I used to look into it like a mirror, noting how my appearance changed as my face gradually grew thinner and my hair became dirty and matted. Some days I almost thought I’d dreamed my former life of prosperity and would touch this to remind myself that it had been real, that I used to matter…or at least I thought I did. ”

“Did everyone in your life abandon you?” Frost asked, his voice hushed.

“My so-called friends, who were simply the children of my parents’ peers, never had actual regard for me…nor did I for them. We built friendships based on what we could get from each other. There was one family I knew distantly that was not really wealthy enough for our circles but who carried the weight of an old and honored name. The day I was cast out, I passed by their home while stumbling down the street, not knowing where I was going. I heard my name and looked up to see the lady of the house hurrying after me. Though she didn’t have money to spare, she told me she could offer employment as a maid, with a small room to sleep in and regular meals instead of a paycheck.”

“Then why were you living on the streets?” Frost demanded. “Did she renege on the offer?”

I lowered my eyes. “My pride as a gentleman’s daughter caused me to angrily refuse, considering such a position beneath me regardless of the fact that I had nothing. Of course I deeply regretted it later, but even if I’d been willing to humble myself to ask for another chance, the family moved shortly after.”

“So what did you do?” Frost leaned closer, his breaths coming quickly as he listened intently.

“I survived, somehow. I learned to sell little bouquets of flowers during the warm months and matches during the winter. Though I was far from successful, I managed to stay alive for over a year. My pride crumbled as I begged my old friends to buy my wares, yet I possessed no true humility, only festering anger that grew every time I saw someone riding in a fine carriage or strolling along in furs and jewels, reminding me that the only reason I was not in their place was a cruel trick of fate.”

I paused at the memory of my constant resentment, recalling how it had swept through me as I watched my former peers living carefree, spendthrift lifestyles while I was punished in the harshest of ways. While the anger hadn’t filled my belly, I’d clung to it because beneath it lurked the despair I was afraid would overcome me in its place; focusing on how I’d been wronged kept me from sinking into absolute hopelessness.

“I couldn’t bring myself to consider that perhaps I fully deserved my situation. I’d done nothing worthwhile in my life or showed kindness to anyone.” I paused, fighting to hold back the sobs tightening my throat.

Frost enfolded me, wrapping both arms tightly around me in a comforting embrace. “No one deserves to grow up in a loveless home without a single person who cares for them, to be cast out of the only life they know with no warning and no way to sustain themselves, nor should anyone live their entire life without ever experiencing what it is like to love and be loved.”

“Until now. You have shown me what it is like to have someone truly care for me…and to care for him in return.” I drew back and lifted the door knocker to gaze into its mirrored surface. “Every time I have looked into this, I have compared my reflection to who I was. Now I understand that who I was is not a person to admire or who I want to be. I know how little I deserve any form of love, but if I had the chance to try again, I’d like to become someone who saw others rather than simply her own ambition.”

Frost gently took the door knocker and gripped both my hands in his. “You were given the worst possible chance at life, and yet you have decided to care about others rather than spending your days fighting fate. You are absolutely worthy of love.” He looked like he wanted to say more before his expression smoothed and he continued. “No matter what you’ve done, you deserve to be deeply loved. It’s been my greatest gift to come to know you and discover your beautiful heart.” He pulled me close, tucking the edge of his cloak around me.

Night began to settle around us, casting the ice garden in a new kind of beauty bathed in the cool light of dusk. Frost eventually released me and reached into his cloak, pulling out a tiny ice flute, its surface shimmering like starlight in the darkening sky. He lifted it to his lips and began to play.

The haunting melody was soft, carried on the wind like a secret. Part of my mind registered that the music was attuned to a frequency beyond my hearing. I could somehow feel the gentle, whispered song of the snowflakes responding to each note, as if my soul, now entwined with this wintry realm, could understand the language of the elements themselves.

A sudden shimmer lit the sky and I looked up with a gasp to see a ray of brilliant green, seemingly called to life by the flute. Frost’s music wove through the aurora like a thread, binding the moment in enchantment. In rhythm with the melody, the sky above us shifted as more swaths of color joined the first to dance across the dark canvas—vibrant and alive, the aurora spread across the heavens, its colors shimmering in a mesmerizing display that reflected off the ice, casting an ethereal glow over the frosty garden. The enchanted sight stole my breath, a magical interplay of light and shadow that made winter’s beauty feel almost otherworldly.

Long after the final note faded we remained side by side, our shoulders brushing as we watched the aurora’s light continue to dance across the ice, casting everything in a soft, ethereal glow. The beauty of it left me breathless, but it was the quiet connection between us that made the moment unforgettable. Without thinking, my hand found his again, our fingers intertwining naturally, as if they had always belonged together.

Once again, I found myself immersed in a moment I wished could last forever. I had never thought much about the future—whether it had been during my life of privilege when my path seemed predetermined, or on the streets where every day was a constant fight for survival. But ever since meeting Frost, I had begun to hope in the possibility of something more.

I glanced at him standing beside me, his head tilted back to watch the aurora dancing above us, the colors reflected in his eyes. “Have you ever thought about what might exist beyond your role as the Keeper of Winter, or are there any dreams or wishes you’ve imagined for yourself?”

He blinked, clearly taken aback by the question. “I’ve never thought about it.” Deep in thought, his gaze shifted to the light caressing the patch of ice blossoms growing alongside the path. “I’ve lived for so long with only a single purpose—to maintain the balance of the seasons to keep the world in order. It’s all I’ve ever known; I’ve never allowed myself to think beyond that.”

“What about now? If you could wish for anything without the weight of your duties holding you back, what would it be?” I already knew what I most longed for if the tomorrow that might never come was more certain—the very thing I had now held in my hand. My grip lacing through his tightened.

Vulnerability flickered in his eyes, as if my question had stirred something deep within him. When he finally spoke, his words emerged quietly, almost uncertain. “I wish…I could know what it feels like to truly live. To experience warmth, not just as a fleeting sensation but as something constant. To laugh, to love, to share my life with someone who sees me for more than what I can do with my magic. I wi sh for a life where I’m not defined by the cold, where I can be something more .”

His words tugged at my heart. I squeezed his hand gently in reassurance. “Unlike me, you have forever stretching ahead of you.”

His gaze sought mine, full of a longing too deep for words. “I would give anything to transfer to you a portion of my time in order to share the remainder of my existence with you. What about you, what is your wish?”

I didn’t even need to ponder his earnest question. “I’ve spent so much time running from my past and regrets that I never considered about who I wanted to be. But now standing here with you, there’s no doubt that the future I want is one where I’m not just surviving. Without my noticing, my greatest desire shifted from finding a way to reverse the destined death fate has awaiting me…to simply being with you.”

“You are all I want too and more,” he murmured, his voice filled with quiet intensity. “I want to build a life with you, to experience the world through your eyes and discover the beauty in the seasons beyond winter. I want to be not only the Keeper of Winter, but the keeper of your heart—I want to live, with you by my side.”

Tears pricked my eyes as I smiled, a mixture of joy and longing. “Is such a future possible with your claim on my soul?”

He lifted his hand, gently brushing away a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen, his cool touch tender and soothing. “Whatever the future holds, I’ll find a way, no matter what it takes. You deserve to not only live, but to do so with joy.”

Leaning into his touch, I let hope and determination fill my heart. “You deserve that as well. I will be happy as long as we’re together. ”

He leaned in so close our foreheads nearly touched, his voice a whisper of resolve. “Together, Blanche.”

The warmth of our connection enveloped us as he pulled me into his arms. We stood there beneath the sky’s dance of fuchsia and teal, its light reflecting our shared hopes and dreams in the vibrant colors above. The aurora’s glow softened the usual stoicism on his face, revealing the man beneath the title of Keeper of Winter. The beauty of the intimate moment and the promise of a future we both desired filled the spaces between us, as though everything we had shared since meeting had been leading to this moment.

As the unspoken emotions swirled in the air, time seemed to slow, the space around us narrowing until the world outside ceased to exist. The aurora’s shimmering cast a soft glow across his dear face, illuminating the vulnerability and longing in his eyes—a reflection of my own unspoken feelings. We stood so close that I could feel the faint chill of his breath mingling with the warmth of mine, creating a delicate balance just like the one we shared.

Without conscious thought we leaned closer, as if drawn by an invisible force, our hearts pounding in unison of quiet anticipation. When our lips finally met, it was like two worlds colliding—his cool touch against my warmth, a tender melding of contrasts that somehow fit perfectly. The kiss was soft at first, hesitant, as if we were both savoring the newfound intimacy, the quiet realization that we had crossed a threshold from which there was no return.

Gradually, the kiss deepened, filled with the harbored emotions we had both been holding back. There was sweetness in it, a promise of the life we both longed for—a future where we could be vulnerable, strong, and free together.

Frost’s hand gently cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing against my skin with such tenderness that it made my heart ache. My fingers threaded through his hair, the strands cool beneath my touch that contrasted with the tender warmth spreading through me.

The world around us seemed to fade into a blur, leaving only the two of us. The distant sounds of the ice garden—the soft tinkling of frozen streams, the gentle fluttering of ice butterflies—became a quiet symphony that played just for us. The aurora above danced in rhythm with our heartbeat, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the ice, wrapping us in a cocoon of light and shadow. No matter what the future held, this moment would stay with me forever.

When we finally pulled away, breathless and dazed, I kept my forehead resting against his, our eyes still closed as we lingered in the afterglow of the kiss. Neither of us spoke, as if words would shatter the fragile spell that had woven itself around us.

We remained intertwined, hearts open and exposed, sharing a moment that would forever be etched in the very essence of who we were becoming together. As if to symbolize what had happened, I looked down at our clasped hands to see a tendril of frost encircling our hold, a springlike vine that wound around the two of us, as if to bind us together.

In that quiet aftermath as the aurora’s dancing light slowly faded into the night, I knew that our kiss had been more than just a culmination of our bond—it was a quiet vow, the promise of a new beginning, and the first step towards a future we both secretly hoped for where we could be free to live and love…not as the Keeper of Winter and a wandering soul, but simply as Frost and Blanche.