Page 9 of The Enchanted Frost (The Christmas Chronicles)

CHAPTER 9

Frost

I couldn’t look away from Blanche, mesmerized by the way her fingers caressed the glass and the awe that lit her soft grey eyes at the frosted design she’d created. My skin still tingled from where I’d touched her, long after I’d pulled away.

At first, I thought it was just a reaction to our differing body temperatures, but I hadn’t responded this way to the warmth of the fireplace—that heat had blistered my skin, whereas this sensation seemed to reach inside me, curling itself around my heart that I had believed only cared about my powers to create winter.

What was happening?

I was afraid to analyze the foreign emotions surging through me, or to investigate the reason I’d found unexpected joy not just in touching her—a mere human—but in sharing my world with her. With every weave of my magic in the designs we’d created, I felt an invisible connection binding us closer, leaving me changed .

What had I been thinking, sharing a portion of my powers with her?

I could have stared at the frost patterns we’d created for a good portion of my eternity…but then the delicate lacework shimmered as tiny beads of condensation formed on the glass, causing the once clear ice crystals to begin to soften around the edges. I leaned forward in surprise, stretching a finger out and drawing it back to stare at the droplets now clinging to it.

The condensation gathered, growing into larger droplets that trickled down the glass in meandering paths, disrupting the frosty designs. Each droplet moved slowly at first—as if reluctant to erase the beautiful patterns etched by the cold—but gradually the once icy canvas melted away, revealing the snowy landscape tinged with the soft hues of settling dusk.

Blanche heaved a disheartened sigh. “That was as fleeting as my life has become. If only beauty could last forever.”

I couldn’t answer as apprehension descended over me like a shadow blocking out the sun. While sunlight always eventually erased my frosted designs in the villages, they should have been immortal in my winter kingdom like every other image I’d created over the eons. Had the design melted away because it was created by a human, or had something gone wrong with the magic itself? Whatever the cause, it served as an unwelcome reminder that cold and warmth couldn’t coexist—a void created by our separate worlds that would forever keep us apart.

“What is it?” Her soft voice beckoned my worried concentration away from the window towards her inquisitive expression, her forehead knit with concern.

“It’s nothing.” I flexed my hand in an effort to dispel the lingering shadow of her touch. She already had enough weighing upon her soul for me to burden her with my concerns. And yet I yearned to share them with her, a strange whim I’d never before experienced throughout my entire eternity.

Her fingertip caught a wayward drop as the last trace of her design faded, her look wistful as she stared at it. “I wish I could see more of your magic, to understand winter’s beauty the way you do.”

An indescribable feeling washed over me at her words, the bright interest in her eyes stoking my desire to share my magic with her instead of keeping the beauty of my creations to myself. A spark of hope kindled within me, longing to see her joy as she discovered something I cherished through her own eyes.

Yet as quickly as the eagerness came, uncertainty crept in its wake. Opening up more of myself to a mortal seemed dangerous, especially when their lives were so fleeting—and Blanche’s was rapidly nearing its end, as indicated by the enchanted hourglass in my peripheral vision. I had no need to involve myself beyond what was necessary to claim her soul, completing my duty to her and my kingdom.

But when her clear gaze met mine, all rational thought vanished. Against all sense, I wanted to spend time with her, to do everything in my power to make her last moments memorable.

“Let me show you winter through my eyes.” I extended my hand, and after a brief hesitation, she placed hers in mine. Slowly, I intertwined my fingers with hers, and together we stepped outside.

The cold air embraced us as we descended the castle steps; I felt her instinctively draw closer to me, pulling my cloak more tightly around herself. Delicate snowflakes drifted lazily from the overcast sky and each breath formed a misty puff in the settling night. Moonlight cast a silvery glow over the landscape, making the snow shimmer like a jeweled sea. A gasp of awe escaped Blanche’s lips, her eyes brightening as she took in the winter splendor.

Our footsteps crunched softly in the untouched snow as I led her away from the castle. The world was hushed and serene, as if holding its breath in reverence for the moment. When we neared a snow-dusted clearing, I reluctantly released her hand, lingering on the warmth of her touch for just a moment longer before letting go.

“What are you going to create?” she asked.

I smiled. “You’ll see.”

I put a short distance between us until I stood at the edge of the icy expanse. Her eyes widened with anticipation as I lifted my hands to the sky. A whisper of frost began to form beneath my touch as my power immediately responded to the unspoken command, rippling through the air and sending a chill sweeping across the land as my magic took hold.

The first flurries of snow appeared, delicate and almost hesitant, as if testing the air before drifting lazily from the overcast sky, each flake a tiny piece of my enchantment that transformed the landscape into a vast, white canvas. The wind picked up, swirling the falling snow into gentle flurries that danced around us, as if the world itself was participating in my magic, every gust of wind and flake of snow perfectly timed to my silent commands.

I couldn’t resist stealing a glance at Blanche watching nearby. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she instinctively reached out to catch a snowflake on her fingertip, lifting it to eye level to marvel at its intricate design before it melted away.

Her delight spurred me on. I moved with purpose, my steps leaving frosty imprints on the ground. With a graceful, sweeping motion, I intensified my magic. The surrounding air shimmered with the raw energy of winter as the snowfall grew heavier. I once more looked at Blanche to see her slowly twirling, arms outstretched as the wintry gusts lifted her hair and showered her with delicate flakes. My heart lifted to see the joy on her face, absent of its usual concern or guilt.

All at once the calm atmosphere shifted. The change in the air was subtle at first, as if something had blocked my power. The sky swiftly darkened as thick clouds gathered overhead. The snowflakes grew more numerous, swirling around me in a chaotic dance, and the wind picked up, whistling through the trees and carrying the snow with increasing force. Blanche paused, grasping at her cloak that whipped away from her body in the gale and lifting an arm to shield her face from the blustery snow.

My heart pounded, each beat echoing through the emptiness where my power should have been. Beads of sweat formed on my brow as I concentrated, but the energy that normally flowed effortlessly sputtered and waned. I felt a fleeting flicker of my magic respond, only for it to extinguish as quickly as it had come. The faint glow at my fingertips flickered weakly like a dying ember before going out. Dimly I saw Blanche take a staggering step, trying to keep her balance in the wind as I frantically tried to reignite my magic.

With the loss of my careful control, the snowfall intensified. The flakes grew larger and more numerous, swirling thickly as the storm gathered strength. The wind howled through the trees, carrying the snow in frenzied gusts that stung my exposed skin like tiny shards of ice.

For a moment, I could only stare in disbelief, barely registering my surprise that the snow could affect its creator in such an unprecedented way before my mind shifted focus. Blanche .

I searched for her form, but the blizzard whirled in a relentless torrent, creating blinding curtains of white that obscured everything in its path. Desperation crept in as I tried to draw on the elemental forces around me, seeking to stabilize my power, but it slipped from my grasp, unresponsive and elusive.

I released the fragile hold on my magic and rushed forward, blindly pushing through the swirling blur of white and grey in the direction where I’d last seen Blanche. I’d barely taken a few frantic steps when I suddenly collided with her. Instinctively, I caught hold of her before she could fall. She felt so small and fragile within the cradle of my arms, stoking my urgency to find shelter.

Though my castle was nearby, it wasn’t close enough to trust Blanche’s fragile mortality to the harsh elements, not when a nearby cavern was much closer.

There was no time to dwell on the perplexing mystery of why my powers were faltering, not with the storm raging around us. While the cold and snow had no effect on me, they were deadly to a human, especially someone teetering on the brink of life after having so recently frozen to death.

She lifted her eyes to mine, wide with fear. Her lips were turning blue, but she managed to open them enough to whisper. “Is this…the end?”

I could scarcely make out her words over the howling wind, but my heart contracted, imagining the terror she must feel as she thought winter had come to finish its work upon her.

“No!” I wrapped my arms around her as though to defy the storm buffeting us. One urgent thought cut through, far louder than my concern for her welfare: I didn’t want her to die . That was my most pressing need in this moment, no matter how short a time she had left to live. For as many souls as I’d claimed after they’d frozen to death, I had no idea how close she currently was to once more succumbing to that fate, especially with the snowstorm obscuring the mystical hourglass whose haunting presence measured her remaining time.

“Are you alright?” The wind drowned my voice, but it carried just far enough to reach her ears. My panic escalated at her unresponsive silence.

The storm raged around us, a furious blend of wind and snow that rendered our path nearly indiscernible in the blinding whiteout. The cold was piercing, each gust of wind penetrating our layers of clothing with icy precision.

Is this what it feels like to freeze?

With every struggling step, I sensed Blanche’s shivers growing more intense. I paused long enough to pull her close, encircling her in a protective barrier against the storm's relentless fury. Her body trembled violently, chilled to the bone despite the thick cloak she wore. The fatigue and cold etched on her face when I could glimpse it through the intensifying blizzard deepened my concern.

“Hold on,” I murmured, my voice barely audible over the howling gale. I adjusted my position, turning my back to the wind so that my body shielded hers from the brunt of the icy blasts.

We moved slowly, my movements steady and sure as I guided her haltering steps forward. I kept my arm wrapped around her shoulders, holding her close, while my other hand gripped hers tightly. I didn’t remember the exact moment I’d reached for her hand, but nothing would compel me to let go.

Several minutes of achingly slow progress later, Blanche tripped and sank to her knees. She made a feeble effort to stand before collapsing, her eyes closed. Frantically I lifted her to her feet, but she was too weak to keep her footing in the violent wind. I scooped her into my arms, reminded of how I’d first brought her to this realm, and hoped I wasn’t currently carrying her to her death.

After what felt like the longest moment in my eternity, a dark shape loomed ahead, a shadow amidst the endless sea of white. As we drew closer the outline sharpened, revealing a cavern embedded into the mountainside—a promise of shelter from the storm.

The entrance was partially obscured by drifts of snow. I pushed forward through the thick blizzard, the icy wind at my back urging me onward until I finally stepped inside. As we crossed the threshold, the howling wind was suddenly muffled, and the relentless assault of snow and ice came to an abrupt halt.

Relief flooded through me, followed by the startling realization that for the first time I had experienced the human fear brought by the forces of nature. While I hadn’t been afraid for my own life, the loss of control and feeling weaker than the storm had been a sensation I hoped I’d never feel again…along with the sharper, more agonizing fear that Blanche might not survive the ordeal.

Inside, the air was warmer—a comforting sensation I’d never before encountered. The rough, jagged walls rose around us, glistening with moisture. Icicles and stalactites adorned the ceiling, catching the faint light that filtered in from the entrance. The uneven ground was a mix of stone and patches of ice, yet solid and reassuring beneath our feet.

As I ventured deeper still holding Blanche tightly in my arms, the cavern opened into a larger chamber. The walls were covered in frost, glittering like a myriad of tiny stars in the dim light. I could hear the soft fall of water from ice that under normal circumstances shouldn’t be melting, the sound echoing ominously through the space. A sense of tranquility settled around us, a stark and soothing contrast to the storm outside .

Further exploration revealed a sheltered nook, a natural alcove in the rock where we could rest. Carefully setting Blanche on her unsteady feet, I guided her to a relatively dry patch and gently helped her down into a sitting position, assisting her in leaning against the cool rock. As she settled, the tension visibly drained from her body, although it still shook uncontrollably from the chill. I anxiously examined her, noting her flushed cheeks—a painful reminder of just how vulnerable humans were to the cold.

I briskly rubbed her arms in an effort to generate friction and warmth, hoping that my icy skin wouldn’t deepen her shrouding chill. Each touch escalated the conflict raging within me—I could feel the subtle drain on my magic, like the slow trickle of sand through an hourglass. A part of me feared that by helping her, I was weakening the very essence that had sustained me for eons. Yet despite that worry, I couldn’t stop, driven by a fierce, protective instinct I couldn’t fully explain that compelled me to do all within my power to shield her from the storm.

I knelt before her, moving my attention to rubbing her hands between mine to restore warmth, my eyes never leaving her face. The sensation of her skin against mine, warm and fragile, sent a pang of anxiety through me, making me fear I was risking too much. Only the unbearable thought of her suffering allowed me to continue, despite the danger to my power.

She looked up at me, gratitude shining in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

The warmth of her words reached deep into my core, momentarily silencing the fears gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. Though every touch seemed to chip away at my magic, the look in her eyes made it feel worth the sacrifice.

Despite my attention she continued to shiver. Unsure what else to do, I wrapped my damp cloak around her shoulders, tucking the edges in snugly before settling beside her, my arm around her once more. At first she sat stiffly, her rigid posture leaning away from me, as if afraid to get too close.

“Lean on me,” I urged, my voice gentle but firm. Without a means to light a fire, huddling for warmth was the best I could offer her. When she remained still, I tightened my embrace encouragingly.

After a moment’s hesitation, her need for warmth overcame the reluctance holding her back. She nestled into my chest, burying her face in the crook of my neck, seeking the warmth and reassurance that my presence offered even if my skin was cool.

She remained uncannily still for so long that I found myself leaning closer repeatedly to ensure I could see the rise and fall of her chest in the dim light. Eventually, she stirred, her cold fingers fumbling as she reached into her pocket and withdrew one of her few remaining matches.

“Please—” It was all she managed before the cold snatched the rest of her earnest plea.

I seized the match, disregarding any potential consequences of lighting a fire or its effects on my magic. Quickly, I gathered some dead leaves and brittle branches scattered near the entrance and in the corners by the rocks. Whether it was my urgency, familiarity with Blanche’s previous attempts to light a fire, or the peculiar weakening of my magic that allowed it, I managed to ignite the match on the first try. It crackled softly in the cold stillness, its amber glow spreading comforting rays across the cavern.

With the fire lit, I feared she might pull away from my touch as I wrapped her in the security of my embrace—a position I was slowly coming to cherish. Instead, she scooted closer. Though my cold body offered limited warmth, the fire gradually eased her shivers, warming her enough to eventually speak.

“When I asked to see your magic, I never expected to experience a storm like this; it seems it’s my fate to freeze after all.” The words were barely discernible through the chatter of her teeth.

I wanted to explain that the storm had slipped beyond my usual control and taken on a life of its own, but even after her imminent danger had passed now that we’d found shelter, my mind remained numb with shock, leaving me at a loss for how to solve this unexpected puzzle.

Silence enveloped us as we watched the storm rage, the only sounds the pounding of our hearts and the deafening rush of wind outside, its icy breath thwarted by the protective cavern walls. The small fire cast a flickering light, casting dancing shadows across the rough, uneven walls and forming a cocoon of warmth in the cold darkness.

I held Blanche close, my arms wrapped securely around her, my body a shield against the chill. At first, the heat of her body pressed against mine brought an unexpected discomfort, the warmth foreign to my frozen essence. But as I felt her shiver, that discomfort quickly gave way to a stronger desire to protect her. Each moment of contact further threatened my powers, yet I couldn't bring myself to let go.

She nestled into my chest, clutching the fabric of my cloak, her face pressed against my shoulder. Our breaths mingled, forming small clouds of condensation that quickly vanished in the cold air. Despite the weakening of my magic with each touch, I found myself gently rubbing her back, my hands moving in slow, soothing circles.

I could feel her steady pulse, a comforting rhythm that calmed my own. Her hair brushed against my chin and I buried my face against its softness, feeling a strange sense of peace. Among all my experiences throughout my expanse of forever, this moment was already the most precious—the puzzling reason for why almost as perplexing as the mystery of why my powers had left my control to create the storm.

As the fire crackled softly, its warm glow flickering across the cave, I watched Blanche slowly drift to sleep. Her breaths grew steady and deep, her chest rising and falling in a gentle rhythm. Her eyelashes briefly fluttered before resting softly on her cheeks, a peaceful expression smoothing away her worries.

The firelight highlighted the delicate curve of her lips and the soft lines of her face. I marveled at her quiet beauty, feeling a swell of gratitude that she was here with me, safe and warm. The harsh storm outside seemed worlds away, unable to intrude on this moment. I hesitated only briefly before I couldn’t resist reaching for her hand, intertwining my fingers with hers.

Rather than pulling away, her hold curled around mine, causing my breath to hitch in surprise. This simple gesture ignited a deep, hidden part of me that until this moment I hadn't known existed. Instead of allowing this memory to blend with the others comprising my eternity, I tucked it away in its own special section of my heart, along with the other beautiful moments I’d experienced over the past couple of days.

As she slept in my arms, Blanche’s soft, rhythmic breathing drowned out the song of the storm that had once been my favorite sound. Her breaths provided a comforting assurance that for the moment she was still alive…even though each inhale and exhale meant one less breath left in her allotted time.

It took every ounce of discipline to shift my focus from her peaceful slumber to the troubling issue that something had gone terribly wrong with my magic. The thought of losing the power that not only brought me my greatest joy but also defined my very existence was unbearable. Without winter or my powers, I was nothing. Yet, amidst this crisis, I felt as if I was discovering something far more significant than anything I’d learned across the vast expanse of eternity.

As if to stoke this unrecognizable emotion gradually growing within, Blanche leaned further into me with a sleepy sigh that seemed to reach deep inside to curl around my heart. Our proximity made me acutely aware of every shiver that rippled over her and allowed me to monitor each visible breath that formed small clouds in the frigid air. Each of her shivers sent an unexpected pang through my heart, an unwanted reminder of how despite my secret wish, we were worlds apart.

I was growing far closer to her than was wise for someone whose lifespan was but a fleeting moment in my eternal existence. Yet, this attachment seemed to be developing beyond my control, much like my faltering powers that had created such a violent storm.

The undeniable truth remained: I had never desired to keep anyone alive as much as I wanted to protect her—the very woman whose death sentence it was my duty to fulfill. Was a fleeting love worth the cost of potentially losing my magic forever?