Frozen Echoes: The Last HallowFrost

Chapter 9: Growing Closer

She faintly remembered her breakdown during the storm, of her collapsing into Eis' arms as she sobbed and wailed, the memories having come flooding back to her like a raging tsunami crashing onto the shore.

She remembered what he had thought to her, the words came flying back as a faint tendril of affection crept around her heart: 'I'll make sure you never feel this way ever again, I promise you.'

And as CryoFangs opened her eyes, she sighed lightly as she awoke to the feeling of mud squishing between her scales, grass tickling her nostrils, and a familiar dragon sleeping next to her. Even in the dim, early-morning light, she recognized that dragon anywhere.

Oh my... she felt her face burn like fire as her eyes landed on Eis, who was sleeping soundly a bit away from her, but his mud-streaked white tail was loosely latched around hers, she slowly slipped free and got to her feet.

CryoFangs examined herself in a nearby puddle, her arms and torso were streaked with mud, her twinkling, tired blue eyes were slightly bloodshot with minuscule purple veins showing in the whites of her eyes.

I'm looking like a monstrosity over here, and freakin' Prince Eis over there is looking flashy even with the bit of mud on him... she thought to herself with an envious glance, a soft blush rising to her cheeks as she sighed, looking herself over again. Her coin pouch was missing, to her disappointment, and her scabbard was splattered with dirty water, she rolled her eyes.

Why does the mud have to be so... dirty? She wondered, shaking her head as she looked back over at a sleeping Prince Eis, thinking she ought to wake him as the sun began to rise, she stepped towards him and lightly nudged him.

"Hey, Eis," she whispered, "up you get, Your Majesty."

The prince shifted and sighed lightly, his captivating violet eyes opened slowly as he awoke. CryoFangs watched as Eis stretched and purred softly, she couldn't help but feel a burst of churning emotions explode in her stomach at the noise, her face darkened slightly.

His purring is... adorable. She thought, Eis sat up and rubbed his eyes as his tongue flicked over his dry lips, and even in the growing light she could see his pupils dilate just a little bit as he gazed up at her.

"I thought I explained to you that I didn't want to be called that," he mumbled whilst stifling a yawn. His morning voice was oddly husky, causing Cryo's talons to shake slightly with the emotions waging war inside her.

"Maybe it's payback, yeah?" She wondered with a teasing smirk, he frowned. "For what?"

"Calling me Snowflake."

"You don't like it that much?"

"Duh, no I don't!" She stuck out her tongue and he chuckled, slowly a smirk spread across his face.

He drew closer to her as he got to his feet, that playful glint in his eyes as he huffed and stared down at her, "I think someone's lying," he chuckled in an airy tone, and as she stared up at him her heart only tried to pound a bit faster. Deep down, CryoFangs actually liked the name, but she wasn't going to let him get that satisfaction so easily. As she stared up at the prince, she couldn't help but realize she was taking a liking to his height, the fact that he stood a foot taller than her made her feel odd within.

I've got a weird feeling that I enjoy him towering over me, she thought, and immediately felt the embarrassment try to bombard her.

She frowned and gave him a deadpan expression to fight off the blush threatening to curse her face again. He blinked and backed up, faking a wounded look as he dramatically placed his talon over his heart, "goodness me, I never realized how horribly I've offended you, milady CryoFangs!" He giggled with a toothy grin.