Page 8 of Fire & Ice

He stepped closer to me, his fingertips lightly brushing my face. "I've never felt anything like this before," he said, his eyes locked on mine as his voice swirled around me in a low growl. "We're connected, and I know you don't quite understand this being a new halfling—but I knew there was something different about you and the moon goddess has confirmed it with this bond, these feelings."

My cheeks flushed with heat, and a warmth crept into my chest at his words. All this night I had been drawn to Beau yet never quite understanding why, but now it seemed that he had felt the same towards me from our first meeting earlier. I know there is still so much I need to learn as a halfling, but this thing here with Beau— the feelings he invokes within me— holds a weight of certainty behind them.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I believe that I have been dreaming of you as well. You did seem oddly familiar and though I had seen your images before, in my dreams you're hidden and so.... un-princely.... so much more."

He stepped closer to me, his hand coming up to caress my cheek. His eyes devoured every inch of me as they traced my body and the features of my face. "I've never felt anything like this before," he said softly. "It's like we're connected in a way that I can't explain."

I couldn't believe that someone could look at me like that. Like I was the most beautiful thing in the world. No one had ever seen me like this before, as if I were something divine rather than ordinary. And yet here he was, gazing into my eyes and holding my hand in his as if I were indeed a dream come true. A chill raced across my skin as my heart fluttered from his touch. I couldn't lie to myself as our eyes locked in a tango of desire. We stood there for what seemed like eternity, our eyes speaking volumes.

I trembled as Beau wrapped his arms around me, pulling me flush to his chest. Leaning down a black curl fell over his brow, and my fingers itched to smooth it back. My eyes traced his handsome features as his face descended to meet mine and my lips parted in anticipation as his lips, soft and cool, brushed against mine, the electricity of our kiss sending a jolt through me. Eyes closing with a whimpering moan, I melted into his embrace as he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring my mouth with a hunger that I'd never felt before. This was better than the dreams we had shared; this was real, and he was here. His lips were soft and inviting, but firm in their intensity.

Heat pooled in my belly, warmth radiating out from where Beau touched me. One hand rested on my lower back, sending chills up and down my spine as the other lifted my chin to meet him kiss for kiss. I couldn't get enough of him—his taste, his touch, his heat. We broke apart, panting for breath as we stared into each other’s eyes. A smile spread across my face as I looked up at Beau.

"Come," he said, his voice low and husky as he pulled me into a slow dance.

My heart raced from the thrill of it all, and I pulled him even closer towards me, so close that I could feel his heartbeat against my cheek. My body was on fire with desire for this incredible man before me. The sound of music faded away as I struggled to hear my own heartbeat over the rushing blood pulsing through my ears, drowning out all other noises. My skin flushed with heat; my stomach twisted into knots. And suddenly our gifts unlocked, fire and ice merged, creating a steam that pushed out between us. It swirled around the ballroom creating a seductive white haze that clung to us like mist on an early morning field.

Our bodies gravitated even closer towards each other when he wrapped those big, muscled arms around me, pulling my body tight against his until not a single trace of space remained between us. He pulled away to twirl me expertly across the dance floor, and as he spun me out the gravitational pull between us was almost too much to handle. We moved back together like we were magnetized, irresistibly drawn in by the other's power. The heat from my flames mixed perfectly with the coolness of Beau's ice.

The power generated between us spun outwards, twisting in opposite directions—one blue and glowing so bright it was almost white coming off Beau, an icy chill following in its wake; the other red and pulsating out of me, slowly settling into the room, blanketing everything with a warmth that was almost too much to bear before pulling back into our bodies. We had no control, and our dancing became more intense as our passions grew untamed, each step pushing out more power, like crashing waves building upon one another.

Chapter 10

Beau

I could feel her warmth radiating through me as I looked into her eyes. They burned with an intense fire that made my heart race. Without saying a word, I took her hand and led her out of the ballroom and into the gardens. We walked in silence, only interrupted by the crackling of her flames and the crunch of my frost beneath our feet.

Finally, we reached the center of the garden and were alone. I turned to face her, my breath quickening as I felt the power emanating from us both. We stood there, our breath mingling together in one heavy exhale. No longer able to hold back, I leaned in closer to her, inhaling her sweet scent—cinnamon and strawberries with a hint of smoke. As I looked into her eyes, dark and full of desire. The ice in my veins swirled as I traced a frozen line down her neck. I groaned as she gasped, her inner fire melting the frost. Without a second thought, I leaned in and kissed her—a passionate kiss that left us both breathless.

The intensity between us built as our tongues tangled, and something inside of me screamed, “MINE!”

I pulled away to stare at this gift that had been handed to me. She was beautiful. Soft brown skin that glowed with the light of her inner fire, and eyes that sparkled like rubies and black diamonds in the dark. Her hair was a wild mane of curly black tresses tipped in red that fell in waves around her shoulders. But it wasn't just her beauty that drew me to her, it was the power that radiated from her. A force so strong that it threatened to consume me and drive me mad with desire. I wanted her, every single inch of her. She called to me, my gift sought her, and she warmed me, heating the chill I had carried with me for a hundred and twenty-five years.

I pushed her up against a nearby tree, its rough bark scraping against the back of her dress. Her eyes filled with desire as I traced my fingers up her arm, leaving a light trail of frost across the silk and lace, raising goosebumps on her skin. Every part of me was alive and electrified, even more than it ever had been before. I needed to taste her again, I thought, as a growl rumbled through my chest. As if reading my mind, Tempest tilted her head back against the tree. l pushed up against her, swallowing her soft moan with my lips.

This time, the kiss was even more electrifying than before. The intensity of our passion was undeniable, and something inside of me whispered forever...

As our lips parted, I whispered into her ear, "I want you, Tempest."

Her eyes shone with a fierce fire as she pulled me closer to her, her body pressed against mine. "I want you too, Beau," she said in a husky voice. "I've never felt anything like this before."

I could feel her warmth radiating through me again as I held her tight against me. I'd never felt anything like this before either, and I felt at home in her arms. I couldn't deny it any longer. My gift demanded it, and I knew she was the one, my mated. The most precious gift had been laid before me right at my darkest hour.

I pushed closer to her, our bodies flush against each other. I wanted to take her right here against this tree, and I knew she wanted me just as badly. But I also knew it would have to wait. The desire between us was too strong, and the night unfolded before us like a blanket of pure lust.

"I know," I whispered, tracing a finger along her collarbone. "Something about you calls to me too. I can't quite explain it, but I feel like I belong with you."

She pulled away to look at me and smiled before leaning in to kiss me again. This time, she took the lead, her soft lips coaxing a moan from me as she explored my mouth with her tongue. Our gifts swirled around us, mixing, and a warm glow filled the gardens. The power between us built, and I could feel it radiating outwards until it pushed it way into the ballroom. I remembered that I was supposed to be entertaining the guests with my parents, the king and queen, but something deep inside of me couldn't care less.

Her hands were on my shoulders as she pushed me away from her. With a shy smile, she said, "I think the king, queen and your guests are wondering where you've gone."

I laughed and took her hand, leading her back towards the ballroom. I knew as I looked into her eyes that I this was it. Not only had I found my mated, but there was a release of the burden I had been holding. Had I not found Tempest on this Blood Moon, I might have lost the crown.

Just as we reached the head of the stairs, the music stopped. A sudden hush fell upon the crowd, and everyone turned to the entrance. A gasp filled the room as they saw me holding Tempest's hand. I could feel her shiver against me as she heard the whispers that passed through the ballroom.

As I waited for the crowd to quiet down, I turned to look at Tempest and I felt the ice in my veins begin to burn. I saw an intense blush spread across her cheeks as her eyes locked on mine.

Trying to act as regal and collected as possible, I took a deep breath and said, "Tonight, I have been graced with the most beautiful gift, as I have found my other half. I owe my thanks to my guest, my subjects, my brother, the queen, all of whom helped make this night possible. But most of all, I owe my thanks to Tempest, who has brought me more light than I ever thought possible, and whom I will now forever cherish as my bride."

---