WMMAP - [S2] Shelter You

66: Frozen Fate

When Athanasia heard a gentle thudding sound behind her, she changed from what had begun as a hard stomping pace to a normal one.

Curious, Athanasia looked around. A figure sprinted before her. Her hand was seized by a larger one. The heat of the palm covering her tiny knuckles made it feel warm against the bitter cold.

After a brief pause, the person invited her to resume walking by lightly squeezing her hand and then tying their fingers together with a slight tug.

The hand, forearm, shoulder, and face were all examined by Athanasia's gaze.

The signature smug appeared. She blushed uncontrollably at the slight curve of his lips.

Or rather, she was so enchanted by the man in front of her that, despite how often she saw him, she would never grow accustomed to his good looks.

"Why did you stop walking?" Lucas asked. They were still a few paces apart. "Do you want me to carry you there?"

Athanasia's face flushed, and she scowled and turned away. "I have legs," she muttered under her breath.

"Then use them."

Athanasia gritted her teeth and snapped her eyes back at him.

"To kick you, that is."

"Try it," Lucas said with a slight lift of his brow. "If you can land a kick on me, we will go to a book fair of your choice once we get home."

"I can make an online purchase."

"Oh, you sure can. But I heard there are foods and many desserts at the fair. So—"

Lucas could feel Athanasia's tense movement from the first fiber of her muscle as she attempted to knock him down with a quick sweep.

Lucas jumped away, letting go of the hand he was holding, and deftly avoided the kick. After giving her a backward flick of his hair, he gave her a derisive laugh.

"You used to be so fast."

"It's not fair! You're training every day again!"

"That's what you get for working too much at the office. Plus, you tried to take advantage of the situation with a sneak attack and you want fairness?"

"THEN BE A MAN AND TAKE THE PUNCH!"

"I'm not just any man though."

With a sly smile, he reached into his pocket. Lucas provocationally flicked his forefinger, turning his palm up with his free hand.

"Come claim your prize, Your Highness."

Athanasia clenched her fist and lunged forward, grunting, toward his abdomen.

Lucas watched Athanasia run closer, but he remained where he was. At the approaching distance, his entire stance eased, which only strengthened Athanasia's resolve.

"You two...! Now is not the time to play...! We should get going...!"

Athanasia was too enraged by Lucas' provocation to stop when she heard Jennette's voice behind her.

Unbeknownst to her, however, beneath the mound of snow was a tree root, and she stumbled on it with a less than elegant body swing.

Athanasia sensed a pull on her clothing, particularly on the collar's back. Because she was small, she fumbled off the jacket, but as has happened many times before, a hand grabbed her and braced her stomach to prevent her from falling any farther.

She was then carried to the sled while clinging to Lucas' shirt after being raised in a bridal fashion.

A laugh sounded above Athanasia's head.