Wither

Chapter 8-Winter Secrets

*Ember's POV*

It had been a month since Seto's death. The golden-orange autumn weather, with lazily drifting leaves fluttering to the ground and bushels of food bulging with treats had faded to bland white, hypothermia-level snowstorms. At
least that's what I thought of it. Poof was outside constantly, wearing her normal billowy blue dress-short sleeves!-and twirling as the snow fell. Sora was outside with her, her usually stony, calculating face alight with joy. They were playing in the snow, throwing white balls at each other and laughing with glee. I decided to go outside. I wrapped myself up in three layers, a parka, snow-pants, and two pairs of fleecy socks. I pulled my boots on and, as a finishing touch, pulled a hat on. I ran outside, the bulky clothing surprisingly flexible, and joined them in the snowball fight.

*Lizzy's POV*

I gazed outside through my open window, my long dirty blonde hair blowing in the sharp wind. The purple tips settled on my lower back as I closed the window, not letting any more chilly air in. I walked outside my tower, scratching my arm that was covered by pearly white gloves. I itched my extravagant lavender gown and knocked on my 'father's' door.

He opened it. His nose was running and he sniffed. "Whaddya want," he said gruffly, his clogged up nose making his voice sound funny.

I stifled a laugh. "I'd like to go outside and play with the other children," I asked.

"Whatever, dear, just leave daddy in peace," he mumbled, stumbling back to his bed. I closed the door and ran off happily. I took off the scratchy purple gown and pulled on warm, fleecy, cashmere clothes. I covered them with a parka and snow-pants and put mittens on, along with a cap. I burst outside and ran into the forest where all the kids were.

"Hiya, guys!" I crowed. My friends whipped around.

"Lizzy! Oh, wow, why'd King Notch let you out?" They asked. I explained that he was sick and let me do whatever I wanted as long as it didn't involve him. We played for a while until we got bored, cold, and a snowstorm started whirling. "Better get inside," one shivered. I nodded, teeth chattering. We raced inside and I took off my wet, cold parka and pants. The dry cashmere warmed me as I walked to the dungeons, where Notch's other kidnapped child was.

(A/N Yeah so Poof was mad about Kailana action-in which there will be more of, sorry-so I needed to make Kailulah action too :3) Elizabeth606 I'm sorry I won't make it too awkward...)

"Kai?" I called, looking through the bars. Kai was in his roomy cell-which wasn't actually a cell. It had carpet, a bed, an office, a mini kitchen, and a bathroom. Kai just preferred the stony gray, dark jail instead of the castle. He glaned up from his book, which he was reading on the marshmallow-white couch.

"Oh, hey Liz," he grinned, swiping his black hair out of his face. Liz felt her face tinge red as he patted the cushion next to him. "What's up?"

She walked over to the couch and sat down. "I dunno. There's just a huge snowstorm coming in and I didn't want to go to the tower..." She trailed off.

"I'm not upset," he smirked. She smiled deviously and tackled him. They laughed for a moment and Lizzy gazed into Kai's black eyes. She heard footsteps and released him, getting to her feet and brushing the stuff off of her shirt. She turned her head and they smiled at each other. The footsteps turned a corner. Kai grinned wolfishly and pinned her to the ground.

"Hold on, aren't we siblings?" She laughed.

"No, my dad's the Squid King and your's is the Ender Dragon," he flicked her nose. She pushed him off of her and brushed herself off, abruptly mortified.

"Thank you for your time," she nodded to him and frowned at her briskness. His frisky smile turned upside down and he waved, clearly hurt. Lizzy trotted to her tower and locked the door behind her.

*Lauren's POV*

I flew around the grounds of Sorcery Academy, watching my secret twin play with snow. I had lied on the roof of the castle about me being an Aether being-sharp thinking! I fluttered to the ground silently and walked up to her.

"Hey, Ember," I blinked and smiled behind her, waving.

"Gah! Oh, Lauren. Where did you come from?" Ember whirled around nervously.

"I stumbled upon Sorcery Academy during my flight. Anyways, I need to talk to you about something. Privately." We walked into the outskirts of the forest. Ember sniffed and said she wouldn't go any further. "First of all, where's Seto? You guys used to be, like, superglued to each other!" I teased, and she blushed.

"He, uh...well, we had an excursion and it kinda went wrong...he's in your homeland now," she bowed her head. It took me a moment to comprehend it, but I realize that he had died and was in the Aether.

"I'-I'm sorry," I stuttered. "I have a few more things to say if you don't mind..." I asked sheepishly. She nodded. "I'd like to enroll in Sorcery Academy!"

Her face brightened. "That's great!! I'll help you when you want to start. What's the other thing?"

I gulped. The hard part. "Ember, the thing is...uh, I-" I stopped and swallowed. Just say it, Lee! "I'm your lost twin sister."