Betrothed to Jack Frost (REWRITTEN)

6)The North Pole

Elle slowly stirred, blinking her eyes open wearily. She snuggled deeper into the large white pillow, savoring the warmth and comfort. It had been ages since she had enjoyed such a restful sleep, and she was determined to make the most of it.

But suddenly, her eyes snapped wide open. Panic surged through her as she remembered she had forgotten to set her alarm. She had a 6 AM wake-up call today for work that started at 7! In a rush, Elle scrambled out of bed but stumbled over her own feet, crashing to the floor. She hadn't realized there were three steps descending from the bed. Confused and disoriented, Elle took a moment to gather her bearings.

As she looked around, it became clear that this was not her bedroom. This was not her mint-green bedspread but a dazzling white one draped over a grand four-poster canopy bed. The long pillows were either light gray or sparkling white, not the mint-green and purple ones she was used to. The room was more magnificent than anything she had ever seen in a Pier 1 catalog.

The walls were a crisp white, and the bed's design seemed inspired by ice. The bedposts sparkled like diamonds, and the rest of the room—from the dressers to the large desk—featured the same stunning material. A grand chandelier, made of what looked like pure ice, hung from the ceiling, its crystals glinting in the light. Elle took deep breaths, her mind slowly piecing together the events from the night before. The strange boy with the snow globe, the icy man who had tried to kill her, Aiden conjuring fire from his hand—it all came flooding back in a disorienting rush. The sense of calm she had felt moments before quickly dissolved, replaced by a jolt of fear and confusion.

As she surveyed the room, it became clear she was in a winter wonderland-themed bedroom. Even the floors appeared to be made of a strange, white granite that felt icy beneath her feet.

As Elle cautiously made her way towards the door, she discovered the room opened into a spacious living area. The decor was immaculate: an all-white couch, two matching white chairs, and a sleek silver flat-screen TV dominated the space. The television was so large it dwarfed Lucy's fifty-inch screen, making it look small by comparison.

The walls were adorned with stunning paintings of snow-covered trees, their branches stretching up to the fifteen-foot ceilings. The artwork was so vivid and realistic that it almost seemed as though the trees were alive, rather than mere paintings. In any other situation, Elle might have taken the time to admire their beauty, but panic was setting in, leaving little room for appreciation.

"Hello," a feminine voice chimed softly, her laughter light and musical.

Elle jumped, spinning around to find the source of the voice. Across the room, a young woman sat gracefully on the edge of the large couch, a book resting in her hands. Elle had been so absorbed in her examination of the room that she hadn't noticed her presence until now. "Where am I? Who are you?" Elle demanded, her voice tinged with suspicion and alarm.

The young woman stood up, revealing herself to be extraordinarily beautiful, seemingly in her early twenties. Her skin was an ethereal shade of pale, accentuated by her snow-white hair. Her green eyes were striking, enhanced by delicate blue and green eyeshadow. But it was her dress that left Elle speechless. The silver gown, studded with diamonds and featuring a sweetheart neckline, clung to her figure and trailed elegantly behind her. The dress highlighted her wintery features, making her look like a living embodiment of ice and snow. "My name is Khione, child," the woman said with a warm smile. "Introductions are not necessary for you. I already know your name, Evangeline." Khione's smile widened. "You are a much-discussed topic in our kingdom."

Elle shrugged lightly, feeling a surge of frustration at the casual dismissal of her concerns. "Where am I?" she finally squeaked out, her voice tinged with anxiety.