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Lissabelle woke the next morning, wet with melted snow. She was so cold she couldn't move, or at least, that was her guess. Her mind changed when she saw Cal's arm draped around her waist, and felt his warm breaths on the back of her neck.
Lissabelle: Cal...
She whispered softly, nudging him a bit.
Cal: Hm?
He opened his eyes, seeing Lissabelle's face right in front of his.
Cal: Waah!
He quickly rolled over, his arm leaving the girl's body as he did so. He landed on his back, an inch of snow hiding his head.
Cal: I'm sorry....l-last night... you were freezing...I...
Lissabelle: I remember. Don't worry. You kept me warm....
She blushed as a sweet smile brightened her pale face.
Lissabelle: Thank you.
Cal: Well...I mean...I was just...
He smiled and scratched the back of his head as a bead of sweat rolled down his face.
Lissabelle: Well are you going to sit around all day or are we going to make our way over to the lake?
She hopped up and dusted some snow off of her flowery pink dress, smiling brightly. Cal just smiled back and stood up.
Cal: Well what are we waiting for? Let's get going!
He took her by the hand and led her over to their horse, mounted, and took off onto the horizon.

Jessina: Okay, moron. Wake up.
She walked over to Chase, who was lying on the ground facing the other way, and nudged him with her foot.
Chase: I'm awake.
He sat up and rubbed his eyes, which were red with restlessness.
Jessina: Oh my gosh... Did you sleep at all?
Chase: I had a lot on my mind...
He shook his head, trying to erase the terrible deed he had done the night before. It was either the life of his friend and himself, or the capture of her sister... He couldn't stand to see either, but he had to chose...
Jessina: You wanna tell me...?
Chase: No! I mean...no... It's fine...
Jessina: Jeez, just trying to help...
She walked over to the horse and brushed his mane.
Chase: Just... Just ignore it, okay?
Jessina: Whatever...
Lissabelle: Jessina!
Jessina turned her head to see her sister from the back of the white mare, waving from afar as Cal sat in front of her, smiling.
Jessina: LISSY!
As the horse approached, Lissabelle jumped off and went over to hug her sister. In the meantime, Cal dismounted and tied up Intuition next to Chase's black stallion.
Jessina: You're okay!
Lissabelle: Yeah... It's all thanks to Cal... He saved me, twice actually...
Jessina: Twice? How twice?
Lissabelle: Well, first he beat Eric of course... Nearly killed him... And then last night, I was cold...and he...
Before she could finish she moved over to Cal and slapped him across the face.
Jessina: WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER!?!?!?!
Lissabelle: He hugged me to keep me warm--that's it...
She smiled, a bit embarrassed of herself.
Cal: Ow...
He touched the side of his face, where a red mark in the shape of a handprint was beginning to form.
Jessina: Sorry...
Cal: It's fine... Hey, Chase...
He turned over to the other man, who was cleaning up the firewood, not saying a word. He was being a lot more quiet than usual.
Cal: Something wrong?
Chase: Hm... Oh... No, it's nothing.
He turned away, trying to ignore the others.
Cal: Um...alright... Well, you guys ready to head out? Sapphire Lake's just a few hours away!
Even though Lissabelle and Jessina's faces lit up happily, Chase's heart sank at the thought.
Jessina: Yup! Let's get going!
Chase sighed, regret filling his heart as they rode off, closer and closer to their capture.

Cal: Just a bit further...
The path was hard to see, but they kept moving, determined to get to Sapphire Lake tonight.
Lissabelle: I can't wait...
Jessina: It'll be good to see the old lake again... It was pretty...
Lissabelle: Pretty? That's the biggest understatement ever. It's the most beautiful place in the world...
Chase: Yeah...
He sighed, hanging his head as he knew they approached captivity.
Cal: Look...
He pointed behind a few weeping willows, showing Lissabelle the sapphire waters behind.
Lissabelle: Oh my...
Cal steered the horse beyond the trees and closer to the water.
Chase: Maybe we should let them be alone for now...
Jessina: Yeah... We can wait somewhere else.
With that, Chase led the horse through some more trees and along the edge of the lake, in the other direction of where Jessina's twin and Chase's friend had gone. Little did Jessina know that he was leading her away from harm, away from seeing her dear sister become captive once again.

The scene was even more beautiful than Lissabelle could remember. The starlit sky and dancing fireflies reflected upon the beautiful water as if it were a mirror. The weeping willows blew in the calm breeze, whispering softly as the leaves rustled in the wind. Candles along the beach were lit, their flames swaying back and forth as the breeze rushed by. It was a quiet, cool, breeze, completely different from the cold wind they had experienced before. The whole climate was different from the rest of the Northern Kingdom, as if this place was surrounded by magic. Lissabelle knew it was.
Lissabelle: It's....it's magnificent....
Cal: Worth the wait?
Lissabelle: Eleven years... Eleven years I've waited, and now it's even more beautiful than its ever been...
She sniffled, then wiped a tear from her eye.
Lissabelle: And now...now it'll probably be even longer till the next time I see it...
Cal: But... I promised that I'd take you as soon as Aderas gives up...
Lissabelle: I know...but...but I'm afraid that he won't...
Cal walked over to her and embraced her, wrapping his arms around her lower back and resting his head on her shoulder, whispering into her ear as he spoke.
Cal: And no matter how long it takes, I'm never going to let him near you.
He held her closer as he heard her continuing to sob.
Cal: I'll never let anyone hurt you....
Lissabelle: Cal...
The sound of her quiet, innocent voice made his heart skip. He slowly backed up away from her, then took his hand and lifted her chin, bringing her face closer to his and staring deeply into those teary hazel eyes.
Cal: I'll never let anything happen to you, Lissabelle. I love you.
With that, he slowly drew his face closer and kissed her softly on the lips.
Lissabelle: (Cal...)
She was surprised at first, her eyes opened wide, but as he held her there under the bright moonlight, his arms clutching her as if they'd never let go, she felt so safe, so secure, like she'd never be harmed again. She closed her eyes as the kiss began to become passionate. She wrapped her hands around his neck as he held her tightly, rubbing her back gently, calming her...gently...
Slowly he backed away, his eyes bright and sincere as he gazed at hers, still closed as if in a trance. Soon she broke out of her trance and opened her eyes, still shining with tears, but now bright and happy, shining with glee.
Lissabelle: C-Cal... I...
She smiled, tears of joy beginning to flow from her eyes.
Lissabelle: Cal, I lo--
Aderas: Lissabelle....
The couple turned away from the lake, seeing a group of at least twenty soldiers standing behind the western prince, who was--for once--not smiling at the two before him. In fact, he was glaring unpleasently.
Aderas: Such a pleasure to see you again, my dear.

-PREVIEW!-
Mikona: Puu! I'm here to help Starlite give a preview for her next chapter!
What's this? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! NO! NO NO NO NO NO! ADERAS IS THERE TO TAKE AWAY LISSABELLE! AND BOY, HE DOESN'T LOOK TOO HAPPY WITH CAL! THIS CANNOT BE GOOD!
Next time, Chapter 17, Tears of Misery
Mikona can't wait!
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