Rena’s POV

The car’s engine hums as we follow the endless road, the world outside blurring into a snowy white. The path comes to a secluded lake with frost-covered trees all around.

Carter turns off the car, breaking the silence with a quiet, “This is it,” and parks on the snow-covered rocky bank. We sit quietly, the silent lake marking the end of our journey.

As we step out of the car, the frozen lake grabs my attention, our breath visible in the cold air. We pause, awestruck by the sunlit, snow-covered scene.

Carter stands, watching me sit on the hood of his car. I savor the engine’s warmth and the sun’s caress on my face. Eyes closed, I inhale deeply, embraced by serenity until Carter’s voice interrupts the silence.

“What are you thinking about?” he seeks gently.

I turn to meet his gaze, finding warmth and empathy in his eyes. My lips curve into a small smile. “Just appreciating the peace here. It’s easy to get lost in thought.”

Carter nods in understanding. After a moment, he implores, “If you don’t mind me asking... what brought you to this town? You seem far from home.”

I take a deep breath. “It’s not a cheerful story.”

I recount what had happened - how my father had slaughtered my mother in a fit of madness, wanting his daughters to start Valprya. How a mysterious figure had then killed my father before taking my sister away. I was left there, bloody and drifting into unconsciousness to do anything else.

Carter listens; his gaze empathetic. When I finish, he whispers.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through that. No one should ever experience such trauma.” He pauses. “I know what it’s like to feel alone. I never knew my parents.”

His admission surprises me. Beneath his calm exterior, there lies depths of understanding.

We’re both alone in different ways.

“I’m sorry too. I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been.”

“We both know what it’s like to feel lost. But you’re not alone anymore. You have a home here if you want it.”

His kind words warm me more than the sun. A comfortable silence falls between us as we both lost ourselves in thought, processing the painful truths we share.

After a few moments, Carter speaks again. “Do you ice skate?”

I shake my head. “No, I’ve never learned.”

“Would you like to try it?”

My heart flutters at the prospect of holding his hand on the frozen lake.

“Brace yourself, I’ll be falling a lot at first.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right there to catch you.”

I nod, still uncertain. But something about Carter’s calm demeanor puts me at ease. I grip his hands as we step onto the frozen lake.

At first, my feet slid on the ice. But Carter holds me steady, his firm grip keeping me upright. “Just glide, don’t kick,” he instructs. I focus on maintaining my balance rather than walking.

Gradually, my sliding steps smooth into gentle strides. I glide across the ice with surprising ease, Carter’s steady guidance keeping me balanced.

“You’ve got it.” He gives me a warm smile.

I smile back, relaxing into the motion. We make a few slow laps around the lake, his hand warm in mine.

I relax at peace here, with Carter guiding me across the ice. Even now, lingering shadows remain of my painful past and my missing sister.

I can’t lose my humanity or accept being a dhampir, yet I am one.

Carter is dangerous. He’s something I don’t want to be.

But he knows something about my sister that I don’t.

My mind races with doubts as the icy wind bites at my cheeks yet brings clarity to my troubled mind.

As our skating slows, I turn to Carter. “You mentioned knowing something about my sister. What did you mean?”

Carter’s smile fades. We stand there; our breaths are white in the cold. “I know little-only met her twice.”

My heart quickens at the possibility of learning more about Rachel. “Please, tell me what you know.”

He considers me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. When he speaks, his voice is gentle yet stern. “I’ll share what I can. But first, there’s something I want.”

I steel myself. “What is it?”

Carter steps closer, lowering his voice. “I want you.”

My voice coming out softly. “Why me?”

A smile tugs at the corner of Carter’s lips. “I can tell by your eyes, kitten—you’re as curious about me as I am about you.”

He reaches out, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. Our eyes met; the air charges between us.

What did he truly want from me? After everything I have been through, could I trust another person with my heart?

I take a breath to steady my nerves. “Carter, I... I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

He searches my eyes. “Why? Are you afraid I might hurt you?”

“No, I’m afraid that... I might be the one to hurt you. It’s just after everything that happened. It’s hard to know who to trust.” My gaze falls to the ice between us.

“You can trust me, I promise.”

“I dare you to prove it.” A playful smile creeps onto my face as an idea form.

Carter raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? And how do you propose I do that?”

I grip the collar of his shirt, pulling him in so our faces are just inches apart.

“Catch me,” I moan before darting away with laughter.

A grin spread across Carter’s lips as he gave chase. My boots slid easily across the frozen surface as I glide away, the thrill of the moment overtaking any lingering doubts. Carter closed in, finally sweeping me into his arms in a triumphant hug.

He holds me close for a moment, his body warm against mine. We gaze into each other’s eyes, both breathing heavily from our ran across the ice.

“Damn, you caught me,” I laugh, making no effort to pull away.

One hand comes up gently to brush my cheek, “So... does this mean you trust me now?”

He caresses my cheek, his touch warm despite the cold. My heart pounds in my chest, though whether from the chase or from his nearness, I was not sure.

I leaned my face slightly into his caress, finding comfort in his touch. Yet doubts still lingered in my mind.

“If you share the story of how you met my sister, then you’ll win me over.”

Carter holds my gaze intently.

“So, a demanding little kitten wants to know,” his demeanor shifting to one of gravity as he peers out over the icy expanse of the lake.

I follow Carter’s gaze, shivering not from the cold but from the intensity in his eyes. In that moment, any doubts I had melted away - I knew I could trust this man.

Carter’s POV

Close to Royalvia, I drive us to a secluded lake that feels like a different world. As we near our destination, I veer off the road and onto a gravelly patch to park. As I step out, I notice Rena perching herself on the hood of my car.

This tranquil haven, a world away from the urban cacophony, is more than perfect—it’s necessary.

My heart aches for her as she recounts her sister’s disappearance, her features etching with distress, and every word lacing with a blend of despair and hope.

As I watch, Rena grapples with my request, her inner turmoil playing out in the uncertainty clouding her gaze. We are strangers to each other, our anonymity underscored by the shared anguish that inexplicably binds us.

Rena’s love for her sister is unmistakable, a desperate need to uncover her whereabouts, to confirm her safety, to rescue her wherever she is. Yet, unbeknownst to Rena, I harbor the suspicion that her sister is far from vulnerable; instead, she might pose a threat.

The steadfast determination in her eyes reveals her readiness to make the ultimate sacrifice for the truth. She’s prepared to go to any lengths, regardless of the cost, holding onto a glimmer of hope. She’s surrendering the deepest part of herself to uncover what I know.

A warm, reassuring smile crosses my face, my heart softening as I grasp the depth of her desperation and her readiness to make a sacrifice.

Her cheeks blush a rosy hue as she gazes at me, her eyes brimming with curiosity and tension.