Author Note
I swear, if one of you says "I ship Jack and Wynter"
I am killing him off!!
This is not a love a triangle.
Nick and WYNTER will end up together. This is just some fanservice and slight teasing!!! Okay!!!!!!
I repeat!
Y'all better not catch feelings for Jack Frosteneson and if you do, ship him with yourselves !

———-

Chapter 35

I wake up and instantly let out the gasp I didn't know I was holding. All I remembered from last night was me running away on the ice?
Oh.
The ice!

How was I still alive? I was drowning last time I remembered?
I turn my head towards the fire, bending forward to obtain some warmth. I drop my head to observe my body. I was in a thick, wooly blanket with no clothes underneath.

So I did drown!?

I tighten the short cloth around my chest and look up at the unfamiliar territory. I needed to take in my surroundings and figure out my next plan of action.

White magnificent crystals shined throughout the lengthy chandeliers while while elegant silver and gold tapestries painted the walls. It was a beautiful scene.

"You're awake." A voice sounds from behind. I turn my head around and see none other than him.
"Jack Frost?" I whispered, staring into his hypnotizing sea blue eyes.

I felt myself freeze under his tense gaze. He was about 6 feet away from me, sitting in a brown tufted leather chair.

His rich blonde curls were illuminated against the cracklings of the fire. Every spark from the fire was hitting his perfectly chiseled profile.

There was an unusual silence between us.

"Why did you save me?" I finally find my voice. He pushes a knuckle to his lips, making sure to cement his gaze.
A lazy smirk parts his lips before he leans forward. "People usually say thank you to the person who saved their life?" His voice was so smooth; there was an attractive confidence behind it.

"How did you know where I was?" I return without missing a beat. I was the only one on the ice? And even if he did save me, why would he bring me to his castle instead of Nick's? His convenience was far too suspicious.

And in an instant, clarity entered my mind. He must have set it up.
My questions started to flow.

"Where's Nick?
Who undressed me?
How many days have I been out?"

He remained quiet, pondering his answers to my questions.

"He is back at the North Pole.
I had my servants undress you. You were loosing body heat and I needed you to survive.
You have been out cold for three days.
You fell in the ice so I kept you overnight."

He stood from the tufted chair and walked over to the fire, throwing a few more logs into its base.
The fire ignited, sputtering hot ash. Approving the warmth of the room, he turns his attention back to me, bending down to face my eye level.

My breath hitches as his warm palm pulls my jaw closer to his. Meticulously. he scans my face, taking in every feature. I never really cared for him but seeing him this close, illuminated by the fire, made me appreciate his features.

"Your bruise is healing up nicely" he presses a thumb to my lip but I wince.

"Bruise?" I gasp, trying not to sound fearful.
He lifts my chin, bending my head back for a closer inspection. "How did I get a bruise?" His eyes were still on my cheek.

"You split your cheek when you fell into the ice but I healed it so the scar is minimal" he recites still holding my jaw. "It will disappear in a few days"
I tried to quiet the sound of the lump forming in my throat. I refused to cry.

There was no space between us and I knew it purposeful on his part. I turned my eyesight down and looked away.

He pressed a palm against the back of my neck, making me draw in a breath. Again, he stood and walked over to the fire, throwing more wood into the flame. I don't know why but eveything he did looked so calculated... so? Assured.

"You're shivering....three days later." he said but it came out more like a question. "Magical entities usually warm up by now?" I didn't like the suspicions that laced his tone. How much did he know?

"Omg my phone! My company!" I blurted, instantly regretting the outburst once I saw Jack's eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"Company?" He frowns, his interest now peaked.
I shut my mouth, still remembering that no one except Drew and Nick knew of my true origins.

"I meant my kingdom. It's like a company to me. Like Nick! Yes he has a company as well"

He hummed and nodded. He didn't look convinced but there was nothing he could do; for now anyways.

Jack walked towards the spot where I rested and extended a hand, signaling me to take it.

Hesitatingly, I took it, standing to my feet and instantly feeling weak in my knees. My hands pressed against his warmth as I instinctively fell into his chest. I hadn't been on my feet in days so the blood was still rushing to my feet.

He wrapped the blanket around me a little tighter before lifting me in his strong arms and carrying me to the bed.

I blushed, feeling awkward at our close contact. I didn't know whether to thank him or yell at him for being so bold.

He laid me in the bed across from the fire, pulling the second set of covers over my shivering body.
The waters must have been very cold.

He pushes a curl away from my cheek before looking into my eyes. I snatch my head away, making sure to remind him of keeping a safe distance. " I see why Nick told me to stay away."

He chuckled at the statement, taking it as a form of flattery. "Is there a reason why a princess like you would be running from Pole Castle in the middle of a blizzard?"

I refused to speak. I did not owe him an explanation. He sighed, snapping two fingers in the air. Instantly, two women came in and helped me stand from the bed before leading me to the bathroom.

"I'll see you at dinner Princess" he smirked before leaving the room. "And dress her in something nice" he winks at me before closing the door behind him.

I turn towards the two ladies as they dip me into the basin. "Where is Nick?"

"Master Jack said to bathe you and prepare you for dinner."

Great. They were on his side which meant they would tell me nothing. The tallest lady of the two leaves the bathroom to grab a dress for me to wear.

"He is a misunderstood soul." One lady confesses. She looked at me under her soft white spectacles.

"Who? Jack?" I ask. She focused her fingers on my skin, scrubbing everything crevice with tenacity.
A healthy amount of silence passed on before she found her voice. "Every story has a hero and a villain. Jack Frost was not born evil. He was forced to take the role"

I look to the waters, running my fingers through its surface.
I mean, was she right? Jack had saved me from drowning and took me into his home. Besides the constant flirting, maybe he wasn't all that bad?

"There are two sides to every story Princess. I suggest you hear his side" she smiles before standing and patting her hands dry. "Come on, let's get you dressed"

——

Another two servants led me down a hallway that lead to the dinning room. The room was as elegant as the first room I woke up in. Despite its elegance, it was so cold and icy.

Jack had already found his place at the end of table, casually sipping on a glass of white wine.

His head snapped up before he stood and bent his head. I guess he was required to bow in the presence of a royal.

"Beautiful" he whispers. Selfishly his eyes undressed me. I mean, the outfit he prepared for me left nothing to the imagination. It was a soft baby blue cut out gown with crystal detailing. It clung to every curve of my body. At the bottom half was two deep slits. One wrong move and everything would be exposed but I guess that was his intent.

"The dress fits you princess" he says, lifting a hand to the chair that was waiting for me. I drag my feet against the floor, careful to not flash him.

A servant came and placed an identical looking glass across from me and then, a bowl of piping hot soup came soon after.

"Eat" he signaled, pointing to the bowl of soup.

"Im not hungry" I smirked, crossing my arms over my chest.

"You don't trust me princess?" He pretended to take offense.

"I still remember the rose a certain Frost man tried to gift me to trap me?"

"I didn't know teasing was forbidden?" He shrugs, taking another healthy sip of his wine. I look down at the soup, praying the hunger in my stomach subsided. Hopefully my mouth wasn't visibly watering.

"You'll feel better if you eat."

"I'm really not that hungry" My stomach roars an instant after.

"I didn't poison it." He willingly shares the tidbit. He knew I was thinking it.

"I didn't think you did" I lied. He tried to hold back his smile and continued eating his own bowl of soup.

Hesitantly I take a spoon and start my consumption. The warm broth of the liquid was so delicious and creamy. A cool sensation glided down the larynx of my throat and pure ecstasy ensued.

It was quite addictive. I scoop a bit more into my mouth before relaxing and looking at the ceiling above. It really was a beautiful place. Nick's palace was bigger and more charming but Jack's palace had a certain aesthetic that was interesting.

Jack still ate, looking at me from across the table.

"Did he ever tell you why?"

"Why?" I ask.

"Why you're supposed to stay away from me." He leans back, pushing his palms beneath his chin.

"No" I mumbled, "I never asked him"

He hums and sips another gulp of wine.
This would be a long night.

Author Note
Hey! Sorry for ending so abruptly. I just wanted to update before vacation. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas.
How are we liking Jack Frost so far?