Thank you damnthoseherondales, for thinking of two ship names: Snowdall and Kenflake (update: the 'official' one is Snowfall)

Chapter Twenty Nine

Kendall had closed the door to his office, isolating us from the rest of the palace and world. He hadn't said a word since directing us here, and Nolan didn't seem the least bit worried. In fact, I was sure there was the barest hint of a smug smirk on his face. Unlike Nolan, I was terrified.

A quiet Kendall wasn't good news because it meant he was processing everything and thinking. If Kendall was thinking, then he was already two steps ahead of Nolan and me. He probably knew what he wanted to say and what he was going to do before we had even stepped foot into the office.

Kendall walked over to his desk, tension curling itself around our feet like a pet. "Sit," was all he said as he glanced out the window where the garden lay.

I hesitantly sat and looked up at Nolan who was still standing. He laughed, either unaware of the tension or denser than I had remembered. I knew he was aware of the Gordon boy's reputation because he'd lived in the town I had. Yet, it seemed like he'd forgotten all of the rumors and tales.

"I don't sit on cue like some-" Nolan started but was quickly cut off by Kendall's sharp tongue.

"You will sit on cue unless you want the guards called in to snap a collar around your neck like a dog. Now sit!" Kendall snapped, his voice rising with each word.

They both stared at one another for what seemed like an eternity. Nolan slowly sat down, his eyes never leaving Kendall's. Right then, Nolan reminded me of a wolf tracking its prey. However, surrounded by guards who were loyal only to their Prince, Nolan was the prey.

"Now, you are going to inform me what the hell you were planning to do with my Protector. Is that understood?" Kendall asked calmly. He had yet to even look at or acknowledge me.

I already knew this was going to go downhill. Kendall was a man who gave orders and had done so throughout most of his life. Nolan was a man who hated to be given orders and naturally bent them as far as they were willing, or sometimes unwilling, to go. The two together were a disaster.

Nolan smirked at Kendall and I closed my eyes, inhaling. This was already off to a bad start.

"You see, heavenly Prince, I ran into my darling on my way to find you, ironically. But I saw the woman who used to warm my bedside and thought it was best to see if she was willing to do so again-"

"Nolan!" I snapped, my ears burning. I certainly wasn't a prude, but all of that wasn't Kendall's business. And it was a horrible, unnecessary lie.

"The last part was a lie, I admit, but I am rather familiar with her," Nolan confessed, and Kendall's eyes finally flashed.

"I hope you enjoy lying in a concrete, steel room chained by the neck. Guards," Kendall said, having heard enough. He didn't yell or speak loudly, but he was heard.

The doors opened and guards clustered in, grabbing Nolan. However, he didn't fight them but merely gave Kendall a look before he went with them willingly. Then, Kendall and I were the only ones left.

After a few minutes, Kendall finally sat down and ran his hands through his hair. A sigh escaped his lips before his blue eyes found me.

"Is what he said true?" Kendall asked, studying me. Maybe he expected a lie to slip from my mouth or for me to deny the dirty accusation. However, he wouldn't get either.

"Yes, I have slept with him, not that it's any of your business," I said slowly, but the answer didn't satisfy Kendall.

"And the rest?" He asked, his eyes still on me. His frown had disappeared, his face becoming a mask of nothing.

"No, it's not true, and I would've said no had he asked. He's an old lover, one that I'm not interested in anymore," I replied, watching as Kendall stood up, turning his back to me as he faced the window.

What I told him was true. I may still find Nolan alluring, but it wasn't enough for me to go back to him. And I was far more interested in what stood in front of me, not behind.

I sighed, standing up before I walked over to Kendall. I didn't see his reasoning for being so dramatic. I'd made several out-of-line comments, maybe not that bad, but had never once been punished. Yet, Nolan made one smart remark and was thrown into a cell probably until Kendall decided to deal with him.

Yes, I had heard his speech in the hospital and still remembered each word. But that didn't mean I believed them. Sometimes, we all got caught in the moment and our emotions became vivid and powerful. They reached overdrive and started pouring out. And then, when the moment was over, we may regret our words or realize we didn't mean them to their extent.

I wasn't clueless enough not to realize that Kendall felt something towards me. He'd been the one to kiss me, but it was more curiosity than anything. Maybe he was simply curious as to what it was like kissing a werewolf, or maybe he thought he felt something more than fondness.

But Kendall was a Prince, someone who had something always arranged for him. I was sure he already had a Princess he was supposed to court sooner or later. What was never expected was for him to feel something romantic for his Protector. It's thrilling, which was probably what caught Kendall's attention. But the thing about thrills, you see, is that they eventually died down, and then you're left with nothing.

"Why are you upset?" I asked, looking at him. I saw the ghost of a smile flicker across his face before he reached down, grabbing one of my hands.

He brought the back of my hand to his face, running it along his jawline before pressing his lips to it, still looking out the window. I was glad for that because he couldn't see me blush at the simple gesture.

"Do you know why the garden lies below and within view?" Kendall asked, my hand still in his.

"No," I replied, leaning closer to Kendall to see the multicolored garden.

"It is there to remind me that not everything in the world is filled with darkness and deception," he started, the smile making its return. "Sometimes, when I cannot see the garden, I look at you."

His eyes caught mine, but I quickly looked away and pulled my hand from his. I knew his sigh was coming, but before he could, I wrapped my arms around him, my head resting on his shoulder.

His smile grew briefly before he said, "Perhaps the positions have changed." I glanced up at him, confused.

"I don't understand," I confessed, watching as he sighed and frowned.

He gently removed me from his arm and guided me in front of him and the window. He reached out to brush my hair back, seeming to crave affection as much as me.

"You may be the 'dense' one, love, not me. You are my business and have been the moment you stepped foot into this palace," he said, his eyes gaining that fond look.

"You are much more than just a Protector to me, and I hope I am much more than just a Master to you," he said, the atmosphere in the room changing.

Kendall was more than a Master to me, so much so that I occasionally forgot that's what he was. He was a friend and someone so close to me that I could put my life on the line for his. It scared me just how much I cared for him, a human who had captured me.

It seemed Kendall was ready to discuss what was going on between us, but I wasn't. It would only lead to losing him, now or later down the line. I wasn't prepared for that to happen.

"Were you jealous, Kendall? It's okay to admit it, although I'm sure the trait doesn't look nice on you," I teased with a smile. I almost lost it when disappointment passed through his eyes.

"You, my Snowflake, are what they label a common idiot," he said, and I gasped, covering my heart.

Kendall laughed, both of us forgetting about the conversation as his eyes lit up with amusement. I then realized just how much I missed the amusement.

It added depth to them, almost seeming to create its own color. It was a lighter blue than his eyes as if it shined and gave Kendall added life.

I didn't notice, but sometime during my thinking, I had reached up and my fingers were lightly skimming the skin just above his eyes. They no longer held amusement but something more.

"If I did not know better," Kendall said, taking my hand back in his. "I would say you have feelings for me."

My eyes widened at the unexpected statement before I quickly looked away. I knew my heart was racing and that Kendall could undoubtedly hear it in the silent room. Yet, I still couldn't bring myself to say yes.

"I do not expect anything from you, love. I would just like-" Kendall started slowly, carefully selecting his words.

"I think it's about time to eat; don't you?" I asked, interrupting him. I couldn't bring myself to meet his eyes.

"Fine, leave."

I blinked, looking at him. I supposed I shouldn't have been surprised by what I saw, but it still stung. Kendall's eyes were frosted over, filled with as much ice as his voice had been, and his facial features had hardened.

"Kendall-" I tried, but he'd had enough.

"Get out, now. Do not return unless I tell you to. Is that understood?" He asked, his voice holding nothing but formality.

I started to walk away, but Kendall grabbed my upper arm, pulling me back. I looked up at him, hopeful he would let me explain, but of course, it wasn't that easy.

"A question is met with an answer," he said coldly. My hurt was gone and replaced with an equal amount of ice.

"Yes, your Highness. I understand you perfectly clearly," I spat and turned to walk out.

"I have yet to dismiss you!"

I left.

*************************

Fire is a funny thing. It swirls and dances, capturing eyes. It twirls and flickers, silently crackling. Its warmth draws people in, the temperature too alluring to resist. People crowd around it, dancing along with it or allowing it to calm them. But fire is only a deadly temptress. In my sleep, it was fire that haunted me.

Fire was the one who seared my skin with a simple kiss. Fire was the one who fed off my screams, growing taller with each one. It was fire that caused me to scream when I woke, and fire that caused the tears to stream down my face.

But tonight, for the first time since the explosion, it was different. When I woke, I wasn't alone.

I was wrapped in someone's arms, and they cocooned me. They kept me safe from the fire while lips pressed against my hair, shushing me and whispering sweet nothings into my ear. They were what kept the fire at bay as I found myself falling back to sleep.