“Come outside.” Cross said.
As he spoke, a soft little “puff… puff…” sound filled my ears followed by a tiny squeak, it came from the doorway.
I turned immediately.
The moment my eyes landed on the little creature, I completely forgot what I was about to say.
It was the cutest thing I had ever seen.
The tiny creature was no bigger than a rabbit.
Its body was round and covered in fluffy white fur that looked softer than snow.
Two tiny ears peeked out from the thick fluff, twitching every few seconds.
Its bright sapphire-blue eyes sparkled with curiosity, while its little pink nose twitched as it sniffed the air.
A small fluffy tail bounced behind it each time it took a step, and tiny silver paws padded quietly across the floor.
It tilted its head.
“Puff.” It immediately hid one paw inside its fluffy body.
My eyes widened.
“It’s so cute.”
A smile appeared on Cross’s face “You can touch her.”
I slowly bent down, almost afraid she would run away.
“Hey.” I whispered softly.
The little creature blinked at me before letting out another tiny squeak.
“Puff.”
Carefully, I slipped my hands beneath her and lifted her into my arms.
She was unbelievably soft.
It felt like I was holding snow.
Instead of cuddling against me, she stayed perfectly still.
Her big watery eyes remained fixed on Cross as though she was worried he was handing her over to a stranger forever.
My heart melted.
“Aww…”
I hugged her gently against my chest and Cross stepped closer.
The moment he did, the creature wiggled out of my arms and jumped straight onto him without hesitation.
“I think she loves you.” I said.
Cross gently stroked the top of her head.
“She isn’t used to strangers.” He replied.
“Come on, meet my bride, Imogen.”
He carefully lifted the creature again and placed her back into my arms.
The little creature looked up at me before looking back at Cross.
“Puff.” She puffed out her tiny cheeks as if she was protesting and stretched both little paws toward Cross like a baby
I couldn’t help smiling.
I gently rubbed the top of her head.
She continued staring at Cross with those big, watery eyes, making little unhappy squeaks.
“She really loves you, Cross.” I said softly.
“What exactly is she?” I asked.
Cross looked down at the tiny creature.
“She is called a Snow Puff. She once had a soulmate, but during the war, I lost him.” Cross said.
The little Snow Puff lowered her ears.
“Puff…”
Her tiny cry sounded lonely and Cross gently rubbed behind one of her ears.
“He was called the Ember Puff. He was a fire-aligned puff and she is an ice-aligned Puff.” He said.
“Complete opposite.” I replied.
Cross nodded.
“There are actually different species of them with different elemental types. I once saved them from a fire outbreak.”
I stared at him.
He saved them?
That was thoughtful and maybe he really wasn’t as terrible as I had first believed.
Behind that cold face was still someone with a kind heart.
“What about the remaining Puffs?” I asked.
“They all died. Only she survived because of her ice abilities.” He said.
My smile slowly faded.
I looked down at the tiny creature resting quietly in my arms.
She had lost her soulmate and her family.
Everyone she knew was gone and no wonder she looked so attached to Cross.
She wasn’t looking at Cross because he was her master.
She was looking at the only family she had left.
I gently pinched her soft little cheek.
“I promise to take good care of you.” I muttered.
Snow Puff looked up at me.
She blinked twice before rubbing her tiny face against my hand.
She sneezed and tiny snowflakes land on my nose.
My heart almost exploded.
Cross watched us quietly.
“That’s your surprise. I’ve been busy lately and I can’t spend time with her like before. I feel she needs a new master and you’ll be the perfect fit.”
My eyes widened.
“You want me to be her master?”
Cross nodded.
For a moment, I couldn’t believe it, then, before I even realized what I was doing, I threw my arms around him.
Cross froze.
His hands remained hanging awkwardly in the air as though he wasn’t sure what to do.
I buried my face against his body and hugged him tightly.
“Thank you.” I whispered.
A second later, I felt him relax and his hands slowly settled around my waist, holding me gently.
The warmth, that was the only word I could think of.
No one had ever held me like this before.
Not even my boyfriend’s hugs had made me feel this safe.
I closed my eyes for just a second.
I was genuinely happy and now I wouldn’t be lonely anymore.
I had someone to keep me company.
Cross’s hands remained around my waist, and because of our ridiculous height difference, I felt like a little child hugging someone much older.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed through the corridors.
“Your Majesty.”
We stepped apart so quickly it was almost awkward.
Several demons dressed in dark armor stood at the entrance, each carrying a weapon.
Their expressions were tense as they bowed deeply before Cross.
Cross’s warmth disappeared immediately.
His face turned cold and his eyes hardened.
“Speak.”
“We have a problem, Your Majesty. The council is here and they are not here for peace.” One of the guards said.
Cross’s expression changed instantly.
The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by the cold, unreadable face I had seen only a few times.
His jaw tightened.
“Don’t let them into the palace. I’ll be there.” Cross said.
The guards bowed at once.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Without another word, they hurried away.
Cross turned back to me.
His gaze softened again, but I could still see the tension hiding underneath it.
He stepped closer and gently rested a hand on my shoulder.
“Take Puff inside and lock the doors.” He said.
“Do not come outside or open the door for anyone else except me.”
His voice was calm, but there was urgency behind it.
I tightened my hold around Snow Puff.
“What is going on, Cross?” I asked.
My heart began to pound.