[IRAYA]
"You're getting it," Lyander said as we glided slowly together down the trail. "Told you it would be fun."
I sighed. "It's tolerable. Slightly less horrible than I expected."
He leaned in just a little. "That's practically a love confession, coming from you."
I tried to push him. Missed. Fell again. Right into a snowbank this time.
When he helped me up, his hands lingered on my waist a little too long.
And I didn't move away.
We stopped near a ridge that overlooked the forest below, trees powdered in frost, the sky painted orange and lavender from the setting sun.
I stood beside him, breathing in the cold air, realizing that—for once—I wasn't thinking about being stuck. Or angry. Or alone.
I was just . . . there.
With him.
Stupidly.
And I didn't hate it . . . for now.
"Why are you really doing this?" I asked, more quietly this time.
