Thread: Winter's Kiss (Ursus Peregrinus & Candy_demon21)

The warmth was welcomed, but the feeling of those around her breathing down her neck however was not. She could smell the stale smell of sweat lingering on their clothes, clearly not having been washed in god only knew. 'Be grateful Odette, not every person is warm like you are, nor are they as well bathed.' Perhaps she could start offering hot water to those who could not afford to make it. The thought turned up the corners of her lips. When Livia spoke, the raven haired girl looked up at the statue and shrugged, Handsome yes, but those beautiful eyes and features could be nothing but a front. He could be cold hearted and bitter, don't be fooled by a pretty face. Trust me Livia, my mother has told me a thousand times, a she will tell me a thousand times again. Though the moment that her hand was raised high into the air, all conversation drew to a deathly still, and in that moment, all eyes were locked on her shivering form. Why was it that she was shivering? The cold was not causing it, the wool cloak she had wrapped around her body was keeping the chill out, as were the bodies, but gradually too, they began to back away from her, as if her raised hand had cursed her and the very earth she stood upon. Emerald orbs flicked from solemn face to the next, what had she done, she almost instantly regretted raising her hand, but the feeling that was burning in her chest told her that is what she must do! When Livia spoke, Odette turned her gaze towards the blond and smirked impishly, I told you you had no reason to fear. It wasn't intentional, but she supposed that since her hand was already raised towards the heavens and everyone knew it was she who would go, there would be no fighting it. My mother has kept me locked away in that damned house for too long, I'm old enough, and by the gods, if I want to do this than let me be! Though her mother was bound to be up in arms about this, Odette knew that the moment her mother arrived home, and she was not there, she would go looking. She was sure to find her answers when she went to town, all the people would say how sorry she was for her loss. Moriwin would get that perplexed look of her's and then, realization would smack her square in the face like a bitter winder from the North. When the mayor's voice boomed, directed at her, Odette smiled and nodded her head, You did just ask if anyone wished to volunteer did you not? If I am not mistaken Mayor, I have raised my hand and offered to go. This is no jest, I know what this task requires, I am no child, nor am I foolish. So why did it feel as if she had gotten herself into something she knew she would never be able to escape from? She reasoned that it was because of what her mother would think, but in all truth, what would her mother think? Would she be disappointed in her daughter for doing something so foolish as raising her hand, or would she be proud? Certainly it was not to be the latter, that thought alone made Odette shake her head sadly, knowing JUST how her mother would react. Watching the Mayor leave his perch and make his way towards her. Even from afar, Odette could see the mask of concern he wore. What did she have to fear. Many of the townsfolk had done this same thing and many had returned, so why was it that everyone looked as if she was walking towards her own casket? When the Mayor spoke, a flush of warmth filled her cheeks, the anger she felt tasted sharp in her mouth. I am not! I am of the same age as the boy who went years ago, who volunteered. Why should I not be given the same honor as he? Perhaps it is because I am a woman? Or perhaps it is because of my mother's wrath? Surly it is not that. Or is there some untold secret that those of this village know that I do not? When the had turned away and announced the lottery was still to be held, a deep growl of frustration slipped past gritted teeth. By the gods, if it was not her mother, it was everyone else! The silence was ended by the crowd agreeing with the Mayor 'only a child', if she were only a child, then why had others of the same age gone? The sound of waves filled her ears as her anger seemed to bubbled to the surface, evident from the red in her cheeks and forehead. Just as Odette turned to make her way towards home, a blood chill sound echoed off the stone walls and silenced those who spoke. It was the sound of the wolves. They had thrown their heads back and bayed at the moon, loud, almost mournful noises. All eyes turned towards the carriage, including her own. From inside the carriage, a figure emerged, draped in a black cloak as thick as fog. The figure was tall, taller than anyone of the crowd, but his face was hidden beneath the thick folds of the velvet he had draped himself in. Was that the prince? The locket that Odette had taken felt hot, almost painful against her skin, perhaps...he? The man stepped towards the wolves, a hand reached out an lovingly scratched behind the beast's ear, as if it were just a common mutt. When the figure spoke, his voice boomed like thunder, a voice that told all who thought it wise to object, to hold their tongues in fear of losing them. So that was the prince, a cloaked figure, turning her face away from him and towards the statue, Odette could see no resemblance of the two, surly the man that hid himself beneath the velvet was not the prince that everyone so loved and feared? When he called to her, a strange sort of feeling, a pulling in her gut, told her to step forward, that there was truly nothing to hear. Though at the same time, being called child again, made the anger bubble up, making the copper taste that had filled her mouth once, return with a vengeance. It took everything she had in her, all the strength she had been saving up for her mother, to not tell the prince that she was by no means a child, but she stayed silent, and took several steps forwards. The crowd parted like the sea as she moved through them, each one of them had the same expression. It was that same expression that people got when they knew something horrible had just happened, and sadly, you were the last one to be told. How she wanted to shout at them all and tell them to stop worrying, she was no child! Reaching the Mayor's side again, Odette looked up into his face, his apology making her scowl. All the curses that she had been thinking, at all the people who gave her the same grim expression, had vanished, just as the linger clouds of breath did. The hurried movements of the Mayors assistant garnered no response, but the embrace made Odette's brows furrow. He was warm, and soft, just as she had figured he'd be, but it felt as if this was a 'Farewell, you shall not return,' sort of hug. The moment he pulled away, saying it was best to hurry, something in his eyes changed. Was that fear that flicked beneath those small little eyes of his? Fear of the prince? The mayor's voice sounded, all those who had kept their eyes locked on the prince, had turned their gaze towards the Mayor. As he spoke, Odette felt her mouth drop open in disbelief. By the gods, why was everyone so hell bent on getting anyone else to , besides her, to take her place?! The whistle from within the carriage made Odette turn her gaze towards the Mayor and then towards the moving figures. The wolves that had seemed so docile, moved towards the two of them, hackles raised, teeth bared and snarling. Instantly she thought she had done something wrong. Perhaps he had heard her thoughts about her cursing those and him, that she was no child. The whisper that was carried on the bitter wind made a shiver run down the girl's spin. There was no hint of warmth within the voice, only a cold absolute, those who disobeyed would be punished. Odette felt a pulling at her heart, the Mayor, foolish as he was, was simply trying to be a good person and shield Odette from a fate she did know. Opening her mouth to speak, she realized that nothing but clouds of warm air lingered in the air, her voice lost to the cold. When the books her handed her to, the young woman clutched them to her chest and watched the Mayor turn, defeated. The prince didn't need to be cruel, nor did he need to tell the kind heart man that if they were to meet again, it would his last. In the bat of eye, the wolf lunged at the Mayor and they toppled over, others in the crowd yelped, but no one ran in fear of screamed, they were frozen to where they stood, perhaps too frightened to even consider running. Stop this! Odette had found her voice, but it was little more than a whisper, and before she could find it again, the singular wolf picked the case up, it's intelligent eyes flicking up towards her. It watched her for a long moment, gave a quick wag of it's long tail and trotted towards the carriage. Cold fear gripped her heart as her eyes flicked back towards the carriage. She was doomed to die, she thought in fear, this was why the others had been so determined to choose anyone but her, they knew she did not have the gall to be chosen. With a shaky breath, Odette started towards the black hole that loomed in front of her. It beckoned her forward, demanding she advance. When the voice spoke from the darkness, another chill ran the length of her spine, prickling her skin almost painfully. The fire that was her own anger fought harshly against the cold brush of the voice, how it wanted to unchain from her and tell the ghostly figure that she would not be owned, but the fear that was balled up tightly her gut warned to simply hold her tongue. And she did. Standing before the carriage, her eyes still attempting to find something other than darkness, flicked towards the corner of her vision. Slowly she turned her gaze away, those beautiful emerald eyes desperately searching the crowd for Livia. Her eyes pleaded to any stranger willing to look long enough, to tell her mother that she would be alright, and that nothing would happen. But it was a lie that Odette could feel herself telling, she would be fine yes, but she felt as if she'd never return home. even if she begged the gods to take her away. Flicking her eyes back towards the carriage, Odette pulled herself into the black abyss, the book now firmly pressed into her breasts. It was hard to breath yes, but it kept her from running in fear of the stranger that she knew sat opposite of her. tag