Noelle shifted, letting out a soft murmur. I froze, thinking she was waking.
But she merely rolled over, facing me, and continued sleeping.
Her cheek bore a faint red imprint from resting against her arm. A few strands of hair clung to her face, quivering lightly with each breath.
I raised my hand again and gently tucked those strands behind her ear.
Her skin was warm and soft, the contact making my heart skip a beat.
"Noelle," I whispered her name.
Her lashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes. Those brown eyes were still hazy with sleep, gazing at me in confusion.
"Kholod?" Her voice was raspy from slumber. "When did you get back?"
"Just now," I replied. "You were asleep."
"Sorry, I..." She sat up, hastily smoothing her hair and skirt. "I was reading and got tired, and I just..."
"No need to apologize," I interrupted. "This is your home. You can rest wherever you like."
She paused, a flash of disbelief in her eyes.
I picked up the art book from her lap and turned to a page. "You want to visit these places?"
She followed my finger to the photo of Iceland's blue ice cave. Her eyes immediately sparkled.
"Yes," she said softly. "I've always wanted to see them."
"Then let's go."
"What?"
"I said, let's go." I closed the book, locking eyes with her. "Wherever you want, I'll take you."
Her eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe her ears. "Are... are you serious?"
"I don't joke about this." I stood up. "Pack your things. We leave tomorrow."
She stared at me, the light in her eyes growing brighter. Then, before I could react, she leaped from the sofa and flung herself into my arms.
"Really? We can actually go?" Her voice trembled with excitement.
My body stiffened for a moment. She hugged me tightly, her face buried in my chest, her warm breath seeping through my shirt onto my skin.
"Really," I said, slowly wrapping my arms around her waist. "I never break a promise."
She looked up at me, those brown eyes brimming with joy and something else I didn't dare identify.
Then, she rose on her tiptoes and brushed a light kiss across my lips.
It was brief, like a dragonfly skimming water, tentative and shy.
But in that instant, my heart seemed to stop.
She pulled back quickly, cheeks flushing, head lowering. "Sorry, I got carried away..."
"Don't apologize," I said, my voice rough.
