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“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an ice bath to be at.”
“It’s dark, and you’re not good with directions like I am. I’ll go with you.”
Eula and Amber departed from Albedo’s camp, walking towards the frosty lake near the edge of Dragonspine.
Amber inhaled deeply as the biting wind hit her face and filled her lungs.
“It feels magnificent, don’t you agree?” asked Eula.
“It’ll take some more getting used to, for sure,” Amber replied. “But… truthfully..”
Eula raised a brow. “Yes? Spit it out.”
White tendrils of breath curled in front of the two girls as they conversed. They were nearly to the lake now.
“What I enjoy most about Dragonspine is how much you enjoy Dragonspine,” Amber said slowly.
Eula blinked in confusion. “What the devil is that supposed to mean?”
Amber chuckled, staring at her palms as she weaved a string of flame through her fingers.
“The way your eyes light up when you find some good Starsilver, or when you see a mink pop out from a snowdrift…” The flame in her hand vanished as she lifted her gaze.
Before Eula could stammer a reply, Amber pointed to the lake in front of them. “Look, we made it!”
“Huh?” Eula quickly followed Amber’s gaze, realizing that they were, in fact, approaching the edge of the lake.
The moon reflected on the calm surface. The water was as slick as glass, and all was quiet save for the crunching of the ice as the two women stopped walking.
Amber began undressing first. She began with her headband, and then her shoes and socks. She was in the middle of sliding her shorts down when her brown eyes shifted to Eula. “Mind looking away?”
“I was.. staring? Oh, I meant to say I’m sorry. My apologies.” Eula quickly did a 180° turn, her cheeks heating.
Soon, Eula heard the quiet plunk of Amber slipping into the lake behind her.
“Brrr, hurry up! I need some body heat over here.”
Eula swallowed, realizing she’d forgotten to undress. She took a deep breath, regrouping her thoughts.
She removed her clothes quickly, pausing for a moment before turning to face the brunette. “Move aside, if you please.”
Amber waded to the left, and Eula slid into the icy water beside her. A sigh escaped her as she sank down. “Mmm..”
“Finally,” remarked Amber. She moved behind the taller woman, wrapping her arms around Eula’s waist.
Amber didn’t really care for the frost or ice of Dragonspine, but she’d never tell Eula that. Never would she give her any reason to go on a trip to the lake without her.
Warmth coated Eula’s back as her companion pressed up against her, resting her head on her shoulder.
“Ahh, Eula..”
They’d done this before but.. something felt different this time. Tonight, Amber’s touch sent goosebumps down her spine, somehow always catching her by surprise.
The lull of the water against the ice filled the air as Amber embraced her, not showing any signs of moving. Her brown hair was tied up in a bun with her scarf.
Amber opened her eyes slowly. She looked to the side to see Eula’s throat bobbing as she swallowed hard.
The shorter woman sighed. “I’ve always wanted you to look at me like that, you know.”
“I beg your pardon?” Eula replied. “Like what?”
With a sigh, Amber smiled, pulling away from Eula. She hoisted herself up onto the ice, sitting on the edge with her legs still in the water.
“Like you look at the star silver. Like you look at the minks.”
Eula spun to face her friend.
“I envy them so often.. it must feel amazing to be the object of your desire, your motivation, your.. love..” Amber trailed off, the last word nearly impossible to hear. She swung her feet, kicking the water around.
“Amber. Explain yourself now, or I will be forced to-”
Amber cut her off, grabbing her face and pulling her in for a kiss. Her breath hastened, her chest heaving as she kissed Eula passionately.
Finally, she pulled back, opening her eyes. Her breath clouded in between them as she exhaled hard.
It was quiet for a moment as Eula stared at her in shock.
“I know, you’ll need to exact vengeance upon me.” Amber laughed. “But I… couldn’t go on without making it known. I’ve been pining for so long- you mean the world to me.”
Eula was quiet.
The brunette looked away, covering her chest in an attempt to escape the sudden awkwardness.
“So.. it is love, then.”
Amber blinked. “What?”
“If I am indeed in love with you, would you say that would explain the chills I get when you touch me? Or, the inability to meet your gaze when you are looking at me intensely?”
Amber looked at Eula in wide-eyed wonder. Her mind flooded with possibilities but she sat still, impatiently waiting for Eula to finish.
“My feelings. They often escape me; but I am quite aware of the difference between them when you are around as opposed to when you are away.”
Amber’s shocked expression slowly turned up into a smile. “Aha- hahahahaha!”
The brunette burst into laughter, wiping a tear happily.
When their eyes met once again, Eula was beaming. She reached out to brush a hand against Amber’s cheek. “Amber. The star silver, the minks… they are not nearly as fascinating when you are not by my side. Nothing is as interesting when you aren’t there to marvel with me.”
“Really?”
“Certainly. Are you implying that I would lie to a dear friend? For this, I will have vengeance.”
Amber giggled. “Take your vengeance whenever you please, Lady Lawrence.” She leaned forward, brushing her nose against Eula’s.
* * *
Later that night, as they walked back to camp, Amber wasn’t afraid to reach for Eula’s hand. And when they fell asleep, Eula wasn’t afraid to pull Amber a bit closer than usual.