Diamonds and Ice

Voices, I'm hearing voices. Two males voices talking and they're talking about me.

"Thank you, doctor," someone says.

"Of course. She's very lucky that you've found her when you did," he replies.

"I just can't imagine what she was doing out in such cold in the middle of a night."

"I'm curious to find that out too. Perhaps she'll tell you when she wakes up. Until then, I can't stress enough the importance of keeping her cool and keep track of her temperature. She's not out of the woods yet," then, with a few clicks of a bag I hear hear him leave.

The other person is still with me and I almost recognize the aura his presence gives off as his weight shift next to me. The image of him sitting close by becomes a little more clearer each time I blink. It's a fight to keep my eyes open, but I must know what kind of a person will take such effort in my well being.

"Where am I?" talking is even harder and right away I frown from the unexpected pain in my throat.

"Look at that, the daredevil is awake," he places his hand over mine.

Smiling, right away I recognize the touch from my time at the Winter's Ball. It's Liam, no doubt.

"You're safe. You're in a guest room at Governor's Mansion."

"Liam..." my weakling fingers wrap around his hand.

"What is it?" he takes hold.

"I'm taking the job, if the offer still stands," a tear sizzles against my hot face.

"A letter of acceptance would have been more than fine, silly,"

"If only things were that simple."

"If only," he doesn't argue, as if he understands. "Here," gently, he helps me sit up, " drink this. You need nutrients," then brings a warm cup to my lips.

Whatever it's made of it tastes just like it looks - green.

"Ugh, what is this stuff?" frowning, I try to fight off the lingering leafy aftertaste.

"It's a blend of spinach, kale, and blueberries with a spoonful of honey," he smirks at my expression while dabbing my chin with a napkin. "It's good for you."

"Liam, I need to tell you something," I cough.

"Victoria, you really need to rest."

"There are mountain men in my village. They say they are hunting for wolves."

"I know they're here. They're hunting my pack."

"Why?" just as this conversation starts getting somewhere, staying awake becomes more than I can handle.

This is as much as my body can handle and as my heavy head sinks back into the pillow's cool silkiness my mind slips back into sleep.

"First things first, Victoria - you need to recover and don't worry, answers are coming," he assures me as the sight of him fades away.