Free Snow Heart by Arvalee Knight Page B

in the car that it would be alright.”
    He looked over his shoulder at her trying his hardest not to smile. “I know. I simply wanted you to hope for it then take it away.” He turned to the Zen garden and closed the door shut behind him.
    Nieves sighed rather softly and made her way to the table and its meat-eating plant. She looked at the beauty knowing its viciousness. This plant, in a way, reminded her of Alric. He was handsome and gorgeous beyond belief but his heart was dying. Nieves would do her best to revive that heart.
    “Alric,” whispered a soft girl’s voice while sliding the front door open with a hush. A girl who appeared to be just a teenager stepped into the room and glanced around. Her eyes caught site of Nieves and froze there.
    “Hello,” Nieves greeted. “Is there something you need?”
    The girl’s mouth opened but she didn’t say anything.
    “Mia,” Alric’s monotone voice came from the other side of the shoji doors to the Zen garden. “What is it?”
    The girl named Mia, as Nieves discovered, trotted across the room graceful as a crane. She slid down to her knees and bowed lowly until her head pressed against the floor. “Alric, sir.” Mia was dressed in black and white striped socks with a short red pleated skirt. Along with a black jacket that was suited for cold weather.
    He slid the shoji door open but Alric didn’t bother to turn and look at her.
    “Monsun offered to take me to the city for shopping,” Mia said with a wavering voice. Nieves could hardly believe the girl had to ask Alric to leave. “He promises to stay with me the entire time.”
    Alric replied dryly, “It’s too dangerous.”
    Mia looked up with a gasp. “I won’t be alone, sir. Monsun promised.”
    “No, Mia.” Alric lifted his hand and watched the rays of sunlight slide across it like ribbons. He noticed the paleness of his skin compared to others. “Tell Monsun I wish to speak with him.”
    Mia raised her head abruptly. “Oh, hell. Alric don’t punish him.”
    “Mia,” Alric plainly stated. “I simply wish to speak with him.”
    “Just let her go!” Nieves screamed, getting to her feet. “Stop imprisoning people! If you want to punish someone punish me. Just let the girl go!”
    Alric’s hand tightened into a fist almost like he wanted to grab the sunbeam. “Mia,” he growled, “get out of my room.”
    The girl didn’t hesitate. She looked merely sixteen as she ran to the exit and away from the angered Alric—the very same man who wanted to “speak” with Monsun.
    Nieves swallowed down a large ball of fear that leapt into her throat and tightened painfully. Her stomach twisted until vile bit at the back of her throat. After taking down a deep breath, she said, “Stop pitying yourself. I finally get that your dying but… you’re not dead yet. Instead of trying to hurt everyone you should be living your life.”
    Alric looked over his shoulder at her, lowering his eyes to the ground. “Live my life, you say? I cannot leave these grounds. I am stuck here in this place from the day I was born to the day I die. I don’t get to live my life like you.”
    Nieves took a step forward. “That’s not true. I may be stuck in this room but I can still enjoy life.”
    “How is that?”
    She slid her hands up and down her arms while trying to think of ideas. “We could…”
    “What is this ‘we’?” He got up from the ground and leaned against the doorframe.
    “Well,” Nieves said shrugging a shoulder. “I assumed you’d want company.”
    Alric huffed while trying to hide his smile. He could not believe what she suggested. “You think I want to be around you? In all honesty, you disgust me. You are the most repulsive creature I could ever know.”
    Nieves turned her eyes to the meat-eating plant. “Yeah. I know.” She felt like a fly that landed on his beautiful leaves. “You are completely right.” Her sister had said those words in the same way many years ago.
    Alric laughed