Morning arrived quietly.
Soft light spilled across the villa.
Leah stirred first.
Pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders.
The air smelled of pine.
Winter crisp.
She peeked out the window.
The lake lay still.
Frozen edges glinting.
Not a ripple.
Not a sound.
Izana appeared in the doorway.
Dressed.
Hands in his coat pockets.
"…Morning," he murmured.
"…Quiet," she replied.
He stepped closer.
"…Perfect for a walk," he said.
Her brow lifted.
"…A walk?"
He nodded slowly.
"…Just us. No business. No distractions," he said.
A small smile curved her lips.
"…Then I'm ready."
They walked toward the dock.
Leaves and twigs crunched underfoot.
Frost coated the edges.
She stepped carefully.
He matched her pace.
"…Cold," she whispered.
"…A little," he said.
"…Manageable."
Wind swept through the trees.
"…Sharper than yesterday," she added.
He tightened his hand around hers.
"…Closer," he said.
"…Lean in."
She shifted slightly.
His arm wrapped around her waist.
Pulling her closer.
"…Better?" he asked.
"…Much," she whispered.
The lake stretched out ahead.
Calm.
Winter holding it tight.
The frozen edges reflected the morning light.
"…It's beautiful," she breathed.
"…Not as beautiful as you," he murmured.
A faint blush warmed her cheeks.
"…You always say that," she teased.
"…I mean it," he said softly.
They lingered at the edge of the dock.
No one else around.
Just them.
Wind biting at their faces.
"…I can't imagine swimming today," she said with a shiver.
He chuckled softly.
"…Agreed," he said.
"…Too cold for anything like that."
She laughed lightly.
"…At least we don't have to brave the water," she said.
"…Exactly," he replied.
"…We'll leave it for another day."
Leah spotted a flat stone at the edge of the dock.
"…Want to skip rocks?" she asked, a spark in her voice.
He glanced at it.
A slow smile curved his lips.
"…Always," he said.
She bent, testing the weight of a stone in her hand.
"…I haven't done this in years," she said quietly.
"…Then now is the perfect time," he said softly.
"…With me."
He picked up his own.
Flat. Smooth.
"…Watch closely," he added, tossing it lightly across the water.
It skipped once.
Twice.
Three times.
"…Not bad," she whispered, impressed.
"…For you?" he asked, smirking.
"…Beginner's luck," she admitted.
He chuckled.
"…Then I have to show you again," he said, picking another stone.
He crouched slightly, steadying himself.
Aiming carefully.
"…Izana," she teased.
"…You take this way too seriously."
"…Precision is key," he replied.
"…Even in play."
The stone skipped four times.
She clapped softly.
"…Okay, okay," she said,
"…I see how it's done."
She selected another stone.
Tossed it clumsily.
"…One skip," she groaned.
He laughed quietly.
"…Here, I'll guide you," he said, standing behind her.
His hands found hers.
Fingers brushing over hers.
"…Light touch," he murmured.
"…Like this."
She inhaled sharply.
The next stone arced perfectly.
Two skips.
"…Better?" he asked.
"…Much better," she said, smiling.
A breeze swept across the lake.
Wind tugging at their hair.
"…This is nice," she whispered.
"…Quiet," he said.
"…And ours."
"…And cold," she added, laughing lightly.
"…Cold," he agreed.
"…But worth it."
They continued for a while.
Stone after stone.
Skipping. Laughing.
The sound of water kissing stone.
Tiny splashes.
Small victories.
"…I'm getting better," she said proudly.
"…Yes," he agreed.
"…With practice, unstoppable."
He tossed another stone, making it skip five times.
"…Cheater," she said, playful, pointing.
"…Precision," he replied with a smirk.
She selected one last stone.
Held it tightly.
Paused.
"…I'm going to beat you," she said softly.
"…We'll see," he murmured.
She threw it.
…Four skips.
She gasped, eyes wide.
"…I did it!" she whispered.
"…I saw," he said, voice low.
"…And I'm impressed."
He pulled her close.
Warmth from him contrasting the cold.
She leaned into him.
His arm around her shoulders.
"…We make a good team," she murmured.
"…Always," he said softly.
A pause.
"…I'm glad we did this," she added.
"…So am I," he agreed.
"…Far better than sitting in the mansion."
The cold grew sharper.
Leah shivered.
He noticed immediately.
"…Out," he said.
"…Back inside."
Step by step, they returned.
Feet crunching over frost.
The dock behind them.
The lake still.
The air cold, sharp.
Inside, the fire welcomed them.
Soft glow.
Warmth wrapping around their bodies immediately.
He guided her to the couch.
"…Here," he said.
"…Sit."
She nestled between his legs.
Blanket draped over both.
Warmth spreading slowly.
His arms around her.
Close.
Secure.
"…Better," she whispered.
"…Much better," he agreed.
Fingers intertwined.
Small touches.
Quiet laughter.
"…I like this," she murmured.
"…Quiet," he said.
"…And ours."
"…And warm," she added.
"…Exactly," he agreed.
Her head rested against his chest.
His chin lightly atop her head.
"…Perfect," she whispered.
"…Just us," he murmured.
"…And stones," she added with a small laugh.
"…And stones," he agreed, chuckling softly.
The fire crackled.
Light flickering across their faces.
Soft shadows along the walls.
Outside, the lake remained still.
Cold.
Untouched.
Inside, warmth lingered.
Hands still together.
Fingers brushing.
Bodies close.
Quiet.
"…Tomorrow?" she asked.
"…Tomorrow," he said.
"…More exploration."
"…But not the lake," she teased.
"…Agreed," he murmured.
"…Some things are better left frozen."
"…I like our winters," she said quietly.
"…And me in them?" he asked softly.
"…You make them perfect," she whispered.
He pressed a gentle kiss to her head.
"…Then let's stay like this a little longer," he said.
"…Agreed," she replied.
The fire crackled.
Blanket tight around them.
Time slowed.
No rush.
No obligations.
Just warmth.
Just quiet.
Just them.
And for now—
That was more than enough.