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“Oh! Well, aren’t you hungry,” she said with a chuckle.
“You want a whole cheesecake?” True whispered as Reece walked into the kitchen.
“For both of us. We’ll share it. And my bear can put sweets away, trust me.”
“I believe you,” she said. “Maybe you’re extra hungry because of that workout earlier. You know, when you sated us both?”
He let out his bear a little and rumbled in approval. “Hell yes.”
Reece came back out of the kitchen. “I’ve got chocolate chip and caramel pecan.”
They both answered “chocolate chip” at the same time, and Reece laughed. She put the chocolate chip cheesecake in a box and handed them two forks. “You truemate couples are always so sweet. Enjoy.”
“Thank you,” True said.
Winter led the way up the stairs to the rooftop. It was colder up there than in the cafeteria, but the heat lamps kept it comfortable as they settled at a small table in front of one. He opened the box and handed True a fork.
The temporary dome held back the raging storm beyond it. The wind howled, the sound muffled by the thick clear panes, and snow swirled over the smooth surface. No matter how rough it sounded out there, it was peaceful underneath, with magical fruit and vegetables growing in beds across the roof, lending a sweet, earthy scent to the air.
The Northern Lights danced above them, obscured by the snow but brilliant enough to still shine through.
“Oh wow,” True said, tipping her head back to look above them. “I feel like I could reach out and touch them even though I know they’re far above us.”
“I don’t really look at them anymore,” he said. “When I first joined the Guardians, I was mesmerized by them, and then they became familiar. I like seeing you enjoy them, it reminds me what a wonder they are.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“You are.”
She lowered her head, her eyes simmering with heat. “Sexy male.”
“Just for you.”
They tucked into the cheesecake and shared stories about their jobs. Her parents’ restaurant was family style, with big platters of food passed around the table, and while she didn’t have a knack for cooking, she loved spending time with people and enjoyed being a server. He told her about the few harrowing times he’d experienced Jack Frost’s evil intentions, including the time Frost focused his ice on the Portal and froze it, and the tooth fairies had shown up in force to melt it.
Long after they’d polished off the cheesecake, they remained in the garden, talking about the future and the things they’d dreamed about when they were young. He’d always wanted a big family because he was an only child, and she’d always wanted one too. The idea of half polar bear, half snowy owl kids running around made him supremely happy. He couldn’t wait to start a family with her.
His phone rang and he pulled it from his pocket, seeing a number he didn’t recognize.
“This is Winter,” he said when he answered.
“This is True’s mom, Sabine. Is she there?”
True gasped and held out her hand. He handed the phone to her, and she pressed the speaker button. “Mom! Are you guys okay?”
“We’re fine, honey. Your dad is right here.”
“Hi, hon,” her dad called.
“You’re in Northernmost? How the heck did you get that far north?”
“The storm blew me away. It had a mind of its own, I swear. Did everyone else make it to Hudson Bay?”
“We lost Eldred in the storm. Uncle Leyland sent scouts back after him when the storm moved on, and he’d been tossed by the wind into a tree. He died from his injuries.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” True said.
“You found your mate? If you’re in Northernmost, is he an elf?”
