After cuddling a while longer, the two finally parted.
Tian Chen was smoothing the Snow Empress's slightly mussed hair when he heard rustling from the stone bed.
They exchanged a glance, both catching a hint of panic in the other's eyes, and hurriedly adjusted their positions to make the scene look a little less "out of control."
The Ice Empress sat up, rubbing her eyes, her emerald hair a little disheveled. Still bleary with sleep, she looked toward the inner room. "Xue'er? Xiao Chen? Why are you..."
Her words trailed off as her gaze swept over their slightly unnatural expressions and the sight of them sharing a stone bed.
The Snow Empress's hand paused. She glanced at Tian Chen and found him smiling at her. Taking a deep breath, she simply said in a calm voice, "Nothing. We talked rather late last night, so Tian Chen... didn't go back."
"Oh!" the Ice Empress replied innocently. Without asking anything else, she rubbed her eyes and threw back the covers. "Then I'll go out for some fresh air. You two hurry up and get ready, too." Slipping on her shoes, she shuffled outside, her emerald hair swaying in light, lively arcs in the morning sunlight. Clearly, she had believed every word.
Only when the ice house's door closed softly did the Snow Empress breathe a sigh of relief. She turned and glared at Tian Chen. "Still smiling! If Bing'er had noticed anything just now, how was I supposed to explain it to her?"
She reached out and gave his arm a pinch, neither hard nor gentle. The flush had yet to fade from her face, but her voice was full of reproach.
Tian Chen caught her hand and leaned closer to beg forgiveness. "All right, Sister Xue, I'll stop smiling. But Bing'er