Valeriana did not know how to react when Aneeka handed her a knapsack full of her clothes. These were her warm ones in particular—jacket, and the favorite trench coat of hers along with some jeans. The tenth also carried Tamara's, Genevieve's, and Elfre's clothes with her while Rowe and the other boys were responsible for bringing the ones for Corvan's, Charles's, and the list went on.

The reason for this was because Prelurésia was the coldest in comparison to all the other continents. The seaside town still felt warm due to the fact that its geographical location was farther from north than the rest of Prelurésia—but even then, the air already felt chilly. Charles chose the place for such reasons so that they would be able to make the necessary preparations for the journey rather than abruptly subject themselves to the cold weather. If they were to dock on another port, the tendency of catching a cold was high.

Even so, donned in their winter attire, the Twelve looked much different than normal.

Corvan looked magnificent in his animal skin winter coat trimmed with white fur. The emerald hue of his eyes was further emphasized by the light color of his skin, hair, and clothes. In fact, if he were to walk on a snowy terrain with fresh, white buds of snow falling in the background, he would sure look like he was modeling for a magazine for some winter fashion line.

Valeriana didn't exactly know what she was thinking. But, if she was to make a Hollywood reference, Corvan sure did look very much like Orlando Bloom when he starred as Legolas Greenleaf in The Lord of the Rings. With his long hair and such charisma . . . no wonder he seemed like a star.

Still, Corvan had a very unique aura about him. Even Orlando Bloom himself was no match for his inimitable way of projecting himself. The first-ranker was already blessed in the looks and talent department. He came from a good family and was well-bred. Perhaps his only flaw was the lack of a good attitude. Looking at him . . . he was almost perfect.

Charles was discussing things with Rowe and Corvan beside one of the coaches they would be riding. It must be something serious considering the look on their faces. Still . . . why do Valemnians have to look so good?!

The horses weren't really the usual ones Valeriana typically saw every day. They had fur-coated hooves and a particularly sturdy build. The manes on their necks were thick as well. Perhaps they were horses meant for winter? Charles did mention something about them being only found in Prelurésia. Winter horses?

"Hey, why are you off staring into space?" Asked Tamara inquiringly, stopping beside the girl. She looked to where Valeriana was looking before suddenly smiling. "Staring at Corvan, huh?" She teased.

Valeriana pulled on the collar of the baby-blue trench coat she was wearing over her jacket and looked up at the redhead with a glare. "I wasn't." She seethed, unable to think of a good excuse to cover up the fact that was ogling the guy she hated the most.

"Deeenniaalllll!" Tamara sang. "It's obvious you like each other, so don't even try to deny it."

"Are you freaking crazy?" Valeriana growled at her. "Do you even know what you're talking about?"

Tamara, with her tanned complexion from the continuous exposure to the sun, did not first suit the image of winter. In Valeriana's opinion, she looked better basking under the glaring sun with a searing desert under her feet. But, contrary to her expectations, the winter getup fitted her perfectly. Perhaps it was because of her blue eyes.

The third-ranker merely laughed at her remark and said, "I know what I'm talking about perfectly. The question is . . . are you?"

Valeriana could only quirk a brow at her reply. "Come again?"

Tamara rolled her eyes and blew a fiery red strand out of her face. "Never mind. I just came to give you something."

"What is it?"

"Since you look a bit out of place with those clothes of yours, a little furry addition might help." She winked.

The fifth-ranker gazed at her questioningly, her azure blue eyes blinking up at the third. Tamara just smiled at her before taking out something furry from behind her. Valeriana was barely even to register what just occurred until it dawned on her that Tamara was presenting her a gift. The third-ranker gingerly wrapped a furry scarf around her neck, laughing.

"Hey, we aren't in the cold parts yet!" Yelled Valeriana. "I'll get too hot." She muttered, brushing the velvety softness against her cheeks. It felt so comfortable. "But I feel bad for the animal you got this from."

"Don't you remember what Charles said? We don't have time to change when the weather gets cold along the way, so we have to change now."

"Right." She smiled. "Thank you very much, though! It's very pretty."

"Just thought I should help you out with something."

"For what?" Valeriana asked.

Tamara whistled. "Nothing."

"Oh, hey. Are you already done preparing?" Aneeka asked, appearing newly dressed in her emerald coat.

The third-ranker turned towards the newcomer. "As ready as we'll ever be!"

"Well, that's good. I really can't wait to leave already." Aneeka answered.

As Valeriana opened her mouth to reply, an echoing voice calling out her name made her freeze on the spot.

"Valeriana!"

Tamara and Aneeka questioningly turned towards the source to find Zion jogging towards them. Exchanging glances and quirking their brows questioningly, they turned towards Valeriana only to find her running straight for the nearest coach and hopping in.

"Go away!"

"Wait a moment!"

She slammed the door shut behind her. The girl then breathed out heavily as she tipped her head back against the wall of the ride, collapsing on the nearest seat. She stayed like that for a few moments until she saw movements from the corner of her eyes. Moving her gaze downwards from the ceiling to the person in front of her, she met Brindon's imperturbable gaze with her own.

She squeaked in surprise. "Jesus!"

She didn't even sense him there!

Brindon then nonchalantly replied, "My name's Brindon."

Valeriana panted, placing a hand over her erratically beating heart. "You scared the heck out of me, you know. Say something next time, will you?"

Moments after, she heard Tamara speaking to Zion outside.

"It looks like she doesn't want to see you."

"But I—"

"Uh-uh. No. I know what you're going to say. Go to the other carriage or something."

"I just—"

"Shh. Now shoo."

There was silence right after.

"So . . ." Valeriana started, itching to talk about something instead of simply sitting in one place awkwardly. "How's it going?" She stupidly asked.

Brindon gazed at her. "Fine."

So the conversation ended as fast as it started.

"I'm glad you're fine though." He suddenly said.

Valeriana raised a brow at this. "What?"

He didn't repeat what he said, instead, she was able to make out a small twitch on his lips. She wasn't sure if she saw what she saw since the space within the coach was quite dim. The only sources of light were the small windows on the doors on either side of the vehicle.

Was that his version of a smile?

Valeriana blinked, unsure.

The door cracked open so suddenly and Tamara entered with a big smile. "Well, well, what do we have here? Getting cozy, are you? Well, do that later 'cuz we're leaving!"

Valeriana noticed Aneeka from the corner of her eyes looking as though she was fighting the urge to bang her head against something while Brindon, on the other hand, remained apathetic. He never ceased to amaze Valeriana. How could he be so . . . indifferent?

Tamara took a big step to enter the coach but paused. "On second thought, it's boring having to sit back here. I'll drive instead!" She stepped back and happily marched her way to the driver's seat. "Hey, you!"

"Oh, in the name of the—" Aneeka paled.

"Um . . ."

"Stop right there!" She roared. "Don't even dare think about it!"

"What are you doing?! Let me go!"

Keelan came skipping towards them later, only to see Aneeka pulling Tamara by the arm in an attempt to drag her away from the coach. The driver looked more than confused watching the poor tenth wrestle the third. He didn't know whether to try and separate the two or remain in neutral waters. However, he knew better than to come in between the two of them. He didn't stand a chance.

"What's going on?" Asked Keelan.

"I think Aneeka's trying to stop Tamara from driving." Valeriana answered, her head poking out of the window.

Keelan looked startled, his forest-green eyes widened and his mouth dropped open in horror. "Oh, oh! That's no good then!"

Before Valeriana could even reply, Keelan made a run for the two and clamped his arms around Tamara's waist as well. "Stop it, Tamara! Please!" Keelan pleaded.

Tamara continued to struggle. "What's up with you people? I just said that I—"

"You are going nowhere near the driver's seat." Aneeka said, tugging on the redhead's arm.

"I am. Going. To. Drive." Tamara emphasized each word to them.

"NO!" The other two answered in unison.

Valeriana's face was twisted in confusion. "What's wrong about Tamara driving?"

"You won't even want her to hold the reigns." Aneeka answered, grunting as she tried to keep Tamara in place. "Last time we allowed her to take control, she crashed into a tree."

"What?"

Brindon rose from his seat and wordlessly got off the vehicle. Valeriana thought that maybe this was his way of saying 'If she will be driving, I'm out of here' since he never really spoke much.

While he was stepping out, the commotion must've caught the attention of the others as Charles, Corvan and Rowe approached the scene. Keelan could not look more relieved when he saw their faces.

"What's this all about?" Charles demanded.

"Tamara's trying to drive again!" He exclaimed.

"Drive?" Rowe repeated.

"Oh, for the love of . . ." The fourth-ranker sighed exasperatedly. "Have you not learned your lesson yet, Tamara?"

"Lesson?" Tamara grunted, trying to break free of their hold over her. "I don't remember taking any classes. Now let me go or all hell breaks loose."

"Hell will break loose if we let you go." Aneeka replied.

Valeriana's mouth fell open.

"Stop it, Tamara!"

"Yes, stop it." The third hissed at the two of them. "Or I swear you two'll get hurt."

"I'll warn you, Tamara. Back down or I'll—"

"Or you'll what? Throw your books at me? Oh, come on, Charles! What's wrong with me driving?" She told them. "You should be grateful I'm even volunteering to—"

"Nobody wants you driving. Now, back. Down." He emphasized the last two words with a threatening edge.

Tamara glared at him. "No. When I said I'm driving, I'm driving."

Charles eyed her with equal force. "Why are you so stubborn? What is there to it to driving, for Pete's sake?"

"It's fun." Tamara huffed as she looked away, too prideful to obey.

"It's fun crashing into god-knows-what?" He argued.

"Hmph."

He sighed. "It seems I no longer have any choice." Charles walked over to them. "You asked for this, Tamara."

The third-ranker seemed to have caught on to what he's planning as she put in more effort in struggling. Knowing Tamara, she could easily break free. However, she might've been holding herself back since she didn't want to hurt the two.

"Oh, you do not even dare, Charles." The redhead seethed at him.

With a cunning smirk, the fourth-ranker leaned forward so that he was gazing straight into Tamara's spirited eyes face to face. The tips of their noses were practically touching at the close proximity of their faces.

Valeriana practically jumped on her seat as she watched the scene unfold before her, unsure of the fourth's plans. "C-Charles?"

He then slowly tilted his head to the right and placed his mouth next to her ear.

"Don't you da—"

"Andanum feim veriscus." He mouthed the words like enchantment.

Tamara went as still as a rock, her every muscle freezing in the midst of their activity. Her blue eyes themselves stopped their miniscule movements and stared blankly into space. The expression on her face fell and became neutral, making her seem as though she was a robot whose system got turned off.

As Valeriana turned to the man to ask, he turned to her instead and said, "You cannot underestimate the power of the Ancient Language. Sometimes, words spoken in its form can turn to strong enchantments that affect vulnerable souls."

Although she hardly understood what he meant, she decided it was better not to ask about the issue any further. "Okay? What will happen to Tamara then?"

"She'll be fine. She'll just feel stiff after she comes to."

"I . . . see."

"Now let's get going. Into the coaches everyone."

Valeriana watched Charles and the others mount into the separate rides prepared for them. She saw Courtney with Zion, and the twins while Aneeka went with Rowe, Elfre and Charles. There was a minor disagreement between the last of the Twelve regarding who would be sharing the ride together.

"I don't want to sit in the same space as him!" Keelan childishly whined while pointing at Raziel.

"What's wrong with sitting with me?" Raziel bit back. "Anyone who sits with me feels honored to—

"That's exactly why, you know! You keep on talking about yourself that the topic's overused!" He argued. "You're so boring! I'm going to sit with Valeriana."

"What in the world is up with these people?" The fifth-ranker murmured as she watched the two argue dubiously. Charles and Tamara's just finished, and now this? Did they even want to leave?

As Keelan made a move to ride the same coach as Valeriana, Raziel's hand shot out and grabbed him by the collar. The sixth-ranker held the poor boy in place, preventing him from advancing any further. Brindon, who was holding a frozen Tamara by his side, watched the two bicker.

"Who said I'm boring?" Raziel asked him. "Say that again and I swear to the most powerful of all beings in the divine plane of the heavens that I will sew your mouth together with a sword!"

"Swords have no eyes like needles!" Keelan sarcastically replied.

"Why you—"

It took five full minutes to settle everything and it was only because Corvan wordlessly got into the same coach as Valeriana and slammed the door shut behind him, leaving the remaining four outside to share the last of the coaches together.

"Make up your mind." Brindon said, pulling Tamara with him as he made a move to ride the last coach.

Keelan attempted to run towards Valeriana's coach when Raziel pulled him with him and followed Brindon, making the eleventh-ranker whine all the way in protest.

"I don't want to sit with you!"

"I do not understand the reason why you refuse to sit with me! I'll teach you that it's a pleasure more than anything else!"

"I don't want to be taught! Let me go!"

Corvan sat next to Valeriana, sighing heavily. He could still hear the two outside. It made his head pound as his annoyance rocketed.

"What are you doing here?" Valeriana raised her brows at him.

"They left me with no choice." The first-ranker directed his gaze into hers. "Why? Do you think only you have the right to ride on this coach?"

"Yeah, yeah. I get that. But why here?" She asked.

"I have no desire to mingle with troublesome people." He answered tiredly.

"Didn't you say so yourself? That I'm a 'troublesome wench' as well?"

"You're still troublesome." He told her. "Don't take it the wrong way."

She chose not to answer. He didn't seem to be in a mood to start an argument. Again.

Was it going to be like this all the way to Loquin? Why did Corvan choose to ride with her anyway? Well, he must be annoyed.

The coach was yanked forward gently, signaling the beginning of their journey—for the umpteenth time.

Finally. She thought.

Valeriana threw a glance at Corvan's direction, feeling uncomfortable once again with the current situation she was in. The sound of the horses' footfalls from outside was the only thing that ruined the silence between the two, seeing as neither of them knew what to say.

The opened her mouth to say something, but stopped and decided against it.

There was nothing to talk about—nothing at all they should bicker and argue about as well.

Well, how weird.

It wasn't Valeriana to keep quiet. She was the type of person who had a bad habit of running her mouth, especially at times when it required her to deliver a long speech depending on the topic and situation at hand—which happened quite often. She usually had to talk a lot whenever she was around Corvan, biting back witty remarks during their arguments. She never met a person who was so full of himself before that bickering with him seemed to be the only way of venting out her frustrations . . . other than wrestling with him, of course. Her words were her best weapon, seeing as she was neither very skilled in fighting with swords and such nor was she initially able to wield any form of power control. Her tongue was sharper than any blade—magical or not.

Why did Corvan even have to sit with her of all people? She could be laughing about random things with Keelan right now. If only Raziel didn't take the poor boy with him to 'teach him'. Should she have helped Keelan, she wondered?

Before she knew it, the ticking seconds turned to minutes, and minutes turned to hours. After travelling for a considerable time on the road, neither of the two showed any signs of talking.

Did they run out of things to argue about? She wondered. It really was out of ordinary for the both of them to keep silent when in each other's presence.

The temperature dropped a few degrees on the way. Sure thing was it got colder that wearing the trench coat over a jacket proved practically useless in keeping warm. Corvan looked unfazed, though. Valeriana would've believed that he was unaffected if it wasn't for the cloud of mist that puffed out from his mouth and nose.

The heat he was emanating made Valeriana want to scoot closer, but the awkwardness of doing it stopped her. He sure had the blessing of being born with element of fire. No matter the environment, he would be able to keep himself warm and probably avoid frostbite.

Feeling bored of the current atmosphere, Valeriana decided to pull the curtains of the windows aside and look out into the wilderness after pushing open the locked glass. What she saw made her gasp that Corvan looked her way to see what just happened. Seeing her sticking her head out of the window like a child made him want to roll his eyes. He smirked nevertheless.

The cold, chilly air made a disturbing brush against her face, causing her cheeks and nose to redden—if they weren't red from the very beginning. Nevertheless, the pure white buds of snow falling softly from the sky were beautiful. Add in the fact that they were treading a snow-covered track within a forest of trees whose branches were covered in frost.

It reminded her so much of White Christmas back home . . . with the beautiful pine trees whose bountiful branches were covered in a heap of snow. How she and Jareth used to make snowmen and snow angels during the season. If not, they would both be under the blankets, sipping hot chocolate from their favorite mugs. Jareth often had five consecutive drinks to himself in one go before running repeatedly to the comfort room hours later to relieve himself.

Just reminiscing about the past made her giggle and smile to herself.

She stayed like that for a few moments until she felt too cold. Valeriana closed the thick blinds, locked the windows again, and relaxed on her seat.

"You look happy seeing snow." Corvan said.

Shocked that he decided to speak, she answered, "Yeah. Well . . . I have a lot of happy memories during Christmas Eve. I had a lot of fun with snow back then. Especially when I was young."

He looked helluva confused by the mention of Christmas but did not comment on it. "I see."

"What about you?" She asked.

Corvan looked ahead, silent.

When he refused to answer, she smiled. "Is this your first time in a cold weather?"

"If judging by the seasons, Arlandia would be considered as the 'Land of Summer'." He answered. "We have average rainfall, but never snow. Our seasons are mostly only dry and wet."

"Oh, that's right. So that means . . ."

He didn't reply.

Valeriana laughed. "So how's the weather?" She teased. "I bet you're freezing your butt over there."

Corvan growled. "Don't make me regret ever telling you."

"But, really. Are you feeling cold?"

"I'll live." His breath came out foggy as he snarled.

"You know, you'll get colder if you simply sit in one place." She advised. "It's better to move around occasionally."

"That doesn't make any sense." He said. "Doesn't 'staying in one place' mean you're conserving body heat?"

"Just trust me." Valeriana insisted. "Unless you have a better idea. Sitting in front of the fire would've actually been a good idea. It'll be cozy too. Problem is we don't have that kind of luxury."

"Sitting in front of a fire?" He asked, brows rising.

"Yup. One of the best experiences during winter while all covered up in blankets and drinking hot chocolate." She cheerfully told him. "Gosh, what I wouldn't give to experience it over again."

Corvan smiled. It was a smile that was genuine but said he was up to something.

"Well, then." He confidently chuckled.

Valeriana stared at him suspiciously. "You're not planning to burn down this coach, are you?"

He merely held out his palm in front of him, causing the girl to scoot away from him in caution. It didn't take long before a bright, red flame of fire materialized out of nowhere, lively dancing on his very hands. It casted a beautiful, flickering light show before the both of them. The heat it radiated also made the space within the coach much more comfortable and cozy.

"Are you going to hold your hand out like that the rest of the way?" Valeriana asked.

"Of course not." Corvan answered.

To Valeriana's disappointment, he closed his hands, therefore extinguishing the fire—or so she thought. As the flames disappeared, the heat vanished along with it, allowing the coldness from outside to penetrate the horse-drawn vehicle they rode on.

The disappointment the girl felt didn't last long, however, when Corvan opened his palm once again. Instead of the fire from before, a ball floated in its place. It gave off an ample amount of heat like any fire, but this took the form of some sort of . . . magic ball?

"By compressing the energy of an element into a tight space, the result is this. This works out only mostly with fire, though." He explained. "It should last a few hours. It'll burn itself out right after."

"That's really so cool." She murmured. "And it's . . . well, pretty."

Corvan did not answer.

The ball flew off from his hand but remained suspended in the air.

"Is it alright to . . . um . . . warm up with it?"

"Warm up?"

"You know . . . warm up and stuff."

His confusion and the fact that he didn't seem to have gotten what she was trying to say made her sigh. Instead of trying to explain herself any further, she held her hands out and warmed them up by the floating ball in front of them.

At her actions, he finally understood.

"You know, I'm somewhat glad you sat with me here for some reason. I have my own portable fireplace. Man, I bet everyone else will be jealous."

"Your 'portable fireplace', you say?" Corvan frowned. "I am no 'portable fireplace'."

"Just one of the many names you have on you now." She laughed.

"Don't make me remove the ball." The first-ranker warned.

She eyed him, smile faltering. "You wouldn't dare."

"I would."

"You wouldn't." She repeated. "If you do, I won't only be the one who'll freeze my butt in here."

That silenced him.

The heat was enjoyable to Valeriana. She spent minutes gazing into the beautiful ball of light with a contented look on her face, feeling as though she could live her entire life doing so.

For once, Corvan was useful.

"This is nice, isn't it?" She whispered.

"What is nice?"

"Just sitting here, all cozy and warm while the snow falls outside."

Corvan huffed. "You should be grateful I'm here."

"I am for the first time." Valeriana grinned. "Seems like you're actually useful some other way."

"What? So you're seeing me as a tool for comfort?"

"Maybe. It seemed to me that all you're ever good at was pissing me off."

"Same goes for you."

"Whatever. At least you're not greedy as you're arrogant."

They then fell silent once more.

For the girl, the warmth and comfort offered by the ball made her quite drowsy. The coziness of the atmosphere always made her fall asleep ever since she was young. Her father, Janus, often had to carry her to her room afterwards.

Valeriana yawned.

"You're sleepy?" Corvan asked.

Now that he noticed, he did also feel somewhat sleepy as well.

Valeriana shook her head. "No . . ."

In contrast to her words, however, her lids started to drop. She tried to lift them, but the heaviness seemed too much for her to handle. She was losing her balance from where she was seated. Her head, as well, went limp and hung loosely on her neck.

Corvan was dumbfounded by how easily she fell asleep in a matter of minutes—seconds even.

"I . . . uh . . ." She murmured.

Half-way asleep, rather.

She jolted awake when she practically fell over.

"Psshh." Corvan snorted.

Valeriana glared at him through her lashes. "I was just . . . looking at something on the floor."

As if that excuse was believable. It was amusing by how much Valeriana tried to cover up for herself despite how much it was already obvious.

She yawned once more. "I'm not sleepy at all."

"Like I will believe that."

Nevertheless, she fell asleep anyway.

What shocked Corvan was when Valeriana's head dropped on his shoulder. Her soft snores reached his ears along with her even breathing. He tried to get her off, but she always fell back to her initial position before he moved her.

Because of his futile efforts, he decided to try and wake her up instead.

"Hey, Valeriana." He shook her by the shoulder.

"Come on, mom. It's Saturday." She muttered.

Frustrated for even trying, he heavily exhaled.

He sat there and waited for the time when she would wake up. But it didn't come soon as he expected. Instead, he never realized when he fell asleep as well.

Ah, the wonders of life.