Where The Ice Gives Way (Charlotte and Blake) novel Chapter 167

10:57 Fri, Jul 10

Where The Ice Gives Way

Chapter 167 Princess Coded

Blake

By the time we finish with the last group, Charlotte can barely keep her eyes open. She still tries, though. That’s the problem with my

girl. She gives and gives and gives until there’s nothing left in her tank, then acts surprised when her body starts shutting down on her.

“I’ve got you, pretty girl,” I murmur as she leans into me in the middle of the now quiet corridor. Charlotte sways slightly on her feet, and

that’s enough for me. I bend and scoop her into my arms, holding her exactly where she belongs, with me. She squeaks softly, startled,

then immediately curls against my chest with a tired laugh. “Blake.”

“Nope. You’re done.”

“I can still walk.”

“You have walked enough.”

Her arms slide around my neck while I carry her out of the holding corridor and toward the stairs. Lex rumbles proudly inside me, practically preening over the fact that we get to take care of her now. The second we step outside into the cold evening air, Charlotte lifts

her head slightly.

“Blake, what about the people?” she asks, looking back toward the rehabilitation building glowing warmly across the yard. I tighten my

hold on Charlotte and start walking toward the house.

“Don’t worry about it. The pack is with them.”

She watches the building for another second before finally relaxing back against me, and the snow crunches beneath my boots as I carry her across the yard. Then, because she’s exhausted and I know exactly how to make her laugh, I break into a run.

Charlotte gasps, her hands gripping me tighter. “Blake Atlas!”

I grin and tighten my own hold before bouncing her slightly higher in my arms. “What?”

“You’re going to drop me!”

“I would never.” 1 grin, and she laughs, breathless and startled, while she clings tighter around my neck as I charge up the porch steps

and into the house.

Charlie looks up from the kitchen island when we enter, the fork going to his mouth freezing, as he points at us. “You know,” he says thoughtfully, “this would be less disgusting if you two stopped looking at each other like Disney characters.”

Charlotte throws her head back laughing while I keep walking straight past him.

10:57 Fri, Jul 10

Chapter 167 Princess Coded

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“Jealousy isn’t attractive on you, brother.” She calls over my shoulder.

I carry her all the way upstairs and into my room before setting her carefully onto the edge of the bed. The second her weight leaves may

arms, I miss it, and Lex whines in agreement.

Charlotte looks up at me through tired eyes while pushing her hair back from her face. “You know I’m a strong and independent woman.

right?”

“Mmhm.” I cross my arms and try not to laugh at her.

“And you’re acting like I’ll die if I stand up.” She cocks an eyebrow at me, but I see that smile. She can’t hide it from me. God, I love that smile. I lean down and kiss her forehead before disappearing into the bathroom. “Stay there, Ms Independent.*

“I literally wasn’t planning on moving.” She says, flopping onto her back.

I head into the bathroom and start the bath, grabbing the good bubble bath Mum bought. I dump about half of it in, and the room slowly fills with warmth, steam, and the soft scent of vanilla and lavender. I light two candles sitting near the sink, too, because I’m not above making things pretty for my girl. When I step back into the bedroom, Charlotte has curled sideways on the blankets with her eyes half closed. “Tired?” I ask quietly.

She hums something that sounds suspiciously like “always.” I walk over and hold my hands out toward her. “Come on, pretty girl.” Charlotte takes my hands and lets me pull her slowly to her feet. She sways slightly, and my grip tightens immediately around her waist.

“I’ve got you.”

“I know.” She whispers, and those words hit me right in the chest every single time. The feeling it gives me could undo the strongest of

men.

I help her out of her clothes and wrap one arm around her while guiding her into the bath. The second she sinks into the hot water, she groans softly. “Okay,” she sighs. “Maybe I was dying a little.”

“Told you,” I smirk as she slides lower into the bubbles while I drag the little stool beside the tub and sit down near her legs. One of her feet emerges from the water a second later and lands in my lap. “Demanding, aren’t you?” I tease, but take her foot into my hands

anyway.

“You love it.” She murmurs as her eyes close on a moan.

Yeah. I do. I wrap both hands around her foot and gently massage while she melts further into the bath.

Steam curls through the candlelight around us while we sit there quietly for a minute. Charlotte watches me through half–lidded eyes. “Today went well.”

“It did.”

“Did you see Daniel smiling upstairs afterwards?”

2/4

10:57 Fri, Jul 10

Chapter 167 Princess Coded

I nod slowly. “Saw him eating pie with mum like they’d known each other for years.?

Her smile softens. “And the girl with the baby?” she asks quietly,

“Freya?”

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