Trull shook her head. "We don't get that cold where our water freezes like that. Shadow Rock doesn't get snow or ice. It's fascinating to think about. Walking on frozen water."
She chuckled. "I wouldn't advise you to walk on it. You're probably bound to break something."
Trull thought about it for a second. "Maybe I won't ever try it then."
"No!" She shook her head. "I would. It's really fun but just make sure to have someone with you. To help you when you fall." She watched as Trull braided her hair.
She suddenly wanted to take her and help her visit Earth. "I'll take you. We can ice skate and have hot chocolate after."
Trull tilted her head. "What's that?"
Lexi started to laugh and went into great detail about winter and getting cold. She talked about bundling up in jackets and forcing your hands into mittens. She told her all about hot chocolate and hot soups for dinner.
Trull seemed mesmerized by everything, wanting every detail about every winter activity that Lexi could think about.
"Making a snowman sounds like a long process."
"It can be," she said, watching Trull finish her braid. She stared at herself, seeing her hair done nicely for a date. It made her think about being very young again and getting excited about the idea of dating.
How she had been wrong. Dating wasn't the cool, love-growing prospect she thought it would be. If only she had only known sooner.
"What are some fun activities that you've done?" Trull asked. "I've heard about the movie theater. Imagine watching something on such a large screen."
Before she knew it, she agreed to take Trull to plenty of places. She kept all that on a bucket list. The list only seemed to grow the longer they talked. She liked talking to Trull. It was easy, and they both just clicked like they were meant to be friends.
Trull began to do her makeup, really pulling the outfit together. It made her stomach squirm with anticipation.
"What can you tell me about your King, Rao? Anything I should be concerned about?"
Trull gave her a look and a sad smile. "King Rao is a very conservative person. He keeps to himself, and he isn't someone that allows people close to him often."
She didn't like the answer. It wasn't really a solid answer to her questions. It just made her think of her ex. "So, what's he like then? Other than he keeps to himself. You work here, so you must know something."
Trull simply shrugged. "You will learn more in time."
She sighed, staring at her expression. "I've dated a lot of men like you're describing, Trull. Men that like to stay distant; men that don't allow people in. I'm rather sick of it. I want someone that will open up to me and be honest. I want someone who is real."
Trull gave her a soft smile, giving Lexi's shoulders a squeeze. "Give him a chance. You might be surprised."
Lexi kept a blank expression. She really wanted to believe in Trull's words. She wanted to think that this time would be different, but how could she? Her history always repeated itself. Whether the guy was a human or a lion shifter, they were men. And men always seemed to screw her over.
She wanted to stay positive, but she could already tell that she would be going back to Earth by the end of the month, never finding what she was looking for.
CHAPTERFIVE
RAO
Rao wanted the date to go perfectly. No, correction. Heneededthe date to go perfectly. He had a feeling she might not be as easy to sway as he'd thought. But he was at least trying. What did he have to lose?
He was planning on pulling out all the stops, having the date at the top of the castle in sight of the view of Nova Aurora. The moon would just be creeping up, so it would be a moonlit date, and he even was going to have music.
A band of musicians would play while they sat and ate a full four-course meal. He had a menu written up, and it was already being prepared. He could say he was smug, but how could she not fall in love with him?
"I want the table set up on the roof with plenty of room to spare." He looked at each of the servants wanting to make sure everyone heard him. "And I want the meal to be ready and set at exactly ten past eight, not a second later. I will not wait for this date to get moving. This means no slip-ups."
Rao crossed his arms. "I want candles lit up everywhere. When you think there are too many, throw out a few more. You can never have too many candles."
"Sir?" one of them raised a hand. "What about the band? Where would you like the band stationed?"