The Frozen Hell did honor its name, as soon they set foot in the mountain range. Which was just behind the Dreadful Channel, when a snow storm hit. Tamora had put on her gloves, but still she could feel the cutting cold on her skin.

"We need to find cover, otherwise we will die in this storm." He said. She didn't answer him, afraid that her voice would die down in the wind. Instead of that she grabbed his hand. He looked at her and nodded, he had his answer. She would follow his lead in almost everything. He had being here before, so he would know this kind of things. It took a lot of effort to get to a cave, and even then they were not sure if the cave was safe enough to hide in. But it was empty for now, and it had to do. The tiger family followed soon after, the parents lay themselves down at the entrance of the cave. The little one ran towards them and started to head bud her legs.

"Hello sweetheart." She said softly and started to pet the little tiger.

"You know it is a wild animal right. No kitten, or house cat." He said, oh how he wanted to give her something like that to her. Something she could raise and call her own. Something they both could raise, he quickly added. Something so normal and for them right now not possible. He wanted to say all this to her and more, but the words didn't leave his lips. As he watched her petting that little fluffy head.

"I know that, but he is so cute. And besides that I now can check his wound." She said while looking at one of the little tiger's legs. There was nothing he could see, and apparently she didn't see something either. "That is strange, I would swear that there was a wound on that leg." And he believed her.

"Maybe it is already healed." He said, and she shook her head.

"I do not even see a trace from the wound." She said and that was indeed strange. But after he had seen the little tiger, he was not sure if that is something he should be surprised over. "Well at least that means that he is not bothered by it." He nodded and walked further into the cave. It was not large and was except for the opening closed off. The dark gray, almost black stone painted a bleak picture. It was cold in here, but not as cold as outside the cave. Figures the wind had no excess to this cave. But Tamora still shivered.

"Come here." He said wrapping his arms around her, sharing his body heat with her.

"T-t-thank y-y-ou." She said, she almost ducked into him. Wrapping her arms around his waist, again almost chocking him. But he didn't mind, she was freezing and if this would comfort her... Also, it was a nice chance to get close to her. He smiled and lay his head on hers.

"Feeling better?" He asked and she wanted to nod. He could feel it, but instead she shook her head.

"Y-y-y-ou didn't j-j-oke, ab-ou- ou-t the c-c-co-ld." She said, and he started to rub his gloved hands over her arms. But she didn't stop shivering. They had no wood to make a fire.

"Tamora, I know away to keep you warmer. But I am afraid you will not like it." He said and she looked at him. The questioning look in her eyes spoke volumes. She knew what he was thinking, and he was indeed right she didn't like it. But what other choice did they have. She nodded and started to undress herself.

"B-b-but, I w-w-ill keep m-y un-under-we-we-ar on." She said and he nodded. If that made her feel more comfortable than it was fine by him. As long, she didn't get sick or worse. He started to pull off his clothing, except for his pants. And he again wrapped himself around her, she felt like a living icicle. He started to rub her skin with his bare hands. First as soft as possible, he didn't want to scare her. But when that was not working, he put some force into it. Still she kept on shivering. "Am I go-going to d-ie?" She asked, her chattering teeth were slowing down a little. That was a good sign, at least he hoped.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Not if I can help it." He said, and he pushed himself closer to her. He meant it, he didn't want her to lose a life. But she needed to get warm and soon, otherwise she would lose a life. He closed his eyes and sighed. "Kiss me." He said, desperation was audible in his voice. He knew that she heard that, and he hated himself for not hiding his fear better. "I'm grabbing at straws here." She nodded and pushed herself up, so that she could reach his lips. The kiss was just like the one before, soft and tender. Without any promise for more, but then she started to change that. It became one with some kind of need, the need to get warm, maybe. But he answered his own need, pushing her chest to his, his hands rubbing over her skin. Her hands started to do the same thing on his skin. "Tamora, if you do not stop..." He growled softly. He was sure that she got the message, but still she didn't stop, and neither did he.

*******

Orisino woke up slightly over her, their bare skin touching each other. Small bolts of desire shot between them, but she was fast asleep. He smiled when he thought back, he had showed her as much compassion as he could. He pushed himself slightly up, the tigers were still lying in front of the cave entrance. It was good to know that they were well guarded. At least for now. He stood up, Tamora shivered. But he would return as quick as he could, he went towards the tigers and kneeled down by the father.

"Thank you for keeping an eye out for use. But after this cave you and your family need to go back. Where we are going is not a safe place, not for use. And specially not for your little boy." He said, and the father tiger looked at him. Orisino could swear that the tiger nodded. As if the animal understood him. "Again thanks." And he walked back to Tamora. He lay a hand on her shoulder, but what would he call her? Sweetheart, darling, or just by her name? He didn't know. "Tamora." Her name, apparently. She opened her eyes, and smiled at him. "The storm has lied down, and we need to go." She pushed herself upright and looked at the entrance. There lay a thick layer of snow outside, but there was no more howling of the wind.

"Alright." She said, and started to grab for her clothes. Which lay in a pile, together with his own clothes. She threw what was his towards him, he caught it without any difficulty. He tried to make eye contact with her, but she looked towards the ground. That made him slightly terrified.

"Are you mad?" He asked. She shook her head, still he was not able to breath. Not yet at least. "Are you having regrets?" He had warned her, but still he would hate himself if he went too far.

"No." She said softly, but still she didn't look him in the eye.

"Then what is it. Please sweetheart." O now he was calling her sweetheart. "Tell me what is bordering you. I would hate myself if I did something to upset you." He pleaded. Really was he really pleading? Where was this all coming from? He did not know, he never pleaded with anybody before. And he never has felt this type of insecure before.

"There is nothing wrong, I am just thinking." She said. He looked at her, thinking about what. He could guess, but he really didn't want to. "I am just thinking about where this leaves us, are we now lovers, or friends with benefits." He frowned. Those are good questions, and he was not sure how to answer this.

"Why do we need a name for that?" He then said. "Yes we had sex, something wed both wanted. I hope." He said, really hoping that he was right about that. "If you are not comfortable putting a label on this, then we don't." She nodded and then looked him in the eye.

"Sorry." She said and he shook his head. There was nothing she needed to be sorry for. He told her that, she went over to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Did you not just tell me that we needed to go?" He nodded and started to put on his pants.

"I have thanked the tigers for guarding use, but I also asked them to leave. It is a dangerous path, for use. But more so for the little one." He said, and he nodded with his head to the adult tigers. She nodded, and sighed.

"That is good." She said and he could hear her voice tighten. She really had fallen in love with the little tiger.

"I am sorry, sweetheart." He said. "But it is for the best." She nodded again. She walked towards the little tiger and petted him on the head.

"Goodbye little one." She said, and she stepped out of the cave.