Chapter 58: The White Mountain/Skiing
After dressing appropriately—Gabriel in a fitted thermal jacket of deep navy, Lilith in a sleek white snowsuit that hugged her curves—the couple stepped out of the Frosted Peaks hotel into the crisp morning air.
The sky above was a clear, pale blue, the sun gleaming off the snow-covered peaks. A light breeze carried the scent of pine and fresh powder. The city of Frosthaven stirred to life around them, merchants opening their stalls, children throwing snowballs, and adventurers gathering for their daily quests.
But the couple had only one destination in mind.
The white mountain.
A sky trail—a series of enchanted lifts and suspended platforms—carried them upward, rising above the city and into the pristine wilderness. The ascent was gradual, giving them time to admire the breathtaking views. Forests of snow-laden pines stretched below, their branches heavy with white. Frozen waterfalls glittered like crystal chandeliers. In the distance, the peaks of the mountain range pierced the sky like the teeth of a sleeping giant.
Lilith leaned against Gabriel, her arm wrapped around his, her breath misting in the cold air.
"It’s beautiful," she murmured.
"It is," he agreed. "But not as beautiful as you."
She elbowed him gently. "Smooth."
"I try."
They reached the top of the sky trail, where a small wooden lodge stood, its chimney puffing smoke into the crisp air. Inside, they rented equipment—skis, poles, boots, and goggles. The attendant, a grizzled old dwarf with a thick beard, gave them a knowing look.
"First time on the mountain?" he asked.
"Far from it," Gabriel replied with a smile.
"We’ve done this before."
The dwarf grunted. "Well, be careful. The slopes are steep, and the snow is deep. Don’t get cocky."
The couple exchanged a glance. Both of them had faced dragons, demons, and ancient dungeons. A mountain slope held no fear for them.
But they nodded politely and took their equipment.
They stepped outside the lodge and onto the powder-covered slope. The mountain stretched before them, a vast expanse of white that seemed to go on forever. The sun glinted off the snow, creating a dazzling, almost blinding light. Distant peaks rose in the background, their jagged silhouettes sharp against the blue sky.
Gabriel strapped on his skis, his movements smooth and practiced. Lilith did the same, her crimson eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Remember the last time we did this?" Gabriel asked, adjusting his goggles.
"Earth," Lilith said, a smile playing on her lips.
"The Swiss Alps. You tried to show off and crashed into a tree."
"I was distracted," he said defensively. "You were wearing that red ski suit."
She laughed, the sound bright and clear in the cold air. "Excuses, excuses."
"Race you to the bottom?" he challenged.
"Loser buys dinner?"
"Deal."
They pushed off.
The wind rushed past them as they descended, the snow spraying up behind their skis in twin plumes of white. Gabriel carved a clean, elegant line down the slope, his body balanced, his movements fluid. He had always been good at this—his angelic grace translating perfectly to the slopes.
But Lilith was better.
She moved like water, weaving between the snow-covered trees, her skis barely touching the powder. She leaned into the turns, her body low and agile, her silver hair streaming behind her like a banner. She laughed as she flew past Gabriel, her crimson eyes sparkling with joy.
"Too slow, hubby!" she called over her shoulder.
Gabriel grinned and pushed harder.
They raced through the forest, dodging trees and rocks, their skis hissing against the snow. The mountain echoed with their laughter, the sound bouncing off the peaks and drifting into the clear sky.
At one point, Lilith spotted a natural jump—a small cliff of snow-covered rock—and launched herself off it without hesitation. She soared through the air, her body twisting in a graceful arc, before landing perfectly on the powder below. She glanced back at Gabriel, her expression triumphant.
Gabriel followed, his jump equally graceful, but he intentionally landed off-balance, stumbling slightly before recovering.
"Getting old?" Lilith teased.
"Distracted," he said, his eyes fixed on her.
"You’re very distracting."
She laughed and skied ahead.
They continued their playful race, weaving through the forest, carving down the slopes, occasionally stopping to admire the view or to take a sip of water from the flasks they had brought. The mountain was their playground, and they were two children at heart.
Gabriel, ever the gentleman, let her win.
Not obviously, of course. He made it look like a real competition—pushing hard, taking risks, nearly catching her multiple times. But always, at the crucial moment, he would make a tiny mistake. A slight hesitation. A turn that was just a little too wide.
Lilith, being Lilith, noticed.
"You’re letting me win," she said, pulling up beside him on a gentle slope.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about," he said innocently.
She narrowed her eyes. "You’re a terrible liar."
"I’m an archangel. I don’t lie."
"Then why did you take that turn too wide back there?"
"Snow conditions. Unpredictable."
She snorted. "Ridiculous."
But she was smiling. Because she knew—knew that he would always let her win, would always put her happiness above his own pride. It was one of the many reasons she loved him.
They reached the bottom of the slope at the same time—or rather, Lilith arrived a fraction of a second before Gabriel, her skis coming to a smooth stop in a spray of powder. Gabriel arrived just behind her, his face flushed with exertion and joy.
"I win," she declared, her chest heaving slightly.
"You win," he agreed, pulling off his goggles.
"What do you want for dinner?"
She pretended to think about it, tapping her chin with one gloved finger. "Sushi. The best sushi in the city."
"Done."
They stood there for a moment, surrounded by snow and silence, the mountain rising behind them like a sleeping giant. The sun was high overhead, casting long shadows across the powder. The air was cold, but their hearts were warm.
Lilith stepped closer, wrapping her arms around Gabriel’s neck.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"For what?"
"For always letting me win."
He smiled, pressing his forehead to hers. "I’d let you win every time, babe. Every single time."
They kissed—a soft, tender kiss that tasted of snow and joy and eternal love.
After a moment, they separated and began the ascent back up the mountain via the sky trail. The sun was beginning its slow descent, casting golden rays across the snow-covered peaks. The sky was painted in shades of orange and pink, a breathtaking sunset that seemed to have been crafted just for them.
They sat together on the platform, their skis stored beside them, their arms wrapped around each other. Lilith rested her head on Gabriel’s shoulder, her eyes half-closed, a contented smile on her lips.
"Today was perfect," she said.
"It was," he agreed.
"Can we do this again tomorrow?"
"Every day, if you want, my love."
