Baruka and his men rode their horses across the snowy wasteland. Apparently, someone had come through the portal again, which meant he needed to destroy the invaders again. ... he was starting to get tired of it.

Her voice was soft and trembling with fear and despair. He frowned at the pitiful sight she made, completely unprepared for this frozen waste. She seemed helpless, more like a victim than an aggressor. Curiosity overcame his initial hostility. "Who are you?" he asked quietly as he dismounted from his horse.

"Rina?" he repeated her name, feeling an uncharacteristic pang of pity. He kneeled in the snow beside her and carefully wrapped his cloak around her shivering form. "What are you doing here? You're far from home."

Her features were delicate and pretty despite the fear on her face. It was strange; she looked so fragile, yet he had never encountered anyone who could withstand such cold without proper protection. He found himself wanting to know more about this woman and her world.

"I see," he murmured, studying her face carefully. He couldn't help but feel a mixture of concern and confusion. "Portals..." he muttered more to himself than to her, remembering the endless stream of intruders that had come through them over the last few months. The fact that she was the first one who didn't seem intent on harming him made her all the more curious. "Where do you come from, Rina?" he asked gently.

Her tears tugged at something inside him; a strange, foreign sensation of protectiveness. It was unsettling but not entirely unwelcome. He'd never had such feelings toward someone who wasn't family or one of his own subjects before. Perhaps it was the contrast between her delicate appearance and the harsh environment that surrounded them, or maybe it was simply because she seemed so helpless and alone in this frozen world. Whatever the

Rina shook with cold as she struggled to explain her situation. The name "Ristol" meant nothing to him, and he suspected it was yet another world connected to this one by some unseen force. He felt a pang of guilt, knowing that she'd been pulled from her home into this frozen wasteland through no fault of her own.

His curiosity getting the better of him, he asked, "Would you like to stay with me until you can find your way back?" His offer sounded more sincere than he'd intended; perhaps it was simply because she seemed so helpless and vulnerable in front of him. But the thought of letting her return to whatever world she'd come from made his heart ache with a strange, unfamiliar sensation.

"Very well," he murmured softly as he gently lifted her into his arms. The warmth of his body seemed to envelop her like a shield against the biting cold wind, and for a moment she looked up at him with an expression of such gratitude that it made his heart skip a beat. He couldn't deny the strange sense of protectiveness he felt toward this fragile creature, nor did he really want to try.

"Come," he said reassuringly as he began leading her back toward his ice castle. "I will make sure you are warm and safe until we can figure out how to send you home." The journey would not be easy; the wind howled and the temperature continued to drop, but with each step he took, he felt a growing determination to keep his promise to Rina. Even if it meant risking his own life in the process.

As they walked through the snowy wasteland toward his ice castle, he could feel her shivering body pressing against his own. He wrapped his cloak more tightly around her, careful not to press too hard so as to hurt her delicate skin. Despite the frigid air, he felt a strange warmth spread through him at her closeness, almost as if she were bringing some semblance of life and hope back into this frozen world.

He wondered what kind of world Ristol was; would it be anything like his own? Would she ever be able to find peace there after all that she'd been through? So many questions swirled in his mind, but for now, he focused on the gentle beat of her heart against his chest and the softness of her breath against his neck. Perhaps this unlikely encounter would bring about a change - not just for Rina, but for himself as well.

Her closeness unsettled him in ways he couldn't quite understand, but the feeling was far from unwelcome. The softness of her skin against his own sent shivers down his spine as they continued their journey back to his ice castle, each step heavier with anticipation and curiosity. As they drew nearer, he could make out the familiar shapes of guards posted at the gates, watching their approach with cautious eyes.

"Open the gates!" he called out, his voice ringing across the snowy plain. "It's the king!" The massive doors creaked open slowly, revealing a group of weary soldiers who stared at him in wonder as they saw Rina curled up against his chest. He suspected the tale of their encounter would be discussed for years to come within these hallowed halls.

As they passed through the gates and into the warmth of his ice castle, he felt Rina's shivering subside slightly. He carried her inside and gently set her down on a soft fur-covered bench near the fireplace. "There," he said quietly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You'll be warm now."

It was strange to see someone so out of place in his frozen domain, but there was something about Rina that made him feel protective and curious. Perhaps it was her vulnerability or the stark contrast between their worlds. As she sat by the fire, he couldn't help but wonder what would become of her after they found a way to send her back home. Would she ever be able to return to her life as if nothing had happened?

He cleared his throat and said softly, "Perhaps once we've ensured your safety, you could tell me more about your world... and how it is that you ended up here?" The offer wasn't as smooth or confident as he would have liked, but it was a start.

He nodded in understanding and smiled reassuringly before excusing himself to find her some dry clothes. His servants had been through warmer times, but they should have enough suitable garments for Rina. When he returned with an armful of feminine attire, he found her still sitting by the fire, her eyes locked on the dancing flames. She looked up at him meekly as he approached, and he tried not to let his growing admiration show in his expression.

"Here,"

he said softly, extending an arm full of clothes toward her.

"These should fit you better than your current garb."

Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the quality of the clothing; it was clear they were made for someone far more accustomed to warmth and comfort. He smiled gently and added,

"Please, feel free to borrow them until we can find a way home."

He gestured to one of the nearby chambers. "This way," he said quietly, leading her through a set of ornate double doors into a spacious room filled with luxurious furs and warming devices. There was an alcove near the back containing a large, wooden dresser adorned with beautifully crafted drawers, each one fashioned from exotic woods and polished to a high shine. "Please," he said, indicating the dresser. "You can change here in privacy."

He waited patiently as she disappeared behind the screen of fabric draped across the open dresser, allowing her some modesty during this intimate moment. The sound of rustling cloth filled the air as she changed, and after what seemed like an eternity, she emerged from behind the screen, looking every bit the part of a queen in exile. Her new attire fit her perfectly, accentuating

He gestured to the carved wooden chair standing near the window, its seat cushion made of plumped velvet and embroidered with delicate snowflakes. "You may sit there while you remove your wet boots," he suggested gently. Once she was settled in the chair, he knelt before her and carefully took her sodden shoes from her numb hands, setting them aside to dry by the fireplace.

"There," he said with a reassuring smile, his voice warm and caring despite the cold air filling the room. "That should help you feel more comfortable." He held out his hand, offering her a pair of soft slippers embroidered with fur that would keep her feet toasty even in the harshest winter weather.

"These should be warmer," he said simply before she could protest. It was important for him that Rina felt safe and cared for while she

His heart ached at her words, and he could feel a lump forming in his throat. He wanted nothing more than to make her feel safe and protected, to help her find her way back home where she belonged. "You're welcome," he said quietly, reaching out to gently caress her cheek with the back of his knuckles. "And I promise that I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety until we can send you back."

Their gazes locked for a moment, and Baruka found himself wishing that things could be different; that she didn't have to return to whatever fate awaited her on the other side of the portal. But he knew better than anyone that reality was harsh and unforgiving, and sooner or later she would have no choice but