Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Noelle
The plane touched down at Keflavik International Airport as evening fell. Stepping out of the cabin, a chilling wind laced with the salty tang of the Atlantic hit me full force.
I shivered, instinctively hugging my arms tight.
A heavy coat suddenly draped over my shoulders. Kholod's movement was a bit stiff, like he wasn't used to gestures like this. "Put it on," he said, his tone still carrying that commanding edge, but his eyes betrayed an awkward hint of concern.
"Thanks." I pulled it close, a warmth blooming in my chest.
His coat was massive, practically swallowing me whole. The sleeves dangled way past my hands—I had to roll them up to free my fingers. It still carried his scent, that familiar mix of cedar and tobacco.
"Let's go." He reached out as if to take my hand but hesitated mid-air, then just strode ahead. "The car's waiting outside."
Watching that rigid gesture, I couldn't help but find it oddly amusing. This man who called the shots in Philadelphia, fumbling over something as simple as holding hands.
We checked into a boutique hotel near Vik Town—the spot I'd highlighted in my guide, right by the black sand beach, ideal for catching the northern lights and exploring nearby attractions.
Kholod flipped through my thick guidebook, a subtle note of surprise in his voice. "You've planned out daily itineraries, opening hours, even the best angles for photos."
"Of course." I unpacked my camera and tripod from the suitcase. "I take my planning seriously. It was all just armchair dreaming before, but now it's finally happening."
"Where to tomorrow?" he asked.
"Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss." I pointed to the photos in the guide. "Those south coast waterfalls are stunning. Then the black sand beach for the Basalt Columns—maybe puffins if we're lucky."
"They're ugly."
"No way!" My eyes widened as I shoved my phone with pictures right under his nose. "Look, they're adorable."
He glanced at it, his lips twitching slightly. "If you say so... then fine, they're not."
"You're such a liar." I picked up on his half-hearted tone. "Just wait till you see them. Oh, and if the weather cooperates, we can chase the aurora tonight. The forecast looks perfect for it these next few days."
Kholod watched me enthusiastically break down the itinerary, his gaze softening.
"Alright, it's your show," he said. "You lead, I'll follow."
That made me pause. Kholod Morozov, the ultimate control freak, saying he'd let me take the reins?
"You won't change your mind halfway?" I probed.
"I won't." He took the guide from my hands and pored over it carefully. "This is your trip. You decide. I'm just here to keep you company."
The way he said "keep you company" sounded a little forced, like he wasn't quite used to the phrase.
But it sent a warm flutter through my heart all the same.
The next day unfolded exactly as I'd planned.
Skogafoss's mist refracted rainbows in the sunlight, and the trail behind Seljalandsfoss let us slip right inside the cascade, gazing up at water thundering down like a galaxy in freefall.
"Watch your step," Kholod called from ahead, glancing back often. "It's slippery here."
"Got it." I carefully lifted my skirt hem, navigating the slick rocks.
Suddenly, my foot slid out from under me, and I lost my balance.
"Noelle!" Kholod spun around, grabbing my arm and pulling me straight into his chest.
I collided with his solid frame, my heart racing.
"You okay?" He held me tightly, his voice laced with clear tension.
"I'm fine..." I looked up, catching the worry in his eyes, and couldn't help but laugh. "I just almost slipped. No need to panic."
"You..." He frowned. "Alright, from here on, I'm holding your hand."
"No need—"
"This isn't up for discussion." He intertwined our fingers, gripping firmly. "You slip again, and we're heading back to the hotel."
I glanced at our clasped hands, feeling the heat from his palm spread all the way to my heart.
"Fine," I conceded.
We continued on, hands linked. His was large and warm, holding on tight, as if he feared I'd vanish at any moment.
By the time we reached the black sand beach, the wind had picked up fiercely. My hair whipped around chaotically, and my skirt fluttered up.
"Wait." Kholod stopped, pulling a hair tie from his backpack.
"You brought that?" I asked, surprised.
"Yeah." He looked a bit uncomfortable. "Saw it when you were packing last night and grabbed one."
He stepped behind me and clumsily gathered my hair, tying it up. It took him two attempts, and it ended up a little lopsided.
"Sorry, I'm not great at this."
I rose on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "It's perfect."
He stiffened for a moment, his ears flushing red. Seeing this normally stoic man like that made me smile even more.
On the black sand beach, the Basalt Columns stood like organ pipes, waves crashing against the dark shore with a deep, rumbling roar.
"Incredible..." I raised my camera and snapped away furiously.
Kholod stood quietly nearby, not rushing me, just watching with a content expression as I got excited.
"Kholod, let's get a photo together!" I set up the tripod on timer and ran over to him.
"Smile."
"I don't do smiles."
"Then just be yourself."
Click.
I hurried over to check—him with his usual blank expression, me grinning brightly, the black beach and surging waves as our backdrop.
"One more," I said. "Different pose this time."
"Again?"
"Absolutely!" I grabbed his hand. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing—we need plenty of memories."
He sighed but went along with it, striking various poses. His face stayed serious, but I could tell he wasn't actually annoyed.
On the fifth shot, inspiration struck—I tiptoed up and kissed his cheek just as the timer went off.
Click.
The photo captured me mid-kiss, with him staring wide-eyed at the lens, looking completely stunned—no trace of his typical cool demeanor.
I laughed so hard I could barely stand. "Your expression is priceless."
"Delete it." He moved to grab the camera.
"No way!" I dodged nimbly. "This is my favorite!"
"Noelle—"
"Absolutely not!" I clutched the camera and ran, with him chasing after me.
He finally caught up, wrapping his arms around me from behind. We collapsed in laughter on the black sand, like the most ordinary couple in the world.
In that moment, I almost forgot everything about Philadelphia. It was just us and this vast, free landscape.
That night, we staked out a spot in a clearing near the hotel to wait for the aurora. Iceland's chill pierced even through my thick down jacket, and I started shivering.
"Cold?" Kholod asked.
"A little." I rubbed my hands together, breathing on them for warmth.
He stepped closer, took my hands, and tucked them into his coat pockets.
"That should help," he said.
Warmers were already inside, radiating heat. I looked at him in surprise. "When did you prepare these?"
"Had Dmitri pick them up before we left." He averted his gaze. "I checked—nights here get brutally cold."
My nose tingled with emotion.
"Thanks," I said softly.
"Yeah."
We stood there in the darkness, waiting for the lights to appear.
About half an hour later, a faint green glow streaked across the sky.
"Look!" I grabbed his hand excitedly. "The aurora! It's starting!"
The green intensified, swirling and dancing through the night sky, blended with shades of purple and pink, painting the darkness like a living canvas.
"It's so beautiful..." I tilted my head back in awe.
"Beautiful indeed," his voice came from beside me.
I turned and realized he was staring at me, not the sky.
"I'm talking about the aurora."
"And I'm talking about you."
His gaze was so intense it made my cheeks burn.
"You... what are you even saying..." I looked away. "We should enjoy this rare sight properly."
"I'm enjoying what I want to see." He pulled me into his arms. "Noelle, you're more captivating than any aurora."
My heart pounded wildly.
I turned and wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my face in his chest. His steady heartbeat echoed in my ear.
"Kholod."
"Yeah?"
"I'm really happy."
He tightened his embrace, pulling me closer.
"Me too," he whispered into my hair.
Over the following days, we explored the south coast's highlights—the dreamy blues of the ice caves, the floating icebergs of Jokulsarlon, the explosive geysers of the Golden Circle. Each place left me in awe.
And Kholod was always right there with me.
He'd hold my hand firmly during glacier treks, carry my gear when I was busy photographing, and suggest rests whenever I seemed tired.
He even figured out how to use my camera, though his compositions were still a bit rigid and documentary-like—I cherished every shot anyway.
On the third afternoon, we strolled the streets of Vik Town. The tiny village, with its cobblestone paths and colorful houses, felt like something out of a fairy tale.
"This place is so charming," I said, admiring the buildings. "Like a storybook come to life."
"You like it here?" Kholod asked.
"I do." I nodded. "It's small, but so cozy."
We popped into a souvenir shop, shelves brimming with Icelandic specialties—wool items, volcanic rock jewelry, handmade soaps, postcards...
"Get whatever you want," Kholod said. "Don't worry about the price."
"I want to pick up some gifts." I selected a handmade wool scarf. "Mother would like this."
"Yeah."
Then a bracelet made from volcanic rock. "This one's for Anya—she loves things with a unique design edge."
Kholod stood beside me, watching as I carefully chose each item.
"Nothing for yourself?"
"Me?" I pondered. "How about this Iceland map fridge magnet? I can stick it in my room as a keepsake."
"That's all?"
"Yeah." I smiled. "The memories are what matter most."
He picked up a silver bracelet with an abstract aurora-shaped pendant, sleek and artistic. "Wrap this up," he told the shopkeeper.
"It's for you," he said, handing it to me. "Put it on."