Zachariah sat by Annabeth quietly while they finished up their dinner. He had no idea how to process the information he had just received, but he did know that he was biting off way more than he could chew. Leaning back in his chair he watched as she did the few dishes from their meal and sipped on his coffee. As his thoughts ran wild he realized the only thought that had not crossed his mind, regret. Zachariah in no way regretted helping his Snow and he was fine with going up against someone as powerful as Alexander's father.
"Zachariah?"
"Yes Snow."
She looked hesitant as she toyed with her baby hairs that framed her soft pale face.
"Are you...angry with me? Are you going to send me back? Do you wish you would have left me in the snow? Do you want me to find my way back to town?"
"Woah slow down there Snow. What are you talking about? Why would I take you back? I don't regret helping you and I certainly don't want you to go out there in the freezing cold to try and go back to that place. You will stay right here and we will just take things one day at a time. As of right now your betroth's father is not a threat. If he becomes one then....we will cross that bridge when we get there."
The relief in her eyes made his heart jump a little in his chest. Clearing his throat Zachariah refilled his cup of coffee before filling her cup with some more tea.
"Tomorrow I have to go out for a few hours. I know that you will be bored but I need you to stay here and not leave this cabin understand?"
"Yes."
"Right now they have no idea where we are so you are going to be safest if you just stay indoors. I know it isn't fun but we can get you some books to read and anything else that interests you. How does that sound?"
Annabeth nodded her head in agreement, there was no arguing coming from her direction. She did not want to be found, besides she had a feeling that she would be able to find plenty of things to do around this place.
"Thank you Zachariah. I really appreciate everything you have done for me."
He swallowed and just nodded his head, fighting the urge to wrap her up in his arms and never let her go. She was vulnerable and easy to take advantage of, that was something he didn't want to do , he wouldn't do. The fact that Alexander was willing to do something like that to her made his stomach turn and his anger come to a boiling point. Zachariah refused to allow that creep anywhere near his Snow, she was his and he would make sure everyone knew that fact.
"I think we have had a long day and need to some sleep, so why don't you go to bed and try to get some rest?"
The dark rings under her eyes were contrasting with her pale skin and showed just how much the stress was getting to her. So Zachariah was going to make sure that she got plenty of rest and some meat on her bones and some color into her cheeks. She was his Snow and he would be sure to treat her like the queen she was.