Above us is a myriad of colors painting the starry sky every color of the rainbow.
“What is that?” she asks in wonder.
“The Alto Luminaria. Northern lights,” I translate, following her gaze upward.
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.”
I have.
“It’s rare to be able to see them this clearly from across the sea. They’re supposed to be a harbinger of good luck.”
“About fucking time,” Dover mutters.
Serena watches the lights wave through the sky like a color-changing flag. She blinks as something wet lands on her cheek.
Then it starts to snow.
Grief paused, I catch her smile—actually smile—stretching her palms out to catch the flakes. The others stare at her like she’s crazy while I fight the urge to grab her and put my mouth on hers.
“Fucking fantastic,” Mar drones.
“You guys don’t like snow? What’s wrong with you?”
“I don’t like to be cold and wet,” Mar says, staring up at the flurries with contempt.
Serena scoops up a handful of snow, patting it into a tight ball. It smacks into Mar’s back with a satisfying thump.
Mar whirls, silver eyes blazing. “I hope you find hypothermia funny!”
Wasting no time, she packs together a ball of her own. Serena cackles as it hits her sleeve and crumbles. Mar’s stone face cracks, and a reluctantgiggle slips out.
“Well. It’s official.” Kai leans back as white flakes begin to dust his raven hair. “They’ve snapped.”
His face lashes to the side as Serena pelts him with a wicked throw.
Then it’s war. We fight until our faces, our fingers, our toes are numb. The flakes continue to fall in thick clumps, dusting our heads and soaking through our clothes until the whole forest is covered in a smooth white blanket.
I sink down, breathless, beside Serena, who’s splayed out in the snow, arms spread wide like an angel. Her head falls toward me, frost turning her cheeks the perfect shade of pink.
“Hi.” She smiles, and it knocks the wind from me.
She has the best smile. Her entire face lights up, and it’s just stunning. I have to look away before I can speak.
“Mar was right. One of us is bound to lose a limb if we stay out here any longer.”
We find a cave not too far away. Furi curls up at the mouth, blocking out some of the harsh wind. Serena sparks another fire, and we huddle close to the flames, Dover spooning Mar and Kai spooning Dover.
And me spooning Serena.
Because that’s not awkward at all. Though she doesn’t seem to mind, fitting herself against me as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.
I’m finally starting to doze when I feel her shudder against me.
“Are you still cold?” I ask, leaning over her. She shakes her head, eyes squeezed shut, tears glistening on her cheek. “Serena.”
He’s dead.Her lip trembles despite how hard she’s clamping down on it.
My shoulders sink.I know.
