“Does this waste of my time have a point?”
Diedre was the Snow Queen of another region of my realm. I’d never made any move to overthrow her and take her lands, and for centuries, it had been a peaceful co-existence. This was until she gained word that I still had no Queen of my own—that I still hadn’t found my mate. She cursed me because of it—an actualhex.
“Word in the clouds, Jakzair, is that you foundher.” Diedre’s gaze turned predatory, her nails clacking together.
Sitting up straight, I glared at her, Nanok growling and baring his teeth behind me, sensing my sudden aggression. “You will not stop me. You can’t.”
“True, I can’t whisk myself to where you are, but I do have other ways, darling. Besides, all she needs to do isrejectyou.” Diedre chuckled, deep and sinister, her body swiveling in impending delight.
Rejection. The idea of it had a proverbial knife twisting in my gut. It was a distinct possibility, but I couldn’t fathom it. Didn’t want to imagine it.
“She won’t,” I clipped, tightening my jaw.
Diedre cackled at that, motioning to someone out of view. “That has always been your greatest asset and largest flaw. Suchconfidence.”
Frustration chilled my veins to frozen spikes, and I punched the ground. “You have your kingdom, Diedre. I’ve never threatened to take it. What use do you have of mine?”
Diedre received a silver goblet and kissed the air in thanks to whoever had brought it to her. “One, yours is far larger, and two—” Her demeanor changed in an instant, an angered glare distorting her already grotesque features. “—you’re allowed passage to other realms every solstice. Do you have any idea what I wouldn’t give to see the Ice Spires, or the Alps?”
Rolling my eyes because I’d seen them both, I sighed. “They’re overrated.”
Diedre took a long sip from her drink, curling her elongated and thin fingers around the cup. “All the more reason I cannot wait to witness you fail,Jack Frost.”
“Get used to where you are because that’s not happening.”
It couldn’t happen. Therewasa spark between Sylvie and me, and I could tell from her reactions that my touch made her melt as much as hers did for me. How could she deny feeling that way forever?
“We shall see. Maybe you should scare her away with that brutish animal you keep company with.” Diedre chuckled into her goblet. “Ta-ta for now, lover boy.” Her hand swiped upward, making the magical tether disappear.
Nanok growled and swatted his massive paws where Diedre had just been, not at all happy with her insult toward him.
Huh. Sylvie obviously liked animals if she kept that stag around. I didn’t often—no, Ineverintroduced anyone to Nanok, but if I wished to have her at my side for all eternity, that meant with him too.
“Actually, it might not be such a bad idea, old friend.” Rising, I dusted myself off and scratched my polar bear’s head. “I need you to be on your cutest, cuddliest behavior, hm?”
Nanok’s face fell blank, and he grunted.
“Oh, stop it. Like you don’t enjoy belly scratches.” Motioning for him to follow, I made for the woods, my nose poised for Sylvie’s scent.
Nanok perked up at this, his fluffy tail swaying and his ears folding back against his head.
Sylvie’s scent was unmistakable with its sweet aroma and fruity undertones. She was in her cottage, Fintan standing with his head through one of the open windows. Nanok walked calmly by my side, and as we neared the opposite window, I held my hand out behind me, signaling for him to hold back. The bear grunted but acquiesced. Peering from the window’s side just like I had that first day at the bakery, I stole a glimpse at my angelic faerie in her element. She buzzed around her quaint kitchen, flour smattering her cheeks, and the most blissful buttery smells wafted from the stone hearth oven.
Grinning at the window left ajar, I rested my forearms on the pane, my chin atop them. “Funny, I figured you’d prefer the space of your bakery for this.” I knew I wouldn’t scare her because she’d have sensed me the moment I stood outside her home. And I knew this because weweremates.
Sylvie paused halfway to the oven with a tray of star-shaped dough pieces lined on a tray and didn’t look at me at first. “What do you want, Jack?”
“A chance. I’ve told you this, Sylvie. I understand why you’re scared. I, too, have spent centuries alone.”
Nanok nudged at my arm, and I pushed on his head for him to stay out of sight.
“You don’t understand if you think the fear comes from being attached to someone after being alone.” The light dimmed from Sylvie’s eyes before she marched to the oven, shoved the tray into it, and slammed the door shut.
“So, youhavebeen alone? There hasn’t been anyone recently?” I scratched the tip of my ear, skirting around the real question I wanted to ask.
Tell me the names of every male who has ever laid a hand on you so I can freeze them from the inside out and toss them over a cliff.
“Really, Jack? Fishing for bed post numbers?” A tiny, microscopic smile edged on my faerie’s lips, and it was enough to catapult me into action.
