Gripping the box’s edges, I slowly lifted the top and gasped at the shimmering crystals lining the bodice. The dress was snow white with pale blue accents in overlapping shapes that appeared like snowflakes, wintry twigs, and a filigree-like design I had never seen. I traced my hand over it, my magic pulsing from my fingertips and showering the dress with sparkling silver and blue dust.
“Shit, I didn’t mean to—” Rubbing my lips together, I tried to pull the magic back, but it didn’t relent, content with interweaving itself into the dress’s fabric and accentuating the already vibrant crystals and gemstones.
“I’d say, between the two of you, that dress is now fit for a winterqueen,” Flora said with a girly squeal, her wings fluttering enough to make her levitate from the ground.
Itwasbeautiful. I’d never seen my magic react that way. I’d always been in complete control of it since the incident, and this was the first time that it responded to my emotions again, disregarding my shield.
If Jack and I really were mates, if what he said was true, that he could help control my power and use it to the utmost of my ability—whatcouldI do?
I immediately trekked to Finneas’to talk to someone other than a polar bear and frost giant. I’d become far too much of a recluse in my older years, and I wasn’t standing for it any longer. What did I intend to say to Finneas? What did I plan to ask? I hadn’t a clue, but even sitting in silence surrounded by magical beings seemed better than sitting alone with my ass in the snow.
Wincing from the stifling heat as soon as I entered, I did my best to ignore it this time and slid onto a barstool. Decorations adorned the pub now: holly and evergreen garland, shimmering crescent moons, and bright sun ornaments.
Finneas noticed straight away, his bovine-like ears flicking upward in delight. “Well, well, hey, Jack. No offense, but you look like shit.”
It hadn’t dawned on me how incredibly exhausted I was until Finneas mentioned it. There was so much riding on my shoulders, and it somehow felt out of my hands. Other kings mayhave been so cruel as to force a claiming when they’d found their mates, to ensure their title and kingdom were sound, no matter how she’d felt about it. I wasn’t that kind of king. If Sylvie didn’t want me, didn’t want what I could offer, then my kingdom would fall to Diedre. That thought weighed heavier because it meant my people would also be under her rule.
I stuck a thumb between my eyes and rubbed it frustratingly hard there. “I’m going to gather you are familiar with the concept of mates, Finn?”
“Of course. As far as I know, every magical species here has them in one form or another.” Finneas blinked his large, orb-like, caramel eyes. “Sylvie. She’s your mate.”
“Yup,” I replied, walking my fingers on the bar top, creating frosty designs as I went.
Two tumblers appeared in front of me, one with a whiskey double and one filled to the brim with ice. Scratching my cheek, I took the whiskey in my hand and held it out to Finneas. “Thanks.”
“Going to take a wild guess and say it’s not going as planned?”
I guzzled half of the liquor and stared at its amber-colored liquid. There wasn’t a time I could recall where I felt this unsure about anything. Then again, I’ve never been in an actual relationship either. Women came and went, flings, and hook-ups to satisfy an itch that never fully got scratched from how uncomfortable it always was for me—the heat radiating from females. It left me feeling like my insides were melting, sweating profusely, and oftentimes made my vision blur. Another element Sylvie and I had in common for opposite reasons.
“It’s not going badly, but it’s also not going great. She’s scared. I get it.”
The bell chimed from the entrance door, and I whipped my head, deliriously hoping it would be a certain winter faerie withamethyst eyes. It was far worse—Thor. Growling, the possessive urges wrenching my spine, I gripped my glass with two hands. Thor spotted me and held up his palms, pointing to a corner table where he planned to sitalone.
Fucking thunderous asshole.
Turning back around, I received a disapproving brow arch from the minotaur bartender, the golden ring attached to his nose bouncing when he huffed. “You going to freeze the place again?”
“No, no. And about that, I—” The magical binging sound went off in my head, and I almost cracked the glass from my death grip on it. “—sorry, I need to take this.”
“Take what?” Finneas asked, looking around.
Sighing, I downed the rest of the drink and slid a gold coin to him. “It’s hard to explain. Trust me. I’ll be back if I don’t feel like plunging headfirst into a frozen lake after this.”
Finneas chuckled and took the coin. “Sylvie will warm up to you, Jack. You’ll see.”
I certainly hope so.
Once outside, I flicked my hand in front of me, grimacing at the sight of Diedre. “What now?”
“Heavens, you could at least pretend like you’re happy to see me every once in a while.” Diedre used her middle finger to slather crimson color on her lips.
“Why in theshitwould I do that?”
Diedre blanched as if my words offended her fragile ears. “There’s no need for cursing like a barbarian, darling. I’m simply checking in. Glad to see you’re faring no better than last time we spoke.” The satisfied, smug grin she displayed had my blood freezing.
“What makes you say that?” I found a tree to lean on away from the town’s center and crossed my arms.
“She’s certainly not with you, and you look like someone turned your polar bear into a fur coat and mittens.” Diedre ran her fingers over the arctic fox shawl she wore, a wicked glint in her eye that made me incredibly uneasy.
