Tears filled my eyes because I didn’t think I would have the chance to explain to Aella, to Tambie, and the others why my time in the Cove would be shorter now that I would be the Winter Queen. He told me I would never have to say goodbye completely, but I needed to hear it again. To know that Arcane Cove would still always be a second home.
“Jack, tell me again, I’ll be able to come back to this place. That I’m not leaving an entire family behind when it comes time.” Slipping my arms around his neck, I nervously played with my fingers in his hair.
Jack pinched my chin, keeping my gaze locked with his, and flashed that azure magic in his glacial eyes. “You can come back whenever you wish, Sylvaria.I’mthe one tied to my kingdom, and it’ll be yours by proxy as my mate. As for me, I can only return with you every solstice for a fortnight.”
Trailing my hand to the butterfly mark I’d given to him on his forearm, I smiled brightly at his sparkling radiance. “How will I get back?”
Jack pressed a tender kiss to my forehead. “You let me worry about that. For now, I suggest we enjoy what time I have left with your friends.”
“My friends? Not yours, too?” I quirked a brow with a tiny smile.
Chuckling, Jack bopped my nose. “Maybe. In time.”
Frowning over just being reunited with our animal companions, I stroked Fintan’s forehead and between his eyes. “Think everyone will get freaked out if a polar bear strode into the town’s center?”
Jack barked a laugh and ruffled Nanok’s ears. “Considering the gargoyles, orcs, and minotaur I witnessed and undoubtedly plenty of animal shifters, I highly doubt they’ll mind. That is, of course—” He grabbed Nanok’s face and pressed his head to his, staring at him. “You don’t sniff out any water folk.”
My hand clapped to my chest. “My assistant Aegean, he’s merfolk.”
“Nanok,” Jack warned.
The polar bear huffed and lightly bumped his head against Jack’s. Jack snickered and scratched underneath his animal’s chin. “I’m only kidding. Even if he had a taste for them, they’re far harder to catch than lake trout.”
“Let’s go, then.” Curling my arm with Jack’s, I shared a leisurely, snowy forest stroll with him to reach the plaza. “Hopefully, Aella hasn’t burned down my bakery.”
When we arrived in town, only a few townspeople were strolling down sidewalks illuminated by candlelit street lamps in the setting sun. No one paid any mind to us, not even the enormous, fluffy, white bear. We reached the bakery and I petted Fintan’s neck, cooing at him, and asking him to wait outside. Faint music fluttered from inside, and strange overlapping scents of sugar,some fruit, and a slight burning smell wafted through the cracks. Sharing a perplexed glance with Jack, I whipped open the door, making the overhanging bell jangle loudly.
Everything appeared in its place in the front room, all appropriately organized on their shelves. The treats in the display case, however, left a little to be desired. What was usually filled with brightly-colored cupcakes, golden brown pastries, and sugar-dusted donuts, now contained—biscuits. Nothing but rows and rows of biscuits that started as burnt to a crisp and gradually got lighter as the display progressed.
Aella appeared from the back room, a mixing bowl in the crook of her arm. “I’m sorry, we’re getting ready to change shifts, but—” Her antlers shifted at her forehead when she spotted us, flour smattering her freckled cheeks and nose. “Sylvie,” she shouted, throwing the bowl and splattering the counter with some of its contents.
“Miss me?” I teased, holding my arms open wide, ready to receive one of her amazing hugs.
Aella vaulted over the counter and smacked into me, knocking me back on my heels, her arms tightly enveloping me. “I’m so glad you’re back. I’ve quickly discovered that I am not a baker in the slightest.”
Wincing from her pinching one of my wings, I patted her back. “I appreciate you trying and watching the shop all the same, friend.”
Aella stiffened and pushed me back by my shoulders, her gaze dancing between me and Jack. “Oh my—you two—” A high-pitched squeal that could bring a pack of werewolves to their knees in agony tore from her throat.
Jack shook his pinky in his ear and smiled. “We’re mated, yes.”
“I’m so, so happy for you,” Aella shrieked, hugging me again and then Jack. “Might I say you both look radiant. Like, actually glowing.”
Sneaking a peek at Jack, I grinned at his eyes glowing that more vibrant blue, pulsing in time with the butterfly marking. His gaze floated down to my glowing diamond on my chest, and I stroked a finger over it.
The bell over the door chimed, and Aegean appeared with his hands on his hips. “What’d I miss?”
We spent the remaining days in the Cove, visiting with friends who congratulated us on our mate-ship and showered us with affection. Jack appeared surprised, if not taken aback, by how quickly they let him in as one of us. Hopefully, now he has realized why Arcane Cove and its people were so near and dear to my heart.
We shared food and ale as the nights drew near, Jack withstanding the heat from the hearth so long as he kept contact with me. He looked so serene and content to be able to enjoy a warming fire with pleasant company. It made my heart swell knowing I alone could have given that to him.
On our final day, Jack, Aella, Finneas, and several of the children, along with me, made snowmen in the town center. Jack and I were under strict orders not to use our powers, forcing us to make it by hand or the “old-fashioned” way, as Finneas described. I put off telling Aella that I’d be frequenting the Cove less, making my new kingdom a home as well. A few sobs were shared, but ultimately, she accepted it wasn’t agoodbye by any means and teased that she was jealous of the double life I’d get to lead.
I made plans for Aella to run the shop only, and I’d handle the baking, storing things in the fridge as needed, and warming inventory in the stove before selling it or putting it in the display case. Half my time was to be spent in the Cove unless there were pressing matters that needed attending as Winter Queen.
As the final night settled over the magical small town that led me to my mate, I curled my fingers with Jack’s, our animal friends at our heels. We slipped into the freezing lake and took the portal home. It was time I accepted the role and responsibilities of Winter Queen, and time we finallydealtwith Diedre.
Jack’s castle—ourcastle—was a wonder of wintry fairy tales. When we emerged from the cerulean lake surrounding it, Nanok and Fintan immediately took the woods, pouncing through the massive snow drifts four times the size the Cove produced. I paused on the bank to take it all in from that vantage point. Nestled within the snow-capped mountains and surrounded by hills of snow and snow-covered evergreens, a glistening white castle stood. Icicles hung from the bottom edges, sparkling when they caught the brightened sun just right. There were two main towers with jutting spires on every side; rounded, elaborate stained glass windows with various shades of blue displayed snowflake designs.
