Aella threw her hands to her hips and shook a chastising finger at me. “Sylvie, what did I say? They’ve got it handled. You take several deep breaths and concentrate on these cookies, yeah?”
“Right. Yes,” I breathed out, grabbing the blue and white icing dispensers.
Aella sidled behind me and hugged my shoulders. “It’s going to be perfect, Syl. And even if it isn’t, do you really think he’ll care?”
I’d spent the last year living a glorious double life. Some days would be spent in the Winter Kingdom, handling royal decrees with Jack, paying visits to surrounding towns, andholding festivals within the palace walls to celebrate occasions with fellow fae folk. Other days, I’d travel through the mirrored portals the kingdom sorcerers created for me that ledonlyto Arcane Cove. The portal would appear only to me, and no one else, a stipulation I insisted on to keep the Cove safe, just in case anyone managed to sneak into our chambers. The latter was unlikely, but I’d never forgive myself if it were my fault something bad made its way through.
Aella was always waiting for me on the other side, excitedly jumping and wrapping me in one of her world’s best hugs. We spent the rest of that day baking, and I taught her everything I knew. Aegean had picked up a lot as well in the past year since I asked him to bake more when the supply I created started to run low. Everything worked like a well-oiled machine, and I got to spend much-needed personal time in my element. It was nice being able to see my friends still, to pull up a stool and grab a drink at Finneas’, or eat some tasty lunch at the Minty Boar with Aella, and catch up. The ache that would start to form in my chest at Jack’s absence, however, had me usually returning to the kingdom within a couple of days. It was like leaving a sliver of my soul behind.
Today, the winter solstice has approached. Today would be different. Jack would be here. He could be here in the Covewithme fortwowhole weeks. It stood to reason that I was equally as nervous as I was excited. This would be the first time we could spend moments in my first true home without worrying that Diedre would ruin it. There’d be no rushing, and we had already been mated for an entire year. There’d be no tip-toeing around that particular elephant in the room either.
“You’re right. He won’t care, but that still doesn’t mean I don’t want to try and make it the best welcoming party I can.” Smiling at my maenad friend, I decorated the snowflake-shaped cookies with the blue and white icing before sprinkling my magicover them. The clock chimed overhead, and I yelped, scurrying the trays onto my arms and dashing for the door.
Aella sprinted past me to open it, saluting one of her small antlers as I grinned at her in gratitude. “I know you’re not thinking straight, and I can’t blame you. Your mate ishot.”
Laughing, I placed the cookies on the display table with the other treats—wintry cupcakes, sugar-dusted blueberry-filled donuts, blue sugar crystals on a stick, blueberry muffins, and chocolate cupcakes with tiny snowmen on top. I made the last one as a bit of an inside joke with Jack, making the body out of vanilla swirled icing, a marshmallow for the head with chocolate eyes and mouth, orange icing for the carrot nose, and two small pretzel sticks as its arms.
“Come on, everyone. We’ll meet him at the lakeshore. He’s going to be so surprised you’re all there.” Bouncing on my heels, I clapped my hands together and started to walk. My pace picked up to a sprint, which led into full flight mode, my wings fluttering excitedly.
“Want me to give you a ride?” I heard Vorthak say.
“You’re out of your damn mind if you think I’m letting you carry me,” Dagnar answered, Tambie’s all-telling giggle following.
“Suit yourself,” Vorthak answered, his large wings flapping.
Fintan met me halfway through the woods, galloping beside me and huffing into the chilly wind, making spiral vapors from his breath. The first snow had yet to fall, the trees having lost most of their leaves, and the grass was a dull brown.
I smoothed a hand over his head. “Daddy’s coming, Fintan.”
And winter came with him.
My heart was racing by the time I made it to the lake. My eyes stung from the wind blowing in during flight, tears blurring my vision. In the distance, the lake began to freeze over steadily,the pace increasing, the faint sight of two sets of bubbles edging closer.
When Jack’s head emerged, followed by Nanok’s, my breath hitched in my throat. Those glowing, glacial eyes peeked out next, the skin at the corners crinkling because he was already smiling at the sight of me. The rest of him appeared bit by bit as he ascended from the water—his bulky shoulders, carved pecs, that dangerous six-pack of abs, the light blonde happy trail leading to his?—
“Sylvie, what in the name of the goddess?” Finneas barked behind me.
Biting my lip, I innocently turned to a group of five shocked townsfolk.
Finneas had his hand over his eyes. “You didn’t say he was going to be butt ass naked.”
“I certainly don’t mind,” Tambie added, tilting her head to one side.
Dionysus’ gaze dropped to Jack’s lower half, and he glared at it before teasingly throwing his hand over Chelsea’s eyes. “Oh no, you don’t, Red.”
Vorthak slowly cocooned himself with his massive wings and grumbled. “Let me know when he’s got some damn clothes on.”
“What’s all this?” Jack asked, coming up beside me andstillnaked.
My cheeks warmed as I turned to face him. “Surprise,” I said, without as much preamble as I’d hoped for.
“Did you forget I preferred to make the swim without clothes? Less friction?” Jack grinned, flashing those delicious canines.
Clearing my throat, I curled my hair behind my ears. “Yes. Yes, I did. Otherwise, I would’ve advised everyone to wait at the town center.”
Nanok shoved his head under my arm, demanding I pet him. After he was satisfied with my efforts, he tackled Fintan.
Sparkling, snowy spirals traveled up Jack’s body, starting at his feet. A pair of jeans and a light blue V-neck shirt appeared on him, the snowflake charm bouncing into place. “What’s in the town center?”
