Which, Mallory told herself firmly as she stared into the dark, was for the best.
Even if part of her, the annoyingly loud, reckless part, wished she could fall asleep again.
Just to feel safe like that one more time.
CHAPTER 3
Jakob
The Winter Ball had always been one of Jakob’s favorite annual events. It was a time for royalty, townspeople, tourists, and visitors to all come together at his castle as one.
He sat near the fireplace at the head of the long banquet table and watched. His crown reflected in the firelight on one of the few events he wore the thing. The great hall hummed with warmth while laughter bounced off the stone walls and goblets clinked in jolly toasts. Chandeliers of iron and crystal glittered overhead and their light caught on silk gowns and polished dress boots.
Usually, he thrived in this chaos.
He knew how to smile just enough, how to raise his brow so women blushed, and how to make a single look feel like a promise to the receiver. He had spent years perfecting the art of charm and normally collected flirtations the way others collected coins. If he wanted company for the night, or even just the hour, he merely had to choose. They always came eagerly.
But tonight, it all felt unbearable. Every laugh grated his nerves. Every touch made his skin crawl.
A familiar female lounged at his right. He recognized her from prior trysts but couldn’t remember her name. Her gown was cut daringly low and offered him quite a view while her fingers traced slow, confident paths along his sleeve. “Your Majesty,” she murmured with breath heavy with wine, “you look tense. Perhaps I could help you relax.” She leaned closer. “Again.”
Jakob shifted away and his jaw tightened. Her perfume that he would normally find pleasant was clogging up his nose. Her voice was too practiced. His dragon stirred uneasily beneath his ribs, restless in a way Jakob had never felt before.
He yanked his arm away and avoided the way her eyes widened in surprise. “Not interested.”
A slight gasp and she tried to reach for him again. “But, Jakob, we have history.”
“That’s right,” he responded. “History. As in, the past. Now go.”
“Well, I never.” She hurried off in an indigent huff.
Where is she?
The thought struck him hard enough that he scrubbed a hand down his face. Ridiculous. Mallory was a human. A stranger he’d met by chance in the mountains. She should not be haunting his senses like this.
And yet, there she was in his head.
Another woman appeared as if summoned by the vacancy. She was heavily jeweled and radiant with confidence dripping from every movement. He recognized her as the wife of someone or another, but he couldn’t quite remember. It had never been a problem in the past.
“Your Majesty.”
Her fingers brushed his forearm. “You’re impossible to catch,” she purred. “I hoped for a dance.”
He offered a polite smile, distant and cold. “Tonight, I’m not in the mood to be caught.”
Her eyes widened and he could read her thoughts. Jakob Baldurneverrefused a willing partner. Pleasure usually lined up at his door.
But tonight, it all felt hollow.
Offense flashed across her features, but he didn’t stay to soothe her wounded pride. He pushed back from the table and strode from the hall while ignoring the sudden hush that followed his departure.
The balcony doors flew open as he pushed a little too hard.
Winter air crashed into him and through his clothes. The biting cold was harsh and clean. Snow dusted the high stone balustrades and glittered beneath the torchlight. Below, the castle grounds stretched out in white and silver. Frozen fountains sparkled like diamonds and evergreen trees strung with lanterns glowed amber against the snow.
Banners of deep blue and silver draped the towers. Garlands of pine and deep red roses rimmed in frost lined the walls. The entire courtyard had been transformed for the Winter Ball. Music drifted up from where townsfolk gathered beneath open tents, and the flames from the grove warmers sent subtle sparks into the night sky.
Jakob gripped the stone railing. The rock groaned and hairline cracks splintered beneath his palms. He released hishands before his dragon strength broke off a chunk of the bannister.
