Pink blossomed on her cheeks and across her nose. She tip-toed, leaning against my chest to steady herself as she brought her face closer to mine. “You’re important to me too.”
My throat tightened, and my blood pounded through my veins. I wanted so badly to seal her lips with mine, but I couldn’t make that leap without knowing for sure.
She smiled up at me before moving forward and brushing her lips against my cheek. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I leaned in to press a kiss on her forehead. “I’d be lost without you.”
And it was the truest thing in the world. I was destined to rule over the Ice Kingdom, but all I wanted to do was stay in Kalista alongside Wren.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Wren
Theelementalcourtyardwasnestled between the Fated Dormitory and the Vinery, and it was where all the supernaturals with element affinity came to relax or practice their powers.
A large elm tree was positioned in the middle with the wind swirling constantly around it, and there was a huge hole half the size of the Natatorium on the edge of the Bestial Forest that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up straight. There were only two elements accounted for in the courtyard, but it was popular among students even without the affinity of earth and air. There was a firepit on the other side of the dorms that the fire elementals frequented.
Trixie giggled, twirling her finger around a piece of her brown hair as Nate bragged about something to do with a warrior challenge in his kingdom, and while Trixie hung on every word, I couldn’t make myself listen.
Nate had approached us as soon as we left the dorm, and Trixie seemed extra interested in the red-headed fire fae, but Thorn wouldn’t have disliked him without a good reason, so I kept my distance.
A gust of wind lifted my skirt, and I moved my hands frantically around it to make it stay down, glancing around the area to see where it was coming from.
There was a smirking man with black hair standing next to the tree manipulating the wind, and I bared my teeth with a low growl.
Suddenly, he was knocked off his feet by a flaming whoosh of wind.
I straightened my spine as the wind around me stopped, and met Nate’s gaze. “Did you?”
“Of course. That guy’s a fae from the Air Kingdom in the fae realm. He’s a spiny-leaved pervert.” He scratched the back of his neck. “Someone needs to put him in his place.”
My brows rose. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” He flashed a smile at me before his gaze dropped to Trixie’s chest, and I rolled my eyes. “Now where were we?”
“Well, you were talking about your cousin winning the challenge…” She placed her finger under his chin and he lifted his gaze to meet hers. “And you weren’t staring at my boobs.”
I snorted a laugh just as I noticed Thorn stalking over here with a stern expression, and I frowned.
This probably wouldn’t be good.
“Nate,” Thorn barked, placing his arm over me and nudging me behind him.
“Thorn,” Nate greeted him in a casual tone as Trixie dropped her hand. “Been a long time.”
I placed my hand on Thorn’s back and stepped next to him. “Nate and Trixie were just talking.”
“Word of advice, Trixie.” Thorn’s hard stare left Nate for a moment as he spoke to Trixie. “Keep better company.”
She furrowed her brows and shot me a confused look. “Nate literally just saved Wren from a pervy fae. He’s pretty good company to keep.”
“What happened?” Thorn turned to look at me, his gaze scanning my body for injuries.
“The air fae was lifting her skirt with the wind. I knocked him on his arse.” He smirked, glancing at me. “You’re welcome for protecting your girl whenyouaren't around.”
Thorn reeled back, and his face reddened. “Uh.”
“Some mate you are,” Nate muttered, and Trixie’s mouth fell open.
