No, I cannot complete the thought. I’m human. I’mfullyhuman. Aren’t I? Surely if I possessed even a drop of fae blood, Mama would’ve told me.
Unless she had a very good reason to keep it a secret…
I kissed the Winter King.I let him hold me. I savored the feel of his hardness against my body. In a reckless, foolish moment, I pressed my lips to his.
I told him I hated him, but deep in my heart, I know that to be a lie. A lie I so desperately wanted to believe. But that one kiss, rough, savage, and full of promise, dispelled the very notion from my mind.
I’m drawn to the king, yet I must endeavor to hold him at a distance. I mustn’t make the mistake of kissing him again or letting him hold me.
If he learns about the visions, it could go very badly for me.
What if I do have some sort of connection to Elssandra and he finds out? It’s a wild idea, yet I cannot think of a better explanation.
The priestess.
My heart races, and I break into a cold sweat.
King Theron mentioned us visiting a priestess soon, after we depart Braemar in a few days. A fae priestess who might be able to explain our mental connection. I can’t help but worry it will go badly for me. I also can’t help but think of my second vision, the one with the bonfire and the tall fae male who called meCousin. In that vision, I’d spoken of a priestess’s revelation, the words tumbling from my mouth as I inhabited a body I couldn’t control.
Cousin, I’ve heard the news. What a blessed turn of events.
Yes, I was shocked by the priestess’s revelation. But perhaps it will be easier this way. I will play my part, and I will resist the bond. I’m strong enough. I know I am.
I believe you’ll do just fine, Cousin. And when this is all over, you will have a place of honor in the Winter Court.
Oh, gods. I must escape King Theron. Before it’s too late.
If he hunted Elssandra beyond the Northern Isles and killed her, I can only imagine what he might do to me if he learns about the visions and my possible ties to her family.
A glance out the balcony windows shows the storm has finally slowed, the heavy snow giving way to light flurries.
Bootsteps sound in the hallway, and I gasp as I hear the familiar sound of winter wind thrusting the door open. I turn to face the male I desire, and fear, above all others.
His gaze is dark and assessing. He lingers in the doorway for a moment, then steps inside just before the door slams shut under the power of his magic.
His tunic is wet with snow, and he strips it off, revealing his bare, sculpted chest. I cannot look away. He leaves his leather pants on, though he removes his boots and tosses them toward the wall. Despite myself, my pulse quickens.
“Darling human.” He approaches and gives me a worried look. “Why are you shivering? And why can’t I hear your thoughts?”
So, I am successfully blocking him out. Thank the gods. I continue to shove every thought and emotion into the dark, secret space in my mind that he somehow can’t penetrate.
“I-I am shivering because I stepped outside for a bit.” I exhale slowly. “As for why you can’t hear my thoughts, I’m uncertain. But I can’t hear yours either right now.” It’s true. Try as I might, I can’t hear his voice rumbling in my head. Nor can I sense his emotions. Which is why he seems especially forbidding at the moment, particularly since I’m fairly certain he just went on a killing spree against the rebellious humans of Braemar.
His visage softens, and he takes me in his arms.
“Come closer to the fire, Helena. Come sit and talk with me, darling human.”
CHAPTER 20
THERON
Residual bloodlust humsin my veins, though the echoes of violence fade the longer I hold Helena. I keep an arm wrapped around her as we sit before the fire, letting the warmth of the flames seep into us both. It takes great effort, far more than it should, but I push back my natural coldness, caring only for her comfort.
Something troubles her. I cannot hear her thoughts or sense her emotions, not now, but there’s no mistaking the worry that shadows her eyes. She is guarded, withdrawn, and quiet.
Is she thinking of how many humans I killed tonight?
If she asks, I will not lie. I’ll tell her every brutal detail. If we’re to remain together, and I have no intention of releasing her, she must grow accustomed to the truth of what I am. She must understand that I cannot change my nature.
