“Hey, Kel.” For a moment, I wonder if he’s going to beat me up, like the time he came into the entrance hall as I was eating Rosie out. Or was that Ezryn? Damn if I’m not thinking about her sweet taste now…
Keldarion walks around me, also heading for the airship. He’s certainly dressed like the High Prince of Winter. His armor gleams like forged frost, each plate meticulously sculpted to accentuate the hard lines of his body, from the powerful set of his shoulders to the broad expanse of his chest. Across his back drapes a thick, midnight-blue cloak lined with white fur, giving him the look of his wolf taken human form.
Ezryn and Farron have finally made it off the gangplank. Ez dips Rosie in a passionate kiss before turning to Kel. I hurry closer. Are we going to see swords drawn? Because these two did not part on the best of terms.
And then Ezdoesdraw a blade, that beautiful white Sword of the Protector, hidden in a leather sheath. He tilts his head. “If you’re looking for an apology, this is as good as you’re going to get.”
He drops the sheathed sword in Kel’s hand, as well as the snowflake token of the queen.
Kel accepts them wordlessly, mouth a hard line. He belts the sword at his waist and slips the token around his neck.
“Sworn Protector of the Realms,” Ezryn continues, “the Sapphire Knight has been dispatched, the Green Rule and creatures of the Below purged in Spring. Florendel is now held by Lady Tilla?—”
Keldarion pulls Ez into a hug. And damn if there is a silver lining to Ez being unhelmed, it’s getting to watch this big, brooding fae’s face fracture and—dare I say—softenjust for a moment.
“Well, isn’t this sweet?” I say, walking over.
Rosie smiles at me, tucked tight to Farron.
Keldarion pulls away from Ezryn and regards us all. “I’m glad you arrived safely. There is much to discuss.”
“Yes, all back together again,” I muse. “But hey, aren’t we missing a pretty little dark-haired shadowy member of Rosie’s fated?—”
“Caspian isn’t here,” Rosalina says quickly, her eyes flashing something feral at me. “I’ll tell you everything soon. But he saved me, and because of it, he’s trapped in the Below.”
A heavy darkness falls around Keldarion. “That’s where he should stay.”
Okay, major tension and trouble in this wintry love castle. A guard comes up to Keldarion and pulls his attention away. He promises a meeting soon before he leaves.
Rosalina quickly gestures for Farron, Ez, and me to follow her as she leads us to a secluded corner around the side of the airship.
Her big brown eyes resemble a cornered doe as she looks us over. “You all know?”
“That you’re mates with the freaking lord of evil and despair himself, the Prince of Thorns?” I say. “Yeah, we know.”
“He’s not like that,” Farron says softly. “You don’t understand everything he’s been doing for Rosalina. For Castletree.”
I shrug. “Should I give him a kiss of thanks too?”
Ezryn steps between me and Farron. “The Prince of the Below informed us that he was your mate.” He gently takes Rosalina’s hands in his. “Caspian and I have had our differences over the years, but I vow to you, I will not bring one of your mates to harm.” Ezryn pauses. “Unless, of course, you wished it, in which case, I would do anything you asked. You don’t happen to wish him harm, do you?”
Rosalina gives a long sigh. “No, I don’t wish it.”
Ezryn stiffens, a half smirk on his face. “If you change your mind, the offer still stands.”
“Alright, I think we’re missing the important point here.” I cross my arms. “Which, I’m guessing, is that the icy bastard has no idea?”
Rosalina flushes. “I was trying to tell him, but he saw the Fates in the Below. One of them showed him a vision of Caspian that scared him. He thinks Cas can’t be trusted.”
Ezryn rubs the bridge of his nose. “Only now he sees reason.”
Rosalina smacks his arm. “It’s not reason though. Caspian wouldneverhurt me. He’d never leave me as a thrall as Kel believes.”
“You have to tell him, Rosalina,” Farron says.
“I thought it would make things worse,” Rosalina says, then gives us all a smile that’s almost too cute for words. “Any of you want to volunteer for the job?”
I raise up my hands. “No way, no how. I love you, Blossom, but there are some things even I’m scared of. Plus, I know there are at least three people in this circle that like my balls where they are.”
