He lowers me to the ground, and I barely notice the snow beneath me. I’m part of Winter now.
Keldarion does not let go of my hand, but he casts his gaze to the sky.
Wind spins in great arcs onto the balcony, blowing the snow in sparkling swirls around him. Light glows at his feet beneath the skin, then ripples along his body until he gleams so brightly, I have to shield my eyes.
The air tastes metallic like a storm, crackling and sharp. Keldarion casts one last look at me, his face a brilliant smile, before it’s so covered with light I can’t see him.
A silhouette flashes behind him, luminous and terrible. The Winter wolf. For a single moment, he reigns against the backdrop of the Winter Realm, then with a howl, he disappears.
Keldarion’s grip is still tight on my hand, and I watch as the radiance fades from him. Left standing before me is the High Prince of Winter. I feel the change in him, the power that emanates.
He pulls me against his chest.
“I owe you everything, my Rose,” he says and leans in for a kiss.
The Enchantress’s curses have been broken.
93
Rosalina
Keldarion’s curse is broken. You are all free, my princes. Myvoice travels out to my mates.
They enter the room just as I’m throwing on the base layers of my armor.
“How much time do we have?” Farron asks breathlessly, rushing to me.
“Not long,” says Keldarion, who has thrown on loose pants. “It’s a wonder she hasn’t disappeared yet.”
“You’ll have to check on the Winter staff,” I say quickly. “On Astrid.”
“Of course, Rosalina,” Ezryn says.
“The Below is just another arena, baby. Don’t forget, you’ve never lost a battle in the Sun Colosseum. You’re not about to start losing now.” Dayton fastens leather armor around my chest, tightening the buckles. “Honor’s all we take with us in the end. Let yours shine amid the darkness.”
He grabs my face in both his hands and kisses me, the ends of his golden hair brushing my shoulder.
“I can feel your power, brother,” Ezryn says to Kel, then looks to me. “You are both so brave. This is a great sacrifice for the realm.”
Ezryn kneels and gently lifts my legs, helping me into soft, supple brown boots. He grips either side of his helm and pulls it off. “Through your actions, you give people hope, Rosalina. You are a true leader. A true queen. Do not forget that.”
I nod as he stands and kisses me.
Farron steps forward and places the bag over my shoulder. My thumb drifts over his freckled skin, tracing the contours of his face. “I’ll be okay, Farron.”
“I know you will,” he says. He grabs the front strap of my leather chest plate and pulls me into a searing kiss.
How am I going to do this without them? How are they going to be okay without me? We take care of each other.
Last, I look to Keldarion, and the tears I’ve been holding back fall down my cheeks. He gathers me against him as if the pure strength of his arms will keep me here. My fingers close over his snowflake necklace. “Now, go save Winter, Sworn Protector of the Realms.”
“Don’t have my sword, remember?” he says lightly, a twinkle in his eyes.
“You never needed a sword, Kel.”
He grabs my head and kisses me deeply, lovingly, and I feel his new power radiating. He draws away, lips brushing against mine.
“Protect him, Rose,” Keldarion says. “Bring him home.”
