She sighs and wraps her arms around my waist. I kiss the crown of her head, savoring her lilac scent.
Eventually, she hugs me tighter and sends me a wave of affection in return, a warmth that feels like forgiveness and healing.
“I will fix a meal for us,” I say, “and then we should go to bed. We must leave early tomorrow. As you already know, some humans can see through fae glamours, and I don’t want to risk being spotted in the village. The earlier we arrive in Hollins, when the streets are less crowded, the safer it will be.” I try notto let her hear my worries about human soldiers wanting to hurt her just for her association with me, but the bond is too strong, and I know she senses this particular fear of mine. But she trusts me to keep her safe and still wishes to accompany me.
“Do a great many humans possess some fae ancestry? Is it really that common?”
“More common than you might guess,” I reply, remembering the stories about my great-uncle siring several bastards during his explorations of human and orc lands.
“Well, I appreciate you wanting to keep me safe. Yes, let’s leave early, and we won’t stay for long. Just long enough to warn my father.”
We pull apart slowly, and I stare down at her as I finally reach a decision.After the battle against Hollins, I tell her,I am done. I will resign my position as a commander in the Winter Court army. And we will travel to Frostfall together, bury the dead, and lead the rest of my people back into the human lands to create a brand-new settlement. Somewhere slightly north of here in the mountains, in a place where ussha thrives.
She gasps, and her eyes widen.
“Do you truly mean it?” she asks in a whisper.
“Yes, little moth. The idea has been forming in my mind for a while now, and… the timing feels right. I am only sorry that I didn’t return to Frostfall sooner. Though, I suppose if I had, I wouldn’t have found you when I was meant to. So perhaps I shouldn’t be sorry for it. You are my precious mate, Isabel, and I will cherish you forever.”
“Oh, Gideon. You’re going to make me cry.”
A few tears roll down her face. I wipe them away with my thumbs and press another gentle kiss on her forehead, pleasantly surprised by the rapidly growing intimacy of our bond. She’s close to surrender, so close I can sense it. But she wavers as she considers the events of today.
I don’t want our first time together to be tainted by darkness,she says down the bond.
I understand, and I feel the same way, little moth, I reply.
Relief and affection ripple through the bond, and it travels both ways. Soon, we will consummate our mating union. When the time is right. When the weight of grief and the coming battle no longer hangs over us.
For a moment, we simply stand there, wrapped in one another’s arms, the fire crackling behind us, the winter wind rattling the shutters.
I rest my forehead against hers.
“But I intend to hold you all night,” I murmur.
A soft breath leaves her. “I won’t argue with that.”
CHAPTER 19
ISABEL
Gideon landsin a clearing outside Hollins, then gently sets me on my feet. He takes a moment to comb out my hair with his fingers, a sweet habit of his that I’m coming to adore. I wait patiently as I lean into his touch, grateful for the quiet, intimate moment that feels like the calm before a storm.
My gaze darts through the trees. Though the sun hasn’t quite risen, Hollins is as brightly illuminated as the last time I was there due to the flaming torches lining the streets. I spot only a few passersby moving through the town.
After Gideon finishes tending to my hair, he takes my hand and leads me toward the town. Dread presses down on me with every step. His grip tightens, as though he fears I might attempt to slip away. He remains tense, on high alert as we approach the inn, his gaze sweeping the streets for any sign of soldiers. When he catches sight of two uniformed males in the distance, bows strapped to their backs, I sense his growing anger, as well as his anticipation for the battle to come.
Hoping to comfort him, I squeeze his hand and send him a wave of warmth, but I sense it does little to calm his simmering rage.
Relief fills me when the soldiers disappear into an alleyway. I pray we don’t encounter any more during our time in Hollins this morning. Thankfully, we reach the inn without incident, and Gideon uses his winter magic to unlock the door.
We slip inside and hear nothing. It would seem everyone is still asleep, even the proprietor and his servants. My stomach twists with worry as we quietly climb the steps. I’m glad we’ll be able to warn my father about the impending battle, but I can’t help but think about all the innocent lives that will be lost.
When a brief growl sounds in Gideon’s throat, I know he’s heard my thoughts and takes exception to them. But he quickly sends me a wave of affection that feels like an apology. He knows I’m entitled to my own thoughts and feelings, and he’s even promised to give me space for my doubts and time to come to terms with the bond we share. But when it comes to the Frostfall faefolk who lie cold in the forest, he is struggling to maintain control.
I am tempted to kill all the soldiers myself. His voice reverberates in my head.If the Winter Court army wasn’t headed this way, I would not hesitate. They would never see the sun rise again.
I know, I reply. As I hold his hand and our minds continue brushing against one another, I feel a dangerous spark of rebellion rising within him. For the first time since he joined the Winter Court army, he is tempted to defy King Theron’s orders.
