She glances up at me with a small, forced smile.
I know you are uneasy here,I say through the bond.But I must confer with King Theron and my fellow commandersabout the impending battle. While I am doing that, you can visit with Helena.
Some of the tension leaves her. She nods.I am most eager to reunite with my friend, she tells me.Thank you for bringing me, Gideon.
I give her hand a quick, affectionate squeeze.Of course, I tell her.Anything for my sweet, beautiful mate.
A blush steals over her face, and she glances down with a secret smile. Ever since I claimed her two days ago, we’ve been inseparable. We’ve spent the last two days talking, kissing, holding one another, and coupling on the furs.
I cannot get enough of her.
Even after I finish claiming her, I am always roused to full readiness again within moments.
Ah, blushing again,I murmur through the bond in a teasing tone.Are you thinking about how I mounted you from behind last night? Are you thinking about how I spread you wide and pounded you until you climaxed as my scrotum smacked against your clit?
Her eyes widen, and her head swivels my way. She gives me a scandalized look that makes me laugh.
Before she can reply, we reach the Winter King’s tent, and several commanders and guards approach to greet us. I quickly introduce Isabel as my mate, and I sense her confusion as she tries to remember all the soldiers’ names and titles. Among my people, it is considered rude to address a fae male or female by their first name if they are titled Lord, Commander, Warden, Officer, and so on. When in the company of others, at least. But in private, it is common for two soldiers who are friends to address each other by their given names. I squeeze Isabel’s hand again and send her a wave of reassurance.
A dark-haired human female exits King Theron’s tent, and her eyes flare with recognition when she spots Isabel. No, notquite human, I amend. According to one of King Theron’s letters, Helena is part-fae. She is also the reincarnation of his late mate who was a full-blooded fae female, though I am uncertain if she retains any memories from that life. I suppose if she does, I will hear about it later from Isabel.
My mate pulls away from me and rushes to Helena. The women embrace fondly and both start chattering at the same time while crying and laughing. Their tearful but joyful reunion warms my heart, the heart I once thought was so cold and unforgiving, but Isabel has shown me that I possess more warmth than I ever thought possible.
King Theron steps out of his tent, gives me a deep nod in welcome, and then turns to stare at Helena and Isabel. His lips curve in a rare smile, making me wonder if perhaps his mating union has helped bring about changes in him too.
“Commander Ashvale. It is good to see you,” he says, his deep, authoritative voice booming through the camp. “However, I regret the reason for our meeting in this location.” His gaze cuts in the direction of Hollins.
“King Theron. Yes, I too regret the reason for our meeting today; however, I am pleased to be back with the Winter Court army.” Pleased to be back? Hmm. That’s not precisely true. With deepening resolve, I decide that as soon as I have a private moment with the Winter King, out of the hearing of the other soldiers and commanders, I will inform him of my plan to resign my position in the army, as well as my plans for the future.
Helena guides Isabel toward the king, and I step closer to the group. Quick introductions are made, and King Theron suggests the women go inside the tent for an early lunch. And, presumably, to continue catching up on all the events that have transpired since they last saw one another.
I grasp Isabel’s hand just before she steps into the tent. “Though there are guards here, I will ward the tent as soon asyou step inside. This means you won’t be able to leave until I return.” I speak aloud so the soldiers will know it means they won’t be able to enter for any reason, and so Helena doesn’t become confused if she tries to step outside.
Isabel nods, and I sense her relief through the bond. She is grateful for the extra protection. She belongs to me, which means my people are now her people too, but when it comes to her safety, I will not take any unnecessary risks, like the chance that an idiotic drunk soldier might wander into the wrong tent and mistake my mate for a pleasure slave.
“Ah, Commander Ashvale. I am envious that your mate can be contained by the wards you create. Alas, my ill-behaved mate usually just walks straight through them.”
“I am not ill-behaved,” Helena quips. Then she elbows the king in the side. “If you wish for me to stay within the boundaries of your wards, perhaps you could learn to make them a bit stronger.”
My jaw nearly drops as I watch the spirited interaction between the Winter King and his mate. Truly, I have never seen the king, the embodiment of coldness and cruelty, show any hint of playfulness when conversing with anyone. But Helena, who is the reincarnation of Elssandra, his late mate who once betrayed him… well, it is truly shocking.
After Isabel and Helena go inside, I quickly lift my hands and summon enough winter magic for the creation of a ward. A new line of frost appears above the compacted snow, forming a circle around the tent.
King Theron nods at the trees ahead, and I understand his meaning. He wants to speak with me in private too. We exit the camp, going far enough that no one should be able to overhear our conversation. Still, the king waves a hand and the air sizzles with the magic of a soundproof ward.
I tense as I consider what news he might have to share, as well as how he might react when I resign my position.
“I am sorry about the Frostfall faefolk, Gideon,” he says.
I feel my eyes widen, though I try not to reveal just how surprised I am by the Winter King’s sudden use of my given name. Though I’ve served in the army for hundreds of years and consider him a friend, he is the king, and I have never dared to call him anything but King Theron. And, rigid as he typically is, he has never called me anything but Commander Ashvale.
“Thank you… Theron,” I say, omitting his title of King for the first time.
His eyes flare with pleasure, and I breathe a quiet sigh of relief that I didn’t read him wrong.
“Our scouts verified the location of the bodies earlier, and we’ve already sent three wagons to gather them and ready them for travel.”
“Thank you. Yes, I will take the bodies back to Frostfall for proper burial. Mayhap they will be the last of my people ever put to rest there.” I pause for a moment, gathering my courage. “After I see to their burial, I intend to gather my remaining constituents and lead them into the human lands. I want to help them establish a new settlement on the mountainside very close to where we are standing.”
