“No,” he says immediately, still staring at me with an almost dazed expression. “It is far more than that. It isyou.”
He steps closer, his gaze never leaving mine.
“The blue suits you perfectly,” he murmurs. “It makes your dark hair appear more radiant somehow, and your eyes…” His voice trails off briefly. “Gods, I do not think I have ever seen eyes quite like yours. So dark and soulful that I sometimes find myself struggling to breathe when I look at you.”
Warmth spreads through my body, and my face feels aflame. No one has ever paid me such a grand compliment. I glance away, suddenly incapable of enduring the intensity of his attention. No one has ever looked at me this way before. Not once.
I try to push away the residual shame over not being able to attract any suitors back in Braemar, the shame I felt at being twenty-two but still unmarried.
Merak pulls out one of the chairs at the table for me. “Come sit, my dearest. You must be hungry.”
I move toward the table on shaky legs and take my seat. His fresh, winter scent washes over me as he pushes in my chair, and he lingers behind me for a moment. The tension between us heightens, making me wonder what will happen tonight, and the night after that. Surely at some point, his restraint will falter and he will kiss me, perhaps even try to ravish me. I push such thoughts away before the heat can resume pulsating in my core.
I look at the spread of food, wondering where the proprietor found fresh fruit in the middle of winter. But then I realize the fruit holds a faint glimmer, meaning it’s ussha-blessed and native to the fae lands. It’s my understanding that even in the Winter Court, where it is cold and snowy year-round, the vegetation can produce fruit and vegetables that glimmer with ussha.
“Don’t worry,” Merak says. “The food that’s been prepared is safe for human consumption. Some ussha-blessed fruits and vegetables can make humans intoxicated if you overindulge, however the portions here are well within safe boundaries.”
I nod as I recall the warnings that passed through Braemar in the days preceding the Winter Court army’s attack—warnings not to eat the ussha-blessed fruit that could suddenly be found closer to the city. Apparently, several hunters partook in too many glimmering pears, only to become so drunk they passed out in the forest. One of older men, a friend of my stepfather’s, fell face first in a puddle of mud, only to never awake.
I’m grateful that Merak is taking my human constitution into account. In any case, it probably wouldn’t be wise for me to get raging drunk around him.
He takes a seat across from me and offers me a basket of bread. I smile politely, take a thick slice, and set it on my plate. He continues passing me food from the various platters, and I make my selections and place the items on the plate that’s larger than Merak’s head.
“This is enough food for an entire family,” I remark, wishing my family were here with me now. If only.
A faint smile touches Merak’s lips. “Then it is fortunate we are both quite hungry. I am not trying to embarrass you, my dearest, but I did hear your stomach growling through the door as you were trying the clothes on. For a moment, I thought perhaps a mountain beast had gotten inside.”
Despite myself, a small laugh escapes me.
After pouring me a cup of tea, he leans back slightly in his chair, though his attention remains fixed entirely on me. “After breakfast,” he says, “I will show you more of Ellonnar.”
My pulse quickens. I glance toward the balcony, then peer toward the windows on the far side of the suite that provide a view of the street. “The town? Really?” Excitement sweepsthrough me at the prospect of exploring Ellonnar. Even just walking down one or two streets would feel… thrillingly new. I think of all the times I sat on the stone walls of Braemar, aching with all my heart to follow the road.
“Yes, really.” Merak’s eyes shimmer with satisfaction, revealing he’s pleased by my enthusiasm. “The markets, the gardens, the greenhouses, and perhaps even the lower mountain paths. This is my first time visiting Ellonnar too, and I thought we might explore it together.”
I give an eager nod. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you.”
He smiles. “Eat your fill, my dearest, and then we will go on a little adventure.”
CHAPTER 8
MERAK
I clutchGwen’s hand as we descend the steps of the inn and emerge onto the cobblestone street. Snow flurries drift down around us, and I pause briefly to adjust the hood of my mate’s cloak, making sure she’s well protected from the cold.
My mate. My heart warms every time I remember that she’s mine. Even if she doesn’t know it yet. Even if it will take her time to accept the truth.
The dark blue gown and cloak truly suit her, contrasting beautifully with her flawless skin, which is so much paler than mine. The garments also make her dark eyes stand out, eyes that some might say are too large for her face, but I find utterly breathtaking.
Everything about her is lovely perfection.
She smiles up at me, then glances around the town. I sense the excitement building within her, and I think of her affinity for maps, trade routes, and strange trinkets from faraway lands. I can’t help but smile back at her, this sweet little human whose spirit is more adventurous than my own.
I like flying great distances, and I especially like when my scouting duties take me far from the Winter Court army. However, that enjoyment mostly stems from the certain safety of solitude. When I am alone, no whispers follow. Though it’s been years since anyone referred to me as the Lord of Nothing, the memory lingers, and I still wish to outrun it. Or more precisely, outfly it.
I tighten my hold on Gwen’s hand. Her enthusiasm for exploring Ellonnar is contagious, and I find myself genuinely looking forward to showing her the markets, gardens, and other places I promised to take her. I imagine it will be a joy to see those places through her eyes, bright and open with wonder.
“Come, my dearest. Let’s find the markets first.” I lead her down the street, and we walk among the faefolk who are out for a morning stroll.
