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“I’m a Fae prince,” a sultry voice says through the door. “I can break most wards on this campus.” A long pause. “I can also open locked doors, Princess.”
Of course he can. I release a ragged breath. “I don’t want to see you right now.”
“Are you sure about that? Because your breathing and your racing heart say otherwise.”
Ruby takes a defensive position above my head. “Hey, ice bastard! Just try coming inside and I’ll shrivel your balls to frozen little raisins.”
“Sounds entertaining.” Another pause. Then, “I’m unlocking the door now. Please refrain from shriveling anything until Summer hears me out.”
I step back as the deadbolt unlocks itself, the telltale perfume of lilies and copper permeating the air. The door slides open with a creak and then the prince fills the doorway. His hair is disheveled as if he’s run his hand through it a hundred times, his eyes dark and a little wild.
Cold surges from him in frigid waves.
“Well that’s one way to open a locked door,” I snap. “The other is to not fucking open it because it’s locked.”
His lips twitch into an amused grin. If he was within touching distance I would throat-punch the smirk from his stupid face.
“There’s not enough magic in the world to force me to be your mate,” I hiss. “Now get out.”
His eyes darken, but instead of leaving, he takes a step in my direction.
51
I retreat until the far wall meets me back. The prince’s eyes don’t leave mine as he claims the space between us. His hands go on either side of me against the wall, pinning me between his arms. Ruby gives a war cry and rushes toward us—
He tilts his head and she freezes midair.
Without breaking eye contact, he says, “I need a moment with Summer.”
Mack hesitates, her arms crossed.
But I nod without looking at her. “It’s okay.”
“Fine, but I’m right outside,” she points out. “In case you need me.”
When she’s gone, he releases Ruby. “While I appreciate your concern for Summer,” he says, “this is between me and my mate.”
Mate. The word reverberates through me like a curse, even as something warm and electric opens inside my middle.
I hear Ruby cussing all the way down the hall. When she’s gone, he conjures a gust of wind to shut the door. I glance at the door, back to him. The knowledge that he could keep the door closed for as long as he wants settles in my core, along with the knowledge of what might happen if we’re alone.
Already I can feel my body responding to his closeness. Changing. The anger and tension bleeding from my shoulders and neck. The need to feel his touch, to kiss him and more, so much more, consumes me.
He stares into my eyes for a long time. Then his focus shifts to my lips. He goes to drag a thumb over my bottom lip and I slap his hand away. He blinks, a growl stirring his chest, and then tries again.
I hate how my lips part for him. How I gasp as the rough pad of his thumb brushes the sensitive part of my bottom lip. A tremor shakes his shoulders. He’s excited by my reaction. I can see it in his eyes.
And I like his excitement. Oh, God. This is all wrong. I was supposed to be mad at him. At the very least, I was supposed to get answers out of him.
If he doesn’t leave this room right now, I’ll lose control.
Ducking beneath his arms, I stride to the door and point. “Please leave.”
He stares at me for three breaths. Then he nods. “You’re right.” He rubs his head, and for the first time I wonder if he’s as conflicted inside as I am. “I’m going back to the Winter Court tonight with my father. I have to fix this before it gets out.”
My heart lurches sideways. “Does that mean—did the eternal fire thing make a mistake?”
I’m supposed to feel hope at the idea, but all I experience is panic.
