Page 148 of Winter Gods & Serpents

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Alone, I’d felt terribly alone. How could I not be, I’d distanced just about everyone after that day but mostly him. Him I could not even bare to glance without wanting to look at all day. Worst part was the constant state of fervour he’d put me in.

Pen came panting inside the bathroom. “Sharp smile is back. Elias, his whole team has returned,” she informed me in a breath before dropping to the ground tired from the run.

I half patted my hair dry before quickly sliding on a sapphire sleek long sleeved dress that clung so tightly you could see all the outline of my breast and curves. I should have worn something under, but I had no time. He could be called to Venzor and I’d lose my chance. Barely snapping all buttons shut I rushed out with a screaming, flustered Penelope running behind me.

She clung to my arm. “Go back, go back. I will be hung if anyone say you like this.”

“Die an honourable death and let me go.”

“Where is she going?” I heard Cai ask Pen, while the three chased behind me.

“To my death,” the red head wailed before reaching my pace. “You have to wear something else or your father will have my head.”

“You will not be beheaded, Pen, don’t be ridiculous, they are just breasts. Elias will make way to some other form of entertainment if I am not first to greet him.” Just as I crossed a corridor corner, I came to face Kilian and Nia coming in my direction.

“Elias?” Cai called half mad behind me. “Why are you meeting him?”

“Because I want too,” I said, moving past the other two who’d stunned still in ridiculous surprise.

Nia made to move forward and say something, her mouth gaped open at my wondrous sight, but I continued past, ignoring them both.

Pen quickly fell right to my step. “You might as well go naked. I can see everything from the top of the mountain.”

“Do not challenge me.”

“Snowlin, you ragged princess, stop right now, no one can see you like that.” she called breathless, Mal and Cai trailing behind her as well. “Tell her,” she pleaded toward all four of them.

What a gathering, from four disrespectful fools to five all in one little corridor. I could almost laugh, had I not repeated what had happened that morning over one thousand times already. Every detail I remembered brought me a step closer to rage, especially with him, the silver eyed snake.

“Be careful Penelope, she could have your tongue and then feed it to you,” a strong male called playfully from the other side of the corridor.

“Elias,” I greeted with a saccharine voice, making him smile. Just who I wanted to see.

“I have missed you too, my raven.” I noticed his eyes travel down my body and I straightened my back slightly. I was terribly cold, the water from my hair soaked the silk fabric that clung to all curves of my body. But I wanted him to see everything, he was mine now. I moved swiftly and wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a hug. He seemed surprised at first but then he placed his hands on my waist, pulling me closer. That was not the slightest awkward.

“Should I bring you a cloak, Snow?” Pen questioned carefully behind my back.

“But why? It is so very warm in the castle today,” I replied, turning towards them, moving the hair covering my front, back. Her eyes widened at my gesture and I could not contain a smile. The rest looked like they were not breathing, staring at me and Elias. I liked them better like that, silence was a good look for them.

“Elias, it is my turn to ask for a moment alone, you owe me one to many.”

“You have my time and attention completely, you need not ask, never.”

I linked my arm to his and followed him onto a waiting chamber. Cai and Mal stood back, barely convinced not to follow me inside after threats of nudity and a lot of dagger wielding.

Elias sat in a large settee, he traced my lines again and then he met my gaze so gently I almost felt sorry for what I was doing. I waltzed slowly towards the settee and sat closely to him, propping my face on my hand, elbow resting on the back of the settee facing him.

“You were gone for too long, Elias, why is my father dragging you away from the castle?” I asked playing with the lapel of his jacket. “Away from everyone.”

He grabbed my gloved hand, lacing it with his. He planted a kiss on top of it. Different from what his smug character and sly personality, he had always been very gentle with me. I did not know if I liked it or not, being treated like a little delicate flower had never been my liking before.

“Believe me Snowlin, if I could, I would not leave.”

“But the Solaryans are getting worse now I suppose, let alone being dealt only by such a small team,” I tested without hesitation. When I told Sam I would get him to speak before I enter his bed it had not been a lie. I folded a leg under me on the settee, dragging the fabric of my dress up, exposing my other leg completely which expectedly was enough to drag his attention.

“Yes, it is harder,” he said absently, eyes still there. “Moregan is also not as giving as Samuel either.”