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Half an hour later,I trudge through the snow to where I left him. The Summer Fae is thawed, his flame shining brightly against the early evening violet sky.
"Come with me," I say, twisting my hands in front of me. Something about this male makes me feel like a youngling all over again.
He follows me wordlessly as I lead him into the grove of trees to the clearing where I've been working. He stops short, and I watch nervously as he runs his hand over the smooth icy dome that I've built. A small tunnel leads to the larger interior, with a hole at the top.
"Do you like it?" I ask, biting my lower lip. "I know it's not much, but it'll provide shelter for us until we can figure out a plan, and—"
He holds up a hand. "It's perfect, Elva. I've never seen an igloo in real life before."
He ducks his head and crawls through the entrance. "Are you coming?" He calls a moment later.
Nodding, I take one last look around the clearing. We're surrounded by snow-covered pine trees and nothing else. It's perfect.
Grinning to myself, I follow the Summer Fae into the igloo. He's sitting in the middle of the small circle, a tiny flame floating above his hand.
"This is amazing, Elva. Thank you."
I sit down next to him, leaning against the back of the igloo, and stretch out my legs.
"So... what's that long story?"
Chapter23
Tell Me More
NATHANIEL
Elva is looking at me expectantly. I’m unnerved to see how thin she has gotten. Her skin is dull like she’s been forced to stay inside. I think about what Esmeralda said about her being imprisoned here. It makes me shiver.
I blink and rustle my hair. “Um, if you really want to hear it, you’re going to find out just how long I’ve been… yearning for you.” I wince at the word. It’s such a personal thing to admit.
Her eyes are wide, eager even.
No, I know that expression. I’ve seen it reflected in my face. She’s hungry for connection. It is not something I have seen from her before. But I have also never been inside an igloo with her, surrounded by potential enemies in the middle of the North.
“Can I ask you something else before you start?” She doesn’t acknowledge the tenderness so clearly shining in her eyes.
“Anything,” I breathe, reaching up to hold one of her stray curls between my fingers. I don’t even realize it until it’s too late.
“What’s your name?”
I let out a reactionary laugh. Here I am using her name gratuitously, and I’ve never introduced myself. We have spent so much time referring to each other without it… It would be a shame to spend another minute like this.
“Nathaniel. Some people call me Nate.” I shrug. “I don’t know if I have a preference.”
She tilts her head to the side. “How about… ‘Nathan’?”
She says it with reverence, and I grin.Elva and Nathan.
“I like it. But don’t expect me to come up with a nickname for you. Elva is the most beautiful word I’ve ever heard.”
She exhales, and pure joy breathes out with her. Her lips wobble as if she’s fighting a smile.
“So, the story? I was promised to hear about how irresistible I am.”
“Wait,” I start, “Was that a joke?” Our laughter fills the small place, and somehow we settle beside each other, our shoulders and arms touching.
It felt normal when it happened, but now we both realize how close we are. I want to relieve some of the tension, so I start speaking. “I guess I can start with the last time we saw each other. Over two years ago. I kind of got into the news. Like watching the news. It was partly to keep up with shipping details for work… But mostly, it was to see if I saw you. Or news about the Winter Fae.”
