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We lose ourselves to the moment, indulging in the silence of the snowstorm as we explore each other.
Time slips, but eventually, I remember myself. Where we are. The broadcast at the store. Mother. And... my engagement. Being back in the Winter Court is problematic for more reasons than one.
I pull away, groaning.
Nathaniel looks at me, his brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?”
I sit back. “Did you hear what I said earlier? We have to go.”
His eyes search mine for a long moment. “Are you sure?” he asks huskily. “I can think of a lot of ways we can entertain ourselves in the wild. We can stay here as long as you need.”
“If I had it my way, we wouldn’t be here at all,” I say, fiddling with the tail of my braid and ignoring the ache in my lower belly. “But we are. And you were right.”
He places a hand over his heart, flying backward into the snow and falling as though he’s been shot with an arrow. “By the gods. Elva, did you just say I am right about something?”
Groaning, I rest my head against the tree, peeking out through lowered eyelashes as he dramatically lies on the ground. “I did,” I say tartly. “But don’t get used to it. I’m sure it won’t happen often.”
“Even once is enough for me, darling,” he says before returning to life.
He jumps to his feet and pulls a flaming rose from his pocket. He hands it to me with a flourish bow. “For you, Princess.”
I take it, admiring the handiwork. His creations are warm but never burn my skin.
After a moment, he coughs. “Out of curiosity, what was I right about?”
Twirling the flaming flower, I inspect it as I consider my next words.
“We can’t just go charging into the Winter Court,” I say. “For all I know, my mother is expecting us. Besides... if I just kill her without a plan, the entire territory will be thrown into turmoil, and I don’t want to be the cause of that.”
He is silent for a moment, biting his lip as he appears to consider my words. “I think that’s very wise. Whatdoyou want to do?”
"I think it's time we visit a certain Ice Mer."
Chapter29
And To Your Left, Aqualis
NATHANIEL
Aqualis is a place that is simply not made for Fae. Temporary spells are available at the land entrance, but they make me claw at my skin in desperation. I cannot think of anything other than the suffocating pressure on my lungs or the searing sensation on my neck.
When I look over, Elva is wonderful. She takes my hand and drags me into the water. At first, the saltwater stings my eyes, and the suffocating feeling intensifies. But only for a moment.
All too suddenly, I can feel water rush through new growths on the sides of my neck. They feel odd, out of place, but my chest rises and falls normally.
I stroke my fingers along the bumpy ridges as I look at Elva.Damn. We grew gills.
“Leave it to the Mer,” I grumble, staring at my once-beautiful hands now webbed like a frog.
Elva’s feet move up and down in graceful waves. She discarded her shoes on land, and a pair of brown fins now peek out under her pant cuffs, but they suit her. Everything suits her beautiful body.
The water is bitterly cold, but I cast a bubble of warmth around us, keeping away the frost. Schools of fish pass us, their scales glimmering in the murky sunlight like dozens of gems. As we descend further into the depth, the water pressure still doesn’t harm us.
Lanterns of bioluminescent plants sway gently around us, their tips reaching toward the surface. Two hefty hammerhead sharks guard the tunneled entrance to Aqualis, the Ice Mer’s grand city. I am positive that no other Summer Fae has ever come to this place. The Ice Mer are not very welcoming to those on their own continent.
As we pass through the streets, I am acutely aware of two things. First, Elva knows her way to wherever we are going very well. This worries me slightly because I know she was engaged to the prince–I suppose they are possibly still engaged–we haven’t really talked about it. Second, there are no ‘other species’ besides us.
“Thanks for the heat,” Elva finally says over her shoulder as we tuck into a narrow empty street. I glimpse her tattoos that glow in the marine lights.
