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“Ivy,” Maeve whispered. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing. You shouldn’t let the Winter King hurt you again. This time, it won’t just be your heart he destroys. He’ll kill you without hesitation, and if you don’t get yourself together, you won’t stand a chance against him.”
That was the second time she’d said he’d kill me without pause, and I wanted to ask what she meant, but the scenery around me morphed, and a memory flashed into my mind.
Kieran and I stood at the base of a long stone staircase before a towering white mansion. Snow fell from the sky, and I shivered, but I refused to show weakness to the Winter King, especially while in his kingdom…especially after what he’d done to me.
Tall, dark, ice-capped mountains rose in jagged peaks behind the castle, making me feel small. I hated feeling inferior. I touched my throat, where something cold pulsed beneath my fingertips.
“Stop doing that,” Kieran snapped. “That doesn’t change anything, and you know it. Did you insist on coming here to make things harder on us?”
I looked at the storage carriers that Maeve, ten other guard members, and the unicorns had brought. There was at least a month’s worth of food for the people of the Winter Court. My guards were removing the food from the carriages, and his guards were replacing it with coal and gems.
“No, King Kieran.” I stood tall, my golden dress flowing in the breeze. “I did not. Mother asked me to come on her behalf. I would rather not see you.” That was only a half-truth. As much as I wanted to see him, each time I did, I left with a broken heart. He’d made it clear that he, his family, and his people would never accept me. That our union would cause civil unrest, no matter what Fate had forged between us.
Each time I saw him, my heart hurt worse, and the only solace I found was sleeping with my best friend and future husband, Dallas. Although what I felt for Dallas was nothing like what I felt for Kieran, Dallas was at least good in bed. Better than the lovers I’d had in the past.
“So, is this going to be a permanent thing?” Kieran grimaced as if the very sight of me disgusted him.
My heart wanted to shatter, but I let my magic swirl through me. The magic eased the edge of the suffering. “I’ll find another arrangement.” I curtseyed, needing to leave before I said something foolish. I needed anger and hate to fuel me, which always happened on my way home.
“Please do.” His jaw clenched, and his eyes darkened.
I had to turn away. The regret would soon flash in his eyes, and it would make leaving that much harder. I had to be strong. I couldn’t ruin my family’s name.
I turned on my heels and let my wings explode from my back.
Maeve glanced at me with concern, but I ignored her. I didn’t need some guard to see how much Kieran affected me. She was way too nosy.
Someone shook my shoulders, forcing me back into the present. I rubbed my heart, my vision cloudy.
Those emotions had been so strong and real. Kieran had rejected me in my previous incarnation. Could that be why he was being nicer to me now? Guilt?
Maeve touched my arm, scanning me. “Stay away from him, Ivy.”
I nodded, trying to swallow. My mouth was too dry, making it impossible. Whatever was brewing between Kieran and me had been simmering for a while. What the hell was going on? “I will.” I had to. I’d seen what he would do to me.
“Good.” She gestured to the stairs. “You should head to your room before the others return. And you might want to take more of the painkilling medicine. It should’ve worn off by now, but you seem fine.”
The urge to flee churned within me. I didn’t want to see Kieran again. I rolled my shoulders and shrugged. “I’m not hurting, but okay.”
“Be safe.” She waved a hand. “I must leave with my king and queen.”
After nodding good night, I headed up the stairs to my room. My feet and body were exhausted from the long, hard day.
Upstairs by my bedroom door, something dark shifted in the shadows near the stairs.
I shivered and peered around, but the spot had disappeared. My neck cooled, similar to how it had in the memory.
Someone was watching me.
Chapter Seventeen
My blood heated in warning. I hadn’t removed the key from its spot between my breasts, and I didn’t want to with someone potentially watching. I didn’t want them to know where I stored it— not that it was an original place.
My eyes searched every corner, but I didn’t see anyone. The cool, prickling sensation pulsed through me, making me determined to find the source. The sensation reminded me of wariness and longing, identical to my feelings toward Kieran in the memory.
Oh, hell no. This wasn’t okay. I didn’t need to be thinking about him in any way. He’d broken Alina’s heart, and I refused to let him break mine as well. I wanted to die with my dignity intact.
I tensed, preparing to grab my dagger. “Who’s there? I know it’s not a Summer Fae, or they wouldn’t be hiding from me.” A Summer Fae wouldn’t hide in the shadows. The Summer Court liked to be flashy. This stalker scenario had Winter fae written all over it.
