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Once she’s out of sight, I trudge across campus to the prince’s tiny mansion. The setting sun colors the frozen surface of the lake rosy pink and tinges the sky tangerine. Sunlight. I’d almost forgotten what it felt like on my skin.
Come to think of it, the weather has been better lately. The prince’s mood has improved, I suppose. I’d kill to know what—or who—is responsible for that shift.
My gaze wanders the rest of the grounds.
If not for the pointy-eared inhabitants and the bitter, numbing cold, this place would be beautiful beyond anything I’ve ever known.
Especially now with the campus decorated for Yule. Large clusters of silver bells hang from evergreen trees, their tinkling a constant song. Streamers waft around totem poles for each court, placed all over the campus by the second years. They also strung our dormitories with strings of colorful orbs. The magical glow lights the dusky sky.
In the distance, candlelight flickers inside the arched windows of Queen Titania’s temple. Shadow students aren’t allowed to participate in any of the temple celebrations until second year, but I’ve heard rumors of Fae and humans alike offering sacrifices during the Winter Solstice.
I glance at the sky above the prince’s house. Pale smoke drifts from the tall stone chimney. He’s home. Surprising, since most of the Fae have already left to join their families for the long holiday weekend.
I can’t tell from my chaos of emotions whether I’m happy or disappointed he’s here.
More like terrified, since I saw Eclipsa leave for her family’s palace in the Lunar Court half an hour ago.
Here, alone. Together.
I want to be near you always, Summer. I tremble as his voice replays inside my head. My lips press together as I remember how he brushed his mouth over mine.
Holding my breath, I enter as noiselessly as possible. Which is impossible with his heightened Fae senses.
Heart racing, I sneak a quick glance up the stairs. He must be in his room, but I can feel his presence as if he’s right next to me. The stupid magical rope between us tugging low and insistent in my belly. Trying to pull me up toward him. To close the distance between us.
At the same time, I have this overwhelming urge to smell him like some weirdo. To hear his snarky voice and see one of his rare smiles and feel the weight of his intense, penetrating gaze on my flesh.
Like that’s not annoying at all. Particularly when I know deep down how irrational this is. I’m supposed to hate him, not want to rip off his clothes and sniff him like a candle at Target.
I pad up the stairs, cursing each creak. When I pass the prince’s room, I hesitate, caught in his orbit. I can feel him on the other side, waiting.
For me to come inside? Screw that. He tried to glamour me, to erase my memories. I might be caught in a wave of undeniable attraction for him, but that’s a betrayal I can’t just forget.
“Summer?”
I startle at his voice. Its velvety smoothness settling deep inside me. A voice shouldn’t possess that power, especially when attached to a face like his.
“Come in,” he orders.
Orders.
Shit. My stubborn side surfaces, and I contemplate stomping down the hall to my room. But of course I don’t do that.
I slip inside but leave the door open. It’s dumb. There’s no one here but Ruby, and odds are high she’s passed out somewhere. But maybe if I pretend Eclipsa is just down the hall blaring her heavy metal pixie music, I won’t do anything stupid.
I pause near his door, my eyes wide as I take in his room. It’s furnished for royalty. A king-sized bed of marble takes up the right side. Ice-blue silk drapes frame the huge windows. A white fur rug, similar to the one in my bedroom but a million times bigger, spreads across the floor.
The Winter Prince lounges on his bed, propped up on pillows. And he isn’t wearing a shirt. Thankfully he is wearing the same dark sweatpants from the night on the roof, his bare feet giving him a strange, almost boyish look that clashes with the savage beauty of his features.
“Hey, you called?” Somehow my voice comes out disinterested. Summer for the win.
“You didn’t go with Mack?” he asks softly.
I shrug, keeping the pain from my face. “I never really liked Christmas anyway.”
His inky brows gather. “You know, for a human, you’re a terrible liar.”
I sigh. “What would you have me say? Of course I love Christmas. There’s pies and presents and hot cocoa, and everyone is nicer than normal. It’s like the most magical time on earth. But none of that matters when I’m not with my family.”
