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Without breaking eye contact, he says, “I need a moment with Summer.”
Mack hesitates, her arms crossed.
But I nod without looking at her. “It’s okay.”
“Fine, but I’m right outside,” she points out. “In case you need me.”
When she’s gone, he releases Ruby. “While I appreciate your concern for Summer,” he says, “this is between me and my mate.”
Mate. The word reverberates through me like a curse, even as something warm and electric opens inside my middle.
I hear Ruby cussing all the way down the hall. When she’s gone, he conjures a gust of wind to shut the door. I glance at the door, back to him. The knowledge that he could keep the door closed for as long as he wants settles in my core, along with the knowledge of what might happen if we’re alone.
Already I can feel my body responding to his closeness. Changing. The anger and tension bleeding from my shoulders and neck. The need to feel his touch, to kiss him and more, so much more, consumes me.
He stares into my eyes for a long time. Then his focus shifts to my lips. He goes to drag a thumb over my bottom lip and I slap his hand away. He blinks, a growl stirring his chest, and then tries again.
I hate how my lips part for him. How I gasp as the rough pad of his thumb brushes the sensitive part of my bottom lip. A tremor shakes his shoulders. He’s excited by my reaction. I can see it in his eyes.
And I like his excitement. Oh, God. This is all wrong. I was supposed to be mad at him. At the very least, I was supposed to get answers out of him.
If he doesn’t leave this room right now, I’ll lose control.
Ducking beneath his arms, I stride to the door and point. “Please leave.”
He stares at me for three breaths. Then he nods. “You’re right.” He rubs his head, and for the first time I wonder if he’s as conflicted inside as I am. “I’m going back to the Winter Court tonight with my father. I have to fix this before it gets out.”
My heart lurches sideways. “Does that mean—did the eternal fire thing make a mistake?”
I’m supposed to feel hope at the idea, but all I experience is panic.
He walks up behind me and his arms slip around my waist. His fingers splay over my stomach, low and firm, his chin resting in the spot above my collarbone. The fabric of my dress is so thin that I might as well be naked, the cold of his fingers bleeding into my flesh.
His lips brush the sensitive shell of my ear. “Does this feel like a mistake to you?”
I sink into him, sighing as I do. Holy hell. Nothing should feel this good.
“No,” I whisper.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. Eclipsa is going with me, but Asher will stay here with you. When I return, I’ll explain everything.”
“You’re missing the dance?”
“Not if I can help it.”
My body jerks as he pulls away. A rush of air hisses through my teeth. “Wait. I don’t understand any of this. I don’t even know . . . your name.”
He stiffens. Outside, snow batters the windows in violent bursts. When he looks at me, there’s such vulnerability in his face that I fight to avert my gaze. “I have enemies everywhere. Enemies who would use such information to destroy me.”
I reach into my dress and tug out my pendant. “I have this. I think it’s why I was immune to your glamour, which means no one can force me to reveal your name.”
“Even so. Trusting isn’t in my nature. Call it a result of my upbringing.”
The dark sarcasm in his voice can’t hide his pain.
“Prince, I’m not your enemy.”
“Life has taught me that everyone is a potential opponent, even those close to me.” A muscle flickers in his jaw. “Especially people close to me.”
