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He spins on his heel, cloak swirling behind him as he storms out, leaving me alone with a hollow pit in my gut. I should’ve known Mr. Practical would stonewall about this bloody history.

I rake both hands through my hair, exhaling heavily. Trying to take shortcuts just made a huge mess, but Ican’t pretend I never learned any of this. There’s got to be a way to make it right someday. I need to prove to Thorn I aim to be worthy, no matter how horrible my royal ancestors were.

Steeling myself, I head back to my room. The past can’t stay buried forever, and when I finally expose the full ugly truth, I vow to help right these wrongs.

Even if it means defying tradition or my own family.

13

Thorn

The frigid winter wind nips at my cheeks as I make my way across the snowy forest path to the frozen lake, my fishing pole over one shoulder and a woven basket with bait and supplies hanging from the other. My boots crunch satisfyingly on the fresh powder with each step. Despite the chill, it’s a crisp, clear morning—perfect weather for sitting out on the ice and hopefully catching some dinner.

Luna darts ahead of me, her white coat blends in perfectly with the white landscape as she bounds through the drifting snow. That playful fox seems thrilled just to be out of the cottage for a change of scenery. Can’t say I blame her. We’ve both been cooped up inside for days now, thanks to that nasty bout of blizzard weather.

I breathe deep, savoring the fresh, piney air. The quiet serenity out here is exactly what my restless spirit needs. Between obsessively waiting for the fated mate bond with a certain infuriating vampire prince to fade and futilely researching ways to quicken that process, I’ve hardly left the cottage. Being surrounded by nothing but snow and trees gives my overworked mind a much-needed break.

As the trail levels out, the frozen expanse of the forest lake comes into view through the barren trees. Luna is already waiting eagerly on the rocky shore, practically bouncing with excitement. That fox never runs out of restless energy. Her bushy tail swishes wildly, scattering fine powder that glitters in the slanting morning sunlight.

I pick my way carefully down the snowy bank to join Luna on the lakeside. “Someone’s raring to go this morning,” I remark wryly, setting down my gear.

Luna yips, darting in playful circles around my legs. Then, she stops to inhale deeply.Ah, the crisp air whets my appetite already. I can practically taste the mouthwatering trout we’ll soon catch, drizzled in lemon and thyme. My friend Sasha centuries ago knew how toprepare fish to perfection. I think you would have liked her.A touch of wistfulness enters her voice.

I glance at her curiously as we make our way to the lakeside. “Sasha? You’ve never mentioned her before. Was she a past companion of yours?”

Luna’s green eyes grow distant with memory.Yes, a dear friend. We met when I was just a young fox learning to use my magic, and she took me under her wing.“ A small smile plays on her lips. “Sasha was clever and vivacious, with a spirit akin to your own. She taught me so much before her time came to depart this world. She was the first mortal I became a familiar for.

I settle onto the icy lakeside, intrigued by this glimpse into Luna’s long past and erstwhile friend. She has clearly lived a rich life, full of adventure, joy, and sorrow. I’m honored she now calls me companion. There is still so much more to learn about my mysterious familiar.

“All right, all right, give me a minute to get set up first.” I laugh, nudging her away gently with my boot. That fox is lucky she’s so adorable.

Kneeling, I clear off a wide patch of ice near the shore until the solid surface is revealed. The ice feels satisfyingly solid and thick beneath my gloves—perfect conditions for fishing. Once I chip open a hole with my small axe, I unpack my supplies and drop the fishing line in, giving Luna a grudging pat on the head when she peers down the hole with boundless curiosity.

“There. Now we can just sit back and wait for some unlucky fish to come investigating this tantalizing worm I’ve provided.” I cock my head toward the rocky outcrop nearby. “Why don’t you play in the snow over there while I focus on catching us dinner?”

Luna gives what I can only assume is meant to be a fox grin before scampering off gleefully. Chuckling under my breath, I settle myself comfortably on the rough wooden stool I brought and turn my gaze to the open ice hole at my feet. A tinge of cold seeps into my boots from the ice, but it’s tolerable for now. And peaceful. It’s been too long since I allowed myself such stillness, listening to the gentle lap of water against the frozen shore and the occasional crackle as ice shifts and settles across the lake. I’ve been keeping myself busy, doing anything I can think of to prevent my mate—no I can’t give him even that—to prevent Draven from entering my thoughts. My home has never been so clean ororganized.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Luna roll exuberantly in the fresh powder before popping up and shaking herself, sending snowflakes scattering in a sparkling cloud. The sight brings a small smile to my lips. I don’t doubt there’s some deeper purpose that drew her into my life right when I needed companionship most, but moments like this are reminders that she’s still a fox at heart.

As I keep one eye on the motionless line in the water before me, my thoughts begin to wander . My attempts to clear my mind fail. It keeps returning to the fateful events a few weeks ago that upended everything—stumbling upon a certain injured vampire out in this very forest and taking him in, only to end up magically bound to the infuriating yet captivating man despite my best efforts to resist.

My heart squeezes with that now familiar ache of something precious found and lost in quick succession. I shouldn’t have let him get so close. Shouldn’t have allowed myself to feel anything for Draven besides wariness.

Then again, fate apparently had other plans. It threw us together and linked our souls without consent. At least I think it was fate’s meddling. Thealternative is too unnerving to consider. It can’t be that this intensity sparked to life between us naturally.

A sharp tug on the line jerks me from my turbulent thoughts. I quickly start reeling, eager for the welcome distraction. Soon, a fat trout breaks the water, shimmering and plump. Perfect.

As I busy myself unhooking the fish and rebaiting the line, I hear Luna trot over, nails clicking against the ice. She peers down at my catch and licks her chops eagerly.

I shake my head in amusement. “Patience. I’ll have this cleaned and cooked up back at home soon.”

Luna huffs dramatically but seems to accept my logic, settling down on her stomach near my stool. I sneak a glance at her as I cast the line out again. Her golden eyes gaze back steadily, seeing far more than just the quiet, snowy landscape around us. Sometimes, it feels like she sees straight through to my conflicted core.

“What?” I ask defensively. “Don’t go prodding at my sore spots right now. I’m barely holding myself together as it is.”

Luna’s expression and gentle mental tone hold only compassion.Thorn, it’s all right to open up aboutwhat’s troubling you so. Keeping it all bottled away can’t be healthy.

I bristle, clutching the fishing pole tighter. “I don’t bottle anything away. You just caught me lost in thought. That’s all.”