Page 40 of Daman

“None of that king talk. Not when it’s only family around.” Nikolai gripped my bicep before releasing me. “All of your belongings have already been moved to the new home. Armen will show you the way.”

“Thank you, Nikolai.”

“Yeah,” Daman said. “Um, thanks.”

He didn’t sound too thrilled about it. Perhaps he didn’t see the ice kingdom as a place he could call home, so a house with me held no excitement for him. Was he counting the days until he could return to Echo Bay?

Armen wandered over to us, a smile breaking across his young face. “It was hard keeping this a secret from you, Your Highness. But you’re going to love your house. I’ll fetch your coats, and then I’ll take you.”

Daman bundled up in a heavy coat and gloves while I carried mine over my arm. The fresh, cold air as we left the castle was a welcomed change after being crammed inside the crowded ballroom for most of the day.

“Do you want me to get the snowmobiles?” Armen asked. “Or would you rather walk?”

“Walking’s fine with me,” Daman answered. “It’ll be nice to stretch my legs.”

Armen then led us through the gardens and past the courtyard before coming to a path leading into the forest.

“It’s not too far,” he said, wincing a bit as he limped forward. He’d been on his feet all day, and his leg hurt. He never once complained though. “Only a few minutes’ walk through the trees.”

“I don’t recall there being a house out here,” I said, slowing my pace so Armen didn’t feel like he had to go any faster. Daman seemed to catch on to my intent and slowed his as well.

“It’s newly built.” Armen tossed me another smile. “King Nikolai had men working day and night for the past two weeks. They used enchantments to keep you from seeing it when you wandered the grounds.”

It warmed my heart that Nikolai had put so much thought into his gift to us. I hadn’t minded living in the castle, but it would be nice to have our own place. Plus, Daman didn’t like being around a lot of people. Having his own space might make him happy.

Well, as happy as he could be with me.

“Here we are,” Armen said as we left the forest and stepped into a clearing.

Lights shone through the windows of the two-story cottage, the soft glow reflecting on the snow around it. The home was bigger than what two people needed, but my brother had kept the design simple and not too over-the-top. He’d kept my tastes for simplicity in mind while at the same time showing a hint of extravagance.

The arched roof in the front and rock siding gave it a storybook feel, like a home pulled from the pages of a fairy tale.

The stone path leading to the front door was lit. Daman’s eyes were wider than usual as he took in the sights, and his lips started to curve up a bit as we neared the porch. When he caught me looking, his expression reverted to a scowl. His guard had lowered for just a moment, then shot back up.

“He doesn’t let anyone close to him.”

It was foolish to think I’d be an exception.

“I’ll leave you to get settled,” Armen said, bowing. “I’ll return in the morning to cook you breakfast and attend to any laundry.”

“Would you like to come in and warm up by the fire before you go?” I asked, noting the pink of his cheeks and slight quivering of his chin.

“You’re most gracious, Prince Warrin, but I must decline. The ballroom needs to be cleaned.”

“Leave it for tomorrow,” I said. “If you don’t want to come in, I order you to return to the castle and sleep. You’ve done enough work for today.”

“Yes, sir. See you both in the morning.” He turned and walked back down the path toward the wall of trees.

I slid the key into the lock and opened the door, letting Daman enter first before stepping in after him. He stopped in the entryway and stared up at the cathedral ceiling before glancing at the living area to the left where a fire burned in the hearth.

“It’s cozy,” he said, taking off his coat and gloves. He placed them on a chair and walked farther inside. “You really didn’t know they were building this?”

“I had no idea.”

“The architecture is stunning.” Daman smoothed his hand along the frame of an arched doorway before continuing on.

Daman went to each room, and I followed him in silence. The cottage was fully furnished with couches, armchairs, a dining table and chairs, dishes in the kitchen, as well as food stocked in the pantry and refrigerator. Personal touches like photographs were absent, but a few paintings hung on the walls. The main bathroom had a large claw-foot tub big enough to fit two people and a stand-up shower in the corner surrounded by glass doors.