Page 7 of Frosty and the Reaper

The female’s eyes narrowed. “The master really brought you here?”

Since she sounded so skeptical, Kami figured that it was highly unusual for Zander to bring a female back to his lair. That pleased her far more than it should have, all things considered. However, Zander was an ancient dark god. It would have been ridiculous to assume that he had never had a companion during his long life. Still, that thought darkened her mood instantly, so she ruthlessly pushed it aside.

Pasting a pleasant smile on her face, she said, “I’m sure you know it would have been impossible for me to find this place without him. Hi, I’m Zander’s mate—”

The demon immediately got rid of her knives and knelt down on one knee, crossing her arms over her chest. “Forgive me for not greeting you properly, Mistress!”

“Oh, please, don’t do that. Really.” Kami hurried forward and grabbed hold of the female’s arm, trying to pull her back up. “We just found out we are mates about an hour ago, so it’s kind of a surprise for all of us.”

The female gracefully rose to her feet. “You are not from the Hell Realm.”

“No, I’m fae. Or I guess I’m actually half fae,” she amended. “My name is Kamilla Frost, but everyone calls me Kami.”

The demon’s face paled. “You are the Princess of the Winter Kingdom, sister to the new queen.”

“Yes, I am.”

“But you said you are only half fae?”

Kami sighed as her stomach grumbled again. “I’m kind of having an identity crisis at the moment. It would be a whole lot easier to explain if I could have something to eat. I’m starving.”

“Of course. Please come with me. There is a fully stocked kitchen in that pavilion over there,” she said, pointing toward a structure with a rooftop that looked like it was made out of a giant, sparkling sapphire. “That is usually the domain of the pixies who live on the island. They would be happy to make you anything you desire, or if you prefer to cook yourself—”

“Oh, no,” Kami laughed as she shook her head. “The only thing I can manage on my own is ramen and mac and cheese. And I sometimes manage to screw that up if I’m not paying attention.”

“Then, we shall leave it to the pixies. I’m Maleficent, by the way. But you can call me Mali.”

“Maleficent? As in the evil fairy who turns into a dragon?”

Mali huffed out an irritated breath. “I get drunk and shift one damn time, and they make me into some freaking evil villain? I swear, it’s just not fair. I didn’t even eat anyone.”

“You are a dragon shifter?”

“Hellfire, no. It was just a spell that turned me into a dragon for a few hours. Gave me a bloody headache that lasted for a full week after, too,” she added. “I’m a demon, as is my mate, Rufus. We have been the caretakers here for centuries and have been waiting for the master’s return.”

Kami felt a little relieved hearing that. “Where is here exactly?”

Mali smiled and held an arm out in a sweeping gesture. “This is the In Between.”

“In Between? Is that the island’s official title?”

“It is,” she agreed. “It makes sense once you realize that this island exists in between the six realms.”

Kami groaned. “Another realm? How many extra realms are floating around out there? And why the hell do we call it the six realms if there are more?”

“I…have no idea.” Mali’s brows furrowed. “Are there other realms beside this one?”

“The one I own.”

“You own a realm?”

“Unfortunately, I do. But…that’s a long story.”

Mali was wise enough not to ask any more questions as she continued leading the way toward the pavilion with the sapphire rooftop. The In Between might have seemed like a strange name, but it was an accurate description for the island. And not just because it existed between realms. With the starry night sky above and the colorful clouds that looked like pastel puffs of cotton candy below, the island also seemed to hover between night and day.

“What time is it? Or does time even exist here?”

“It does, and it doesn’t,” Mali replied cryptically. “The view of the sky doesn’t change here since there is no sun or moon to mark day or night. However, time does pass here. It is just not as consistent as it is within the six realms.”