Page 19 of The Yuletide Fairy's Curse

Over his back: a sword.

Dalla squeezed Kolfrosta’s hand. She shivered against Dalla’s touch. The snow under her skin whirled furiously like a blizzard. She was still bright as the sun—or perhaps more like a candle waiting to be extinguished.

Puck reached the base of the stairs where they stood.

“Shall I make this one invisible too, then?” Puck asked. His voice rang out over the empty hall. “Your sick game is getting old.”

His eyes flickered to Dalla’s hand in Kolfrosta’s, and then up into Dalla’s face. Dalla’s skin burned under his gaze.

“She still knows who she is,” he said in awe.

“And I still remember how you lied to me,” said Dalla.

She released Kolfrosta and lunged forward, dagger in hand. In one practiced move, she sank the dagger into his chest and twisted. Light burst forth from the wound. Fragrant pollen exploded into the air.

He staggered back, and then laughed. “Only Kolfrosta can kill me,” he said.

“And only I can take your power,” said Dalla.

She removed the dagger and flicked it upward, severing the chain of his pendant. The pendant slipped into her open palm, and she stepped out of reach as he swung for her.

His face was red. Kolfrosta watched on, confusion knitting her brow.

Dalla held the pendant up for both of them to see. And then she closed her fist and squeezed.

The pendant shattered in her grasp. Blood dripped between her fingers. Puck fell to the ground, clutching his chest and coughing like he was choking on his own blood.

“Dalla…” Kolfrosta looked at Dalla, eyes wide with wonder.

“Would you like to do the honors?” Dalla asked.

Kolfrosta understood. She moved to where Puck moaned on the ground and grasped his head with both hands. She breathed in deeply and pressed her forehead to his.

Dalla made herself watch as Puck screamed.

When it was over, Puck’s eyes were closed, his body curled up on the ground. Dalla pushed forward and took Kolfrosta’s hand in her own.

Kolfrosta shook—with victory or with nerves, Dalla couldn’t tell. “Thank you,” she said, “but do you know what you have done?”

“Yes,” said Dalla. “I have stolen power from someone who used it wrong and given it to you, who I trust to do right.”

“It will never be summer again,” Kolfrosta said.

“Winter eternal. I figured so. The world is better for it, but we both have a lot of work to do to set things right.”

Kolfrosta lifted her chin. “You will help me, then? Will you rule by my side?”

“Always,” said Dalla. She bent to one knee and proffered her dagger with both hands. “My love, my life, my winter. This is my gift to you.”

Eyes glittering like snow crystals, Kolfrosta accepted the dagger.

THE END