Page 27

Sav

T hough I was glad to be out of the summer court and away from its prince, the ice in my veins hadn’t relented since arriving in winter, making my teeth chatter.

I’d groaned in absolute ecstasy when one of the staff showed me to the baths.

Now, I slid down, dipping below the surface, and let the warm water sink into my bones.

It warmed my frostbitten toes and fingers, bleeding life into my frozen limbs.

Underwater, my eyes fluttered closed, and I frowned when my mind drifted to Jack. Seeing him recovered enough to open his eyes—and ogle Hazel—a tightness in my chest had eased. Even if the urge to kill him had doubled when he opened his mouth.

Breaking the surface, I inhaled the scent of mint and peony and sighed, banishing thoughts of the human. Though it was freezing year-round, there was something soothing about the winter court. Perhaps because this was Mab’s kingdom, the birthplace of high fae and the root of all high magic.

Low fae had existed long before we came to be, but their magic was wild, tied to the land, and it fed the cycle rather than controlling it.

Ours was a magic made to change. It affected the seasons, drew a soft blanket over Faerie when it grew too hot or called down a balmy rain when the soil was parched.

Our magic had consequences and, in the wrong hands, could devastate.

But what did it matter now? When the realm continued shrinking every day, forcing more creatures into the human realm as their land was eaten up by whatever magic was destroying Faerie. What good was all that power if we weren’t able to save ourselves?

Bubbles erupted from the bath, and I jumped back as a dripping wet head emerged from between my thighs.

I scrambled away. “Kaspar, what are you doing here? This isn’t a lake or stream.

” Although the baths weren’t private here like in the human realm, sharing one was typically reserved for one’s lover.

Water ran in rivulets over his faintly luminescent skin as his navy lips spread in a wide grin.

“These baths are fed by a natural hot spring.” I shoved his chest, pushing him away as the rest of his fully nude form materialized in the tub.

“Can’t your betrothed share a bath? It’s so cold in this kingdom. ”

I scowled at him. “I rejected the suit. You’re nothing to me.”

His hand flew to his scaled chest, mock outrage written across his face. “You wound me, Princess.”

“Don’t call me that.” Kaspar always knew just what to say to get under my skin. Titles, unearned and undeserved, were like ice water dumped on me. That he knew that and used them anyway only showed how cold and unfeeling he truly was.

He leaned back in the tub, arms resting along the lip as he surveyed me. “Look at you, my lady, reduced to this weak form, hardly any magic at your disposal, lugging around a human plaything.”

My gaze whipped around the space. “Don’t say that.”

He held up a hand. “I apologize.”

“I mean it, Kaspar—”

“Forgive me, Sav .”

I exhaled slowly, letting my gaze drop. Much as I wanted to be angry with him for appearing in my bath and expecting me to be civil to him after what he’d done, Kaspar was, at his core, a water fae.

They simply didn’t think or feel the way we did.

“What are you doing here? You hate the winter court.”

“I had to be sure they were looking after you.”

“Why?”

Kaspar leaned forward, reaching for my fingers and tugging them to his mouth. “Are we not long acquaintances?” Cool lips brushed over my knuckles. “And am I not allowed to ensure my betrothed has been looked after?”

I yanked my hand back. “I’m not your betrothed. How many times do I have to tell you? Are you so desperate to align yourself with a court that you would pursue me even when you know I loathe you?”

He laughed. It was musical and lilting with so much magic he couldn’t contain it. “Yours is not the only court with eligible females I could partner with. Hazel would have me this instant if I offered. You would be trapped in this state forever. Is that what you truly want?”

I scowled. “You hate Winter.”

“She’s beautiful, though. I bet she does all sorts of kinky things with that tail.”

I chewed my bottom lip, and my shoulders curled in. “I can’t. I can’t give myself away for a political alliance.”

Kaspar leaned forward, and his cool breath tickled my nose. “We could be happy.” His bright eyes bored into mine, searching for some answer I didn’t have.

In another life, one where I wasn’t so broken, perhaps I might have convinced myself to settle for what Kaspar offered. Security, safety, companionship. “You know what I want,” I whispered.

He released a shuddering breath and slid back, looking away. “I’m not like you, Sav. This cold heart doesn’t love.”

“I know,” I murmured. “I don’t blame you. But…”

“But you won’t marry for anything less.”

I nodded, and with one final resigned sigh, he dipped below the water and was gone.