Court of Winter (Fae of Snow & Ice, #1)(43)

“Good evening, my prince,” I replied icily. “I trust you are well and had a pleasant afternoon?”

The corner of his mouth kicked up before he fell into the chair across from me, his wings stretching behind him. They were so long they nearly touched the bar. “Why is it that every time you address me, there’s always an underlying tone of derision in your voice?”

“Is there?” I replied innocently. “I’m afraid I don’t know, my prince.”

A rumble of his power vibrated the floor.

I whipped my gaze away, anywhere but to look at his sculpted chest and broad shoulders that were clearly visible in his fresh tunic.

“I was told you only requested food in the past hour. Was the earlier meal not to your liking?” he asked.

“It was fine, my prince.”

“Then why didn’t you eat sooner? You’re too thin as it is.”

My lips pressed into a tight line, and I debated telling him that I hadn’t realized my weight was also being monitored, but then a knock came at the door.

“Dear brother? Are you in here?” a male called. “I was told you’d escaped to your wing for the night, and I haven’t been able to find you.”

The prince was on his feet and crossing the room before I could blink. He reached the door just as it was opening.

“Nori?” the male called. “Are you in here?”

“What is it, Nuwin?” the prince growled.

“Ah, you are here. I just came to see how your travels were, and if—” The newcomer’s voice abruptly cut off as the aura from the prince strengthened a thousand-fold. “What do we have here? Are you keeping a female in here?”

The prince tried to block the door and the newcomer’s view of me. “Not now.”

The male laughed, not seeming the least concerned by the crown prince’s surly tone. “Is this what you were doing while you were traipsing around the continent? When you were supposed to be—”

“I said not now.” The prince’s tone left no room for argument, which only made me more curious.

I was standing from the couch and striding toward the door before the prince could stop me. If Prince Norivun thought he could hide me away in the castle and keep my imprisonment a secret, then he had another thing coming. I would relay my unlawful captivity to anyone with the authority to return me home, and perhaps this newcomer was just that.

“Hello.” I brought my fist to my heart in traditional greeting as I peered around the prince’s broad back to his apparent brother. “My name’s Ilara Seary, daughter of Mervalee Territory, and I’m being kept here against my will.”

Prince Norivun cast me a scathing look, but I ignored him and turned plea-filled eyes on Nuwin.

“Brother?” The male laughed, and my breath sucked in at the likeness of the two.

Nuwin was just as tall and imposing as the prince, but his black wings weren’t as large, and a lighter aura surrounded him, making him less intimidating. One look at his fine clothes, sultry smile, and twinkling blue eyes told me that such likeness extended to his personality.

Blessed Mother, maybe he’ll help me.

Nuwin shifted his attention to the prince. “So you were flying with a female when you returned today. I heard a few mutterings among the guards, and Lord Crimsonale is most curious, but I didn’t know if it was true or some strange new political maneuver.”

I tried to push past the prince, but he blocked me. “Please, help me!” I begged of Nuwin. “I just want to go home.”

The prince cut me an irritated glare. “You’re staying here.”

Nuwin glanced between the two of us, but instead of concern, a delighted smile crossed over his face. “So you’ve finally found a female that intrigues you.”

A low growl of discontent vibrated the prince’s chest. “Ilara is none of your concern.”

“I am a concern if you can get me out of here!” I interjected.

But the prince’s brother ignored me completely and laughed again, a rich, booming sound that seemed to fill up the entire hallway. His jovialness was a complete contradiction to the gravity of this situation, and I wondered if he was perhaps simple-minded, but then his next comment knocked that thought clear out of my head.

“Why, dear brother,” Nuwin said, clapping the crown prince’s shoulder, “after all of these winters, you’ve finally taken a courtesan.”





CHAPTER 13





“A courtesan?” I retorted. My cheeks flushed as a snarl cut loose from the prince. “No, I’m a prisoner.”

“She’s not a courtesan or a prisoner, and you’re to address her with respect, brother,” the prince growled.

“Excuse me?” I placed my hands on my hips, facing Prince Norivun. “I’m most definitely a prisoner.”

Nuwin ignored both of us and pushed the door open before strolling toward the ice bar. He gave the Death Master an amused smirk, then pulled out a bottle of alcohol.

“Drink, Ilara?” Prince Nuwin asked, his eyes still twinkling, which got another growl from the crown prince.

“Seriously? That’s your response?” I rolled my eyes at Nuwin when he continued to wait for an affirmation. “Fine, actually, yes. I think I need one.”