Court of Winter (Fae of Snow & Ice, #1)(58)

His hold on me tightened. “She lives in peace.”

“That’s a rather . . . strange response.”

He didn’t reply as we crested the castle’s walls and pierced the outer ward. The ward’s magic prickled my skin before it released us, and then the sprawling capital lay all around. Wind whipped through my hair since the prince obviously hadn’t used his air affinity to suppress it.

Movement behind us caught my attention, and a smile spread across my face when I saw the prince’s four guards racing to catch up with us.

“Are your guards following us?” My grin grew, not because I was looking forward to seeing Nish, but I welcomed Haxil’s company, and since Sandus was to be my new guard, I figured I better get to know him.

“They are.”

“You need their protection while I’m—” I couldn’t bring myself to say creating orem.

“No, not for your training, but for the business I need to attend to. There’s unrest in Harrivee right now. I may need their assistance in Barvilum.”

It only took his guards moments to reach us, and then they were right beside us. Black wings flexed as they glided, and their wings brushed tips on occasion they flew so closely, but nobody seemed to mind. Instead, the four guards flanked the prince’s side as though they were the God Seemus’s warrior hounds guarding his back.

“Ilara Seary, daughter of Mervalee Territory.” Haxil dipped his head as his round cheeks lifted while his voice carried to me on the wind. “Nice to see you again.”

I returned his smile. “It’s lovely to see you too, Haxil Hubberline, guard to the crown prince and son of Isalee Territory.”

The guard’s smile turned wolfish, and a low growl rumbled in the prince’s chest. Nish gave me a side-eye, then a barely suppressed sneer, while Ryder and Sandus both nodded hello.

“And where are we off to today, Nori?” Sandus asked as his large wings flapped.

The prince pointed south. “Back to Barvilum in Harrivee Territory. The Lochen fae have stolen more goods from their wharf, and there’s a field I want Ilara to see.”

“Ah, another diplomatic mission.” Ryder’s braid trailed down his back. “Along with . . .” His words trailed off with a glance in my direction.

Exactly. Whatever I was to the prince. His protégé? His savior? I nearly snorted at that thought.

With each flap of their wings, we grew closer to the edge of the capital. Similar to when we’d entered Solisarium a month ago, the skies were busy and congested outside of the castle’s protective barrier, but none of the capital’s residents dared travel in the prince’s path. He once again flew in a straight line, everyone moving out of the way for him.

Eventually, the capital disappeared behind us until nothing but rolling hills of snow and small cities dotted the landscape.

Abruptly, the prince spiraled downward. I clung to him, the movement taking me by surprise.

His arms tightened, and then his lips met my ear. “I won’t let you fall.”

The vibration of his words and flutter of his lips against my skin made tingles race down my spine. I jerked away, my heart hammering in staccato beats as I cursed my body’s response.

Light puffs of snow drifted into the air when the prince’s feet touched the ground. He set me down, and his hand settled on my waist until my footing was secure. My heart pattered harder as I lurched from his grip.

Prince Norivun dropped his hand, his jaw working, as his four guards raised questioning eyebrows.

“Is there a reason we’ve landed, my prince?” Sandus asked as he smoothed his beard.

The prince eyed me again. “I’m going to mistphase with Ilara. Her magic has manifested. She should be able to now, and it’ll make traveling faster.”

My eyes bugged out. “You’re going to . . . what? Wait. I can’t. I mean, I’ve never—” I swallowed my sputtering because surely I hadn’t heard the prince correctly. I couldn’t mistphase. That required power I didn’t possess.

“You’re magical, Lara.” The prince’s irises sparkled like sapphire gemstones, and damn my traitorous body for noticing. “You can mistphase with me. I have enough power to cross both of us.”

“But what if I’m not magical?” I picked nervously at my fingernails. “What if you’re completely wrong about me? A fairy must have enough magic to cross with a mistphaser. If one doesn’t, it’s too dangerous.”

At least that was what I remembered from my primary days. It was why children typically didn’t mistphase with a magically-strong parent since a child’s magic and affinity didn’t appear until maturing age.

The prince’s lips kicked up. “Then it’s a good thing you have magic.” He sounded so confident, as though he was certain that my affinity had indeed been born.

My lips thinned. “I’ll die if you’re wrong.”

“I’m not wrong.”

“Ock, just get it done with already,” Nish grumbled.

The other three guards all watched us. Only Haxil looked concerned. Indeed, that male knew I could end up splat on the snow, like a gelatinous mush of flesh and blood, when I emerged from the crossing if the prince was mistaken.

Haxil’s frown deepened. “My prince, are you sure—”