Court of Winter (Fae of Snow & Ice, #1)(82)

“See, brother. We’ve found her, and she’s just fine,” Nuwin said, clapping the crown prince on the back.

But the prince’s gaze landed on where Michas stood, and a savage expression rippled across his features. “Step away from her. Now.”

The Osaravee lord’s lips peeled back. “I’ve done nothing wrong, my prince. She’s here of her own choosing.”

“I said, Step away from her.”

Michas muttered a sound of irritation, then dipped his head toward me. “Good night to you, Lady Seary. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” With that, he stalked past the prince and Nuwin and returned to the throne room.

Nuwin made to follow him, but Prince Norivun extended a wing, stopping him. “I’m not through with you, brother.”

Nuwin gave a lopsided smile. “I’m sure you’re not.”

“Did you think it was a game? You dare to take her from my side on tonight of all nights?”

The younger prince’s expression turned sheepish. “She needed a break from you, brother. I simply provided her an escape. I was trying to be a gentlefae.”

Norivun lowered his wing and closed the space between them until they stood toe to toe. “You know what she is to me, yet you still play your games?” he said it so quietly that I almost didn’t hear him.

What I was to him? I cocked my head, wondering what he meant by that comment.

Nuwin gave his brother an appeasing smile and patted his shoulder. “It was just some harmless fun, Nori. All’s well. And look, Michas even kept her warm.” Nuwin gestured to the jacket I wore.

The prince cursed as the aura around him strengthened. Bowing, Nuwin gave me a wink before leaving the balcony and closing the door behind him.

Alone on the balcony with the crown prince, I stiffened as he prowled closer to me. The air seemed to thin with each step that he took until it felt as though I couldn’t catch my breath. All the while, I kept thinking about what Michas had claimed—that Norivun had mistphased back to the castle repeatedly during his time away to murder more fae.

Vivid blue irises swirled with power as the prince’s nostrils flared. “Did Michas hurt you?”

“No, not at all.” I pulled the noble’s jacket tighter around me. “We talked and danced, and he said he wanted to get to know me more. That’s all.”

“But he was nearly . . . touching you.”

“So?”

The crown prince’s eyes narrowed further. “Why are you wearing his jacket?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I was cold, and he offered it.”

His frown deepened, and then in a swift move, Michas’s jacket was off my shoulders and fluttering to the ground. Cold air assaulted me, but before I could gasp, the prince unbuttoned his own jacket and slid it around my shoulders. Warmth as hot as a roaring fire settled over my skin, and the prince’s tantalizing scent of snow and cedar came next.

My heart pounded as his top settled around me. “What did you do that for?”

“I don’t like seeing his clothes on you.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Because why?”

“Does it matter?”

I straightened and knew if I didn’t ask now, I would always wonder. “Can I ask you something, and do you promise to be honest?”

His expression turned guarded. “What do you want to ask me?”

“Did you mistphase repeatedly back to the castle during the month I was locked within the Exorbiant Chamber to handle commoners who’d come to the castle with their concerns of the dying crops?”

His lips parted as genuine confusion swam across his features. “No, of course not.”

“Not once?”

“Not once.”

“Then why did Michas accuse you of such?”

A low growl rumbled in his chest. “Because Michas Crimsonale is a conniving bastard who would sooner see me gutted than be heir to the throne.”

My eyes widened.

The prince shook his head. “Michas and I have a bit of a history. He cuts down my integrity every chance he gets.”

“So, you’re not lying? You never came back to the castle, not even once, in the month you were gone?”

His eyes softened. “No, Ilara. I’m not lying to you. I never returned in that time.”

Some of the swirling worry in my gut subsided. But Blessed Mother, Prince Norivun seemed honest too. Either that or my gut instincts were completely off. Rubbing my temples, I shook my head. I didn’t know what to believe or who was lying, but perhaps it truly was as the prince claimed—that Michas worked to undermine the crown prince every chance he got. I supposed it was fitting and went hand in hand with what I’d experienced tonight.

Crossing my arms, I changed the subject. “You know, it was quite offensive how you and the king spoke of me.”

“You’re angry with me.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I thought you were, and I know I spoke aloofly and how it must have seemed to you, but . . .” He tore a hand through his hair again. “Please believe me when I say that things are not as they seem.”

“If they’re not as they seem, then how are they?”

Warring emotions played across his features. “It’s important that my father doesn’t know what you are to me. It’s important that I act a certain way around you when he’s near.”