Thorns of Frost (Fae of Snow & Ice, #2)(48)

The prince took another deep breath and raked a hand through his hair again. “How do you know?” he finally growled. “How do you know it was her and not that prick, Lord Waterline?”

“I . . . I don’t have proof,” I stammered, “but it’s not the first time she’s tried to make everything harder for me. Please trust me. It’s her.”

I had never told anyone about the balance beam incident, and I wasn’t going to. Lady Endalaver played dirty, but I wasn’t going to run to anybody for help. I’d figure out a way to deal with her on my own. I wasn’t weak anymore, and I refused to become another bully’s victim.

“And you’re certain that Lord Waterline wasn’t acting upon his own mind on the balcony?”

I thought of that strange gleam coating his eyes, as though he’d been influenced, then gave a curt nod. “I’m certain. She manipulated him.”

Prince Norivun took another deep breath, the ardor in his eyes finally cooling. “In that case, Lady Endalaver is about to realize what happens when someone messes with my—” He cut himself off and raked a hand through his hair again.

I frowned. “Your what?”

His lips sealed, and he shook his head. “Nothing, but if she thought she was getting a private date with me tonight, she’s wrong.”





The prince stayed true to his word. Despite Lady Endalaver trying to persuade the prince to leave on a private date, Prince Norivun refused, repeatedly telling her that this was all he planned for the evening, and that was that.

And each time she tried to manipulate him or pouted prettily, he brushed her off and reminded her that this date was still within the rules of the Trial.

I kept my distance from both of them, still in disbelief at how quickly things had heated between the prince and me on the balcony, but it didn’t stop my satisfaction every time the prince refused her.

Once again, the prince’s protectiveness and possessiveness stirred my thoughts. Never mind the way we reacted to each other physically.

All this time, I’d thought his protectiveness was because he saw me as an asset, someone he must keep safe at all costs because of what I could do with the orem. He needed to keep me protected so I could save the continent, but that hardly explained his fierce desire. Each time he’d kissed me, he’d nearly look possessed. As though a succubus had ensnared him and demanded that he claim me.

I nearly snorted at that thought as the music continued around me while those remaining in the dining hall danced or chatted. Such a thought was ridiculous. The only time something that extreme happened was when . . .

My eyes turned to saucers as my heart jolted.

A fae male had found his mate.

My lips parted, and my breath stopped.

It felt as though the realm tilted off its axis.

I reached a steadying hand for the wall and gripped my wineglass tightly. The only time a fae male naturally acted with such extreme behavior was if he’d found his mate.

My heart pounded more as blood thundered through my veins.

Near the wine table, Prince Norivun spoke with several males beside him while Georgyanna pouted in the corner.

My heart beat even harder.

No, surely, no. That couldn’t be the reason.

But . . .

Wide-eyed, I stared at the crown prince. My mind exploded as the epiphany I just had smashed all of my thoughts. Could that be the reason for the prince’s behavior? To find one’s mate, the perfect half to one’s soul, would elicit such a reaction in any male fairy. Males were known for feeling the bond sooner than females. Often times, the females wouldn’t feel the full effects of the mate bond until . . .

My throat bobbed in a swallow. Until the bond was sealed during the first bedding.

Oh Blessed Mother.

My heart pattered wildly as I thought back to all of my reactions to him. It wasn’t unheard of for females to catch glimpses of the bond. Longing. Fierce attraction. Desire. Being soothed in his presence. Coveting his company.

And I’d felt all of those things. A mate bond would explain why I was able to feel that for the murderer of my family.

My gaze shot to Norivun again, but his attention stayed on the male he was speaking to.

Mother Below, it made sense, perfect sense. Because another reason the crown prince would refuse to truly court Georgyanna, despite her repulsive personality, was a mate bond. Males were fiercely devoted to their females once the mate bond reared.

I swirled away from the remaining fae in the dining hall and rushed toward the outdoor balcony. I needed air, fresh air to clear my head.

Outside, I gasped in the night wind, but it didn’t stop memories from swirling through my mind. All of the things the prince had said, things alluding to how he felt before he cut his sentences short . . . How many times had he done that?

He’d done it just tonight when he’d spoken of Lady Endalaver. “In that case, Lady Endalaver is about to realize what happens when someone messes with my—”

The word he’d been about to say was mate, but he’d stopped himself, because he knew I’d still been ignorant of the bond, and he was waiting for me to feel it.

Or the time when he’d been in the healing infirmary. “When the time comes that you know, your question will be answered.” He’d been speaking of the mate bond then too—the bond that I’d been still ignorant of.