Thorns of Frost (Fae of Snow & Ice, #2)(67)

My breath sucked in at the wildness in his tone. “Did you feel that way about me before the bond clicked into place for you?”

His nose trailed up my neck, sparking a ripple of desire in me. “I did. I abhor violence against females, so when I saw those bruises on your neck back in your field barn, it took immense self-control not to rip Vorl to pieces right then and there.”

I gripped his shoulders more tightly. “Do you hate violence against females because of your mother and the abuse she’s suffered?”

A pained look entered his eyes when he lifted his head. He nodded. “While females can be much stronger than males magically, if that magic is stripped from them, physically they are at a disadvantage. My father has no qualms about using his superior strength and size against my mother. Any male despicable enough to submit to such weak depravations against a female—” His jaw tightened, the muscle pulsing. “There are times I relish being Death Master of the continent. So much so that you may change your mind about me not being a monster.”

My jaw slackened. “Those actions are to protect fae who cannot protect themselves, and you still think I would view you differently? Never.”

Some of the darkness around him lightened. “And that, Ilara darling, is why you’re perfect for me.”

This time, I couldn’t stop my laugh. I swatted him playfully when the aura around him grew, and I pulled away before he could sway me to join him in bed again. “You’re insatiable. I need to go, get dressed, and meet with Sandus for training before you whisk me away to another field.”

I picked up a shirt on the floor, one belonging to the prince. Even though it was much too big for me, I would rather wear it than mistphase back to my chambers with my bare breasts on display. I slipped it on, and it settled to the tops of my knees.

“You know, as you saw last night, I’m getting quite good at mistphasing. Matron Olsander said I have a natural aptitude for it. Maybe I should start transporting myself to the fields each day. It would be one less task for you to do.”

I waited for the prince to answer, but his attention was fixated on my breasts.

“Norivun?”

“Hmm?” He finally lifted his head.

“Did you hear anything I just said?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “You in my shirt is rather distracting.”

I bit my lip to hold back a laugh. “I was talking about mistphasing. If I mistphased myself, you wouldn’t need to take me to the fields each day.”

“True.” He curved an arm around my waist before I could stop him, then nuzzled my neck. “But then I wouldn’t have an excuse to see you every morning.”

“Do you need an excuse now that I know you’re my mate?” I asked breathlessly. Blessed Mother, when he ran his tongue along me like that . . .

He lifted his head, smiling devilishly. “Perhaps not, as long as you don’t plan to avoid me again?”

“I won’t. I have no reason to anymore.”

“Very well, but I’ll need to see that your mistphasing is reliable enough to transport you exactly where you need to be.”

“Didn’t I prove that last night when I mistphased us here?”

“Humor me.”

“Are you doubting me?”

“No, but I wouldn’t feel as restless if I was able to trust that it’ll work every time.”

“So what do you want? A demonstration?”

“Perhaps.”

“Later this morning then? After my training with Sandus?”

He kissed me softly. “I may be a fool to admit this, but it’s near impossible for me to deny you anything, so yes, later this morning is fine.”

A tingle raced up my spine. “Good, then in that case, I’ll see you soon, my prince.”





I mistphased back to my chambers, and the second I appeared, my sister spun toward me.

Her hair was in disarray, her eyes bloodshot. “Blessed Mother, where were you? I’ve been worried sick all night.”

Her frantic expression made guilt bite me hard. “I’m sorry. I should have sent someone to tell you I was fine.”

“But where were you?” She gripped my hands, her wings flexing.

Sighing, I cast a silencing Shield around us, then nodded toward the sofa. “Come. I’ll tell you, but it’s imperative that you don’t breathe a word of this to anyone.”

She cocked her head but followed, and once I was certain Cailis understood the gravity of the situation, I told her. Everything. About the way I’d been feeling toward the prince all this time, his secret oasis hidden within the Cliffs of Sarum, our family’s faked deaths and that they were actually still alive and living on the tip of Isalee, the acknowledgment of the mate bond I shared with the prince, and the magical night I’d spent by his side.

When I finally finished, it was well past sunrise, and I knew Sandus would be growing impatient at my late start.

“They’re alive?” she finally breathed as tears poured down her cheeks. “Mother? Father? Tormesh? They’re all alive?”

I nodded, emotions bubbling up in me as we hugged and clung to one another. “Alive and well. And they’re happy, Cailis. Well, as happy as they can be given the circumstances.”

“Can I see them?” she asked. “Can I visit them on the Cliffs?”