Page 182 of A Lord of Snow and Greed

“What about Saga?”

Vale shook his head. “What about her?”

“Lord Riis and your mother . . . not to be insensitive, but . . .”

Vale let out a humorless laugh. “Lord Riis traveled for two turns and Saga was born right in the middle of his journey. Also, when her hair is not pink, Saga strongly favors Father. She has stronger, more varied, winter magic than Rhistel and me too. I dare say that she is the king’s only legitimate heir.”

Imagine that. A kingdom in which Saga ruled and Rhistel did not would be a wondrous place indeed.

“I’d always wondered where my dark eyes came from,” Vale said. “The Falks generally had light eyes. TheVagles too, save for Calpurnia, but she clearly favors her mother’s coloring.”

I refrained from commenting that I had no idea who Calpurnia’s mother was as he let out a long breath. “Rhistel and I have brown eyes too. Mother always said an uncle looked like us, but now it’s much clearer where the coloring comes from.”

“Your build as well,” I breathed. “Aside from one other male in the western lands, Lord Riis is the only faerie who I’ve seen who is larger than you. Though Luccan is close.”

“That too.” For the first time, he gave a small smile. “I suppose that is something to be grateful for. I am one of the Riis brothers now. Already brothers in my heart, now they are in blood too.”

“I’m assuming that since Lord Riis has kept this secret for so long, he is leaving you the choice to share the news. Have you told Luccan, Thantrel, or Arie?”

The brothers had been acting normally, but I had to be certain.

“Leyv is letting me tell who I wish—if I wish to do so. And no, the Riis brothers have no idea. Only you and Caelo.”

Silence stretched between us, so poignant my heartbeats thundered in my ears. “Why did you tell me all this, Vale? We haven’t really spoken in days, and before, I was cold with you. Cruel even.”

“I understand why now.” He reached out and took my hand. “And isn’t it obvious why I want to share? I want you, Neve. I want you to know all about me, even thatwhich I have not accepted yet. I want you to be my wife, in truth.”

My breath hitched.

“Not to mention, you shared a rather large secret as well.” Vale’s face loosened into familiar, happier lines. “You can’t be the only one with drama in our circle.”

I laughed. “I’d give it all to you if you want.”

“Oh, no. We’ll share.”

I lifted onto my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. Unlike our last kisses, this one was so very soft, hesitant in a way—as if we were getting to know one another.

The real Neve and Vale.

Or Isolde.

But no. I was not ready to bear that strange, regal name—wasn’t sure if I ever would be. Neve might have been the name given to me by slavers, but it was the only one I’d ever known. It would take time to think of myself in another way.

We broke apart, and I beamed up at him. “I wish to be with you Vale.”

He grinned, and like a faelight being ignited, all the sorrow he carried vanished.

My fingers slid into his, so comfortable against his skin. “I’m so glad you told me. You have no idea what was going through my head these last two days.”

His expression clouded. “I—had a lot to work through. Caelo helped, but I needed time alone.”

“And you’ve worked through it all?”

“No, but that might take quite a while. Perhaps I’ll never fully come to terms with it. But I still believe LordRiis and know that I want you,Neve Falk. Or whomever you wish to be, I want you, no matter what trouble that might cause.”

I swallowed down the emotion climbing up my throat. “Be sure that it will cause trouble.”

“Whatever happens, we’ll work through it. You and me—together,” he said and kissed me again.

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