Page 29 of A Shard of Ice

“It just won’t do.” She shakes her head.

“It’ll have to do. There is no other way that doesn’t include wearing wet clothing. I’m not doing that.” I’m doing my best to keep my eyes on hers. I refuse to leer. To make her feel uncomfortable in any way.

I caught Kyrie staring earlier, so I didn’t think she would mind too much. She’s already seen me in far less.

Her expression relaxes. I can see that she agrees. Her gaze drops to my arms and what I am carrying. “What have you got there?”

I smile. “I found some fruit for us to eat.”

Her eyes light up. “My mouth is watering. What fruit? I can’t remember the last time I ate fruit. We had apple trees on the farm, but they no longer gave fruit after…after…” Her eyes turn hazy, and she bites her lip.

“After Snow took over the realm and poisoned the kingdoms,” I fill in for her.

She nods. “After the fae brought evil to all the lands.”

“It’s all because of her. I know it is. I think it might have something to do with these magic taxes.”

“How, Damon? How does one person make an entire realm do her bidding against their will?”

I would dwell on the fact that she finally used my name, my real name, but I don’t. Not right now. I do see it as a victory of sorts. “In the same way that she tainted all of the lands. How she banished the kings. I’m not sure how, only that it happened. Her reach is far. She’s immensely powerful, even though she shouldn’t be.”

Her eyes lift in thought. “I hadn’t thought of it like that. There is sense to what you are saying. Why shouldn’t she be powerful?” She narrows her eyes.

“Snow is a human. Humans shouldn’t be able to wield magic.”

“I always thought she was a fae.” Kyrie rubs her chin absently.

I shake my head. “No, she’s just as human as you are.”

“You sound so sure; like you met her yourself.” Kyrie laughs. “That would be absurd. I hear she’s taken the Ice Court and is using it as her own, but that doesn’t mean you’ve met her.” She laughs again, not sounding so sure this time.

I don’t say anything. Not only have I met Snow, but I used to know her, and very well. She was like a sister to me once. Then everything changed.

It feels like another lifetime.

“We should eat,” I tell Kyrie, wanting to change the subject. “I’m sure you’re hungry.”

“Do you really have fruit?”

I nod. “I have dates and figs. I saw coconuts on the other side of the oasis; I will fetch some to have with our dinner.”

“I’m so excited to eat fruit again.” Kyrie gives me a radiant smile that warms me all the way up. I smile back. I can’t help it. “We should check on Cyrano. He might be awake.” She fetches a waterskin as she talks.

I nod.

Then we walk to the grove of trees where we left the male earlier. He is propped up against a palm tree.

“You’re awake,” Kyrie says. “We brought food and water.”

He looks at me warily. Then he turns to Kyrie, his gaze heating as it tracks over her body. The shift isn’t clinging to her nearly as much, but it’s revealing enough to have the human take an interest.

I instantly bristle.

Kyrie must notice him looking because she hands Cyrano the skin. “You should keep hydrated,” she tells him, then she walks away. “I’ll be right back,” she yells over her shoulder.

He keeps his gaze on her the whole time; his mouth is hanging open. He’s practically drooling, which irritates me.

“Don’t look at her like that,” I growl.

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