Page 54 of From Frost to Flame

“You better.” He leaned down and kissed the top of Lex’s head.

“Sounds like you two are getting along,” Mora said, glancing at Lex. “Anything you want to tell us?”

“We already know you’re fucking, so don’t deny it,” Julian added. “The entire island heard you. Maybe your orgasms scared away all the regrets and memories.”

“Hilarious,” Lex spat. “If you must know, we’re dating again. We can discuss it more later.”

“Congratulations!” Castor said brightly, looking back at them. “That’s wonderful to hear.”

“Thanks,” Silas said, unable to help from smiling down at Lex. “It is rather wonderful.” Lex’s family offered quiet congratulations, but Silas could see he had work to do on their relationship.

“Whoa. Look at that,” Julian said, drawing their attention.

Coming through the fog was a stark divide. The bare white trees ended, like someone had drawn a line in the sand they couldn’t cross. On the other side of the invisible line were knobby black twisted trees. It was as if a wildfire had blown through and torched every trunk and branch. More jarring was the sky. Over the black trees was a heavy downpour of snow. It piled high on the bare branches and covered the ground in gentle slopes of undisturbed snow.

“How strange.” Lex walked ahead and stepped into the snow. “It’s a blizzard on this side somehow. No barrier at all, though. I’ve never seen magic like this.”

Silas knew The Ravenous One’s signature and refused to drop his guard. The black trees meant they were once again trespassing into a place laced with her essence. He pulled Lex out of the snow, back into the rain. “Let’s all prepare for the weather before we continue.”

“How would we bundle up more? I already have a cloak.” Lex went quiet as Silas untied his toga. His eyes ran down his bare chest to the top of pants. “Oh.”

“You’re adorable when you stare.” He loved the way Lex ogled him and hoped he would always look at him this way.

“Don’t tease me,” he said with a pout.

“Are they always this mushy?” Julian asked as Castor tossed him and Mora blankets to layer over their clothes. “We never saw them together before.”

“I guess it makes sense,” Mora said as she shook snow off the ends of her hair. “Lex does seem to like the over affectionate types.”

“You have no idea,” Castor replied with a laugh. “They’re even worse at the castle.”

“Enough,” Silas said, shaking his head as he looped the toga around Lex again so it didn’t drag on his shorter frame. The stronger winds came off the snowy banks and already sent Lex into shivers. “Can I please carry you now? The next soul shard is close, which means it’ll be dangerous.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

Silas froze in the middle of tying the toga and stared at him. All he wanted was to tackle him in the snow and ravish him. His grip on the toga tightened, and a growl simmered below the surface. The wound on his chest was no longer bleeding, but it burned as he scanned Lex’s body.

“You with me?” Lex asked with a giggle.

“Uh, yeah.” He blinked a few times. Lex’s sweet voice ripped him back from whatever lustful place he fell into. The burning faded into a dull tingle.

“He makes you so brainless.” Castor shook his head, amused. “The three of us are ready. Let’s head into the blizzard.”

Silas blushed as Lex climbed on his back.That was odd. Maybe it’s just having my mate again? No, this is different.“I don’t know why I reacted like that.”

“You said you wanted me to call you Daddy more often. I’ll save it for when we’re in private.” He nuzzled into Silas's neck and held on tight. “I didn’t realize how much you liked it.”

“Probably for the best.” Silas tried not to think about forcing Lex on his knees as he walked. “I know I’m a bit much today. After last night, I guess my instincts are heightened. I have an elevated need to be close to you.”

He didn’t typically vocalize these things, but Lex was so open with him he wanted to return the favor.

“You’re so cute,” Lex swooned. “It’s okay. I want to be near you, too.”

Warm lips pressed to his cheek. Silas couldn’t help but smile despite the dreary weather.Maybe expressing my feelings more is worth it.

“Hey, how are you not freezing with nothing on?” Lex asked after they’d been trudging through the deepening snow for hours. “Even Castor had to bundle up. Less than us, but still. I can’t even see your breath.”

Silas paused, thinking of how to answer. “I can’t get cold.”

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