Page 122 of Ulune's Daughter

I close my hand and tilt the ring to the light so iridescence dances through the stones’ facets. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“There’s another ring I want to give you?—”

I lift my hand and smooth the tip of my finger over his lips. “Too soon.”

“I know it is. That’s why that ring is still in the safe and my grandfather’s ring is on your finger. But some day that ring will be on your finger, Kellan. Never doubt it.”

In this moment, I don’t.

“Two days.” I stroke his jaw, hard and lightly stubbled. “Try to stay out of trouble while I’m gone.”

“No,” he says with a smile, turning his head to press a kiss into my palm. “That is a promise I will never make. But I promise to be here waiting for you. And to come for you if you don’t return on time, or the very moment you call me. And I promise to love you no matter the outcome of your dirty weekend with your side piece?—”

He grins when I draw my nail, hard enough to scratch, down his throat.

“Stop calling him my side piece,” I warn, but it’s playful.

“Have fun in the snow.” He shivers. “Don’t ever expect me to join you in that past-time. Snow is horrible. It balls into little bits of ice between my toes and burns my tongue when I lick it out.”

“I’ll bring you back a snow cone. You’ll like that much better. Cherry? Blueberry?”

“The only flavor I crave is Kellan.” He dips in for a kiss, sucking on my lower lip until I get a hint of copper. “Come back to my room. I’m sure you have a wardrobe at home, but my mother’s handmaiden has packed for you.”

He leads me back to his suite, to his closet where a rolling case stands in the open door. “I’d like to think of the things I’ve provided keeping you warm. Unfortunately, the only underwear she was able to find was what she calls ‘period panties’—”

I shake my head at him. “You’re terrible.”

“Petty and vindictive, just like my perfect mate.” He kisses my forehead. “If you needanything, call me. That’s not a request.”

“I need you,” I tell him. “I’m not naïve. I know everything’s going to be waiting for me when I get back. This is a nice getaway—and I need it—but when I get back, I’m going to have to face everything I ran from.” I curl my hand around his neck. “I need you.”

“I will be here. Ready to stand beside you. Your teeth and claws against your fears.” He kisses me hard, tongue licking in until my head spins. “Your haven.”

I’m not a clingy person, but I cling to him and he lets me, until I get worried about the time and disentangle myself. He lets me go with a last kiss and picks up a coat off the edge of a donut-bed. It’s a ski-parka, padded and warm, in black, midnight blue, and a bold crimson edging the hood and cuffs.

I fold it over my arm and snag the handle of the rolling bag. I’m barefoot, but I don’t mind going back to my place for shoes. I could probably tear open a door into the Fae Ways from Lawson’s room, but it seems impolite. So I follow Lawson when he holds out his hand and leads me out into the hallway and toward a set of double doors.

Before we reach them, a high voice calls my name. Pattering feet catch up to us and Aine throws her arms around me.

“You’re going without saying goodbye?” she asks, lower lip quivering, lashes wet.

“Only for two days—” I cry, hugging her back hard. Then I see Lawson fold his arms over his chest, shaking his head at me. She’s faking? His expression says she got me with the kid-sister crocodile tears. “Dang, you’re good.”

Aine grins, a grin that’s a mirror of her brother’s. “I need a souvenir from the slopes.”

I look to Lawson. “There’s no privacy in this place, is there?”

He shakes his head. “None. Aine, don’t you have homework to do?”

“Law, don’t you have—” She breaks off awkwardly, flushing. “Mirk to catch?”

Her brother lifts his eyebrows at her. “Pest.”

“BroNode.”

It’s my turn to lift my eyebrows. “BroNode?”

Lawson rolls his eyes upward, probably seeking divine patience from the Mother. “Her bizarre names for family members are a mystery to us all. Aine, let Kellan go. She has somewhere to be. And you need to dress. Formal dinner tonight.”

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