Page 55 of How To Please A Princely Fae

His once warm gaze is iced over, cold enough to make me quail.

Maybe it’s me; maybe he’s realized, with all this talk of marriage and mates, that he doesn’t want me after all. Especiallywith all the other witches in this room, so much more powerful and exciting than I am.

“I’m hungry,” he says, smiling down at me. “It surprised me.”

I squint up at him, confused. The ice I thought I saw is gone—his smile real and just as thrilling as ever. His hand goes to the small of my back, and then he wraps his arms around me, leaning down.

“Even if you weren’t mine, even if you weren’t my mate—I could never let you go.”

His words thaw me the rest of the way and I return the hug, hungry for his touch. A quick glance around tells me everyone is still arguing about what to do, and I certainly don’t have anything to add to the current conversation.

“Come on,” I tell him, tugging him behind me through The Listening Page Bookstore. “Let’s go get some food and supplies before that winter storm that’s brewing hits.” I can’t quite bring myself to look back at him.

I’m not sure I can meet his eyes—I’m afraid of what I’ll see there. Regret. Disdain.

The ice that finally melted when he lost his memories.

Guilt gnaws at me, a hungry rat I can’t seem to cage. I shove it down, uneasy, and the bell above the door to The Listening Page tinkles as I push it open.

“Where are you two going?” Piper calls out.

“I need supplies.” The words come out sharp enough to cut, and I inhale through my nose, pausing in the doorway. Cold air rushes in, laced with the metallic scent of snow. “Storm is coming.”

I try to gentle my voice and turn over one shoulder, offering an apologetic look.

“You are a part of this coven,” Wren says, and Nerissa nods her agreement.

“You should have a say in our decisions.” Nerissa flicks her dark fall of hair over one shoulder.

Wind whips through the open door, and the fire gutters in the hearth.

“This isn’t a decision that can be made by a group of people, coven or not, magical or not.” I nod, then exhale, my eyes fluttering shut. “I don’t know of any magic that could be helpful at all—and if the two of you wish to wed them, then that’s not something I’m willing to change anyone’s minds on. If you have a plan that requires plant magic to thwart them, then let me know. Otherwise, I need things in town before this storm hits.”

Hurt and shock marks the faces of my friends, and I turn around quickly so I don’t have to see it.

It’s not independence or any sort of moral high ground that has me nearly running through the door.

No, it’s sheer cowardice, because if I have to spend another hour in their company while they debate what to do and Kieran might be remembering why he despises me… I think I might just fall apart.

Chapter 17

WILLOW

“Thank the goddess this is a small town,” I murmur, walking as quickly as I dare on the already slick cobblestones. Sleet began falling as soon as we left Ruby’s bookstore, and it didn’t take long for the fits and starts and icy drizzle to give way to frigid rain in earnest.

“I could walk you home and shop for you if you make me a list, my love,” Kieran says, managing to keep me upright as I lose my footing on an especially icy patch.

His wings vibrate dully, shedding a fresh layer of ice.

Despite the temperature drop, his words warm me from the inside out.

His love.

“Do you mean that?” I ask, pausing under the awning at my favorite green grocer’s stand.

“Of course, I would be happy to take care of you in every way.” He lifts one eyebrow, a slow smirk raising the corners of his mouth.

I laugh in spite of myself and all my misgivings at his blatant innuendo, but it quickly dies on my lips.

---