Page 26 of The Winter Prince

Chapter 15

Enlo

Enlocurledhishandinto a fist, pulling himself back from the magic he’d used to watch Revi and Kienna. Logically, he knew he should be glad Revi seemed to have made some progress with Kienna on his own—if reminding her of what she’d left behind could truly be calledprogress—but he couldn’t pretend that the dark feeling curling through him was relief. It probably wouldn’t last. They’d come to some sort of temporary camaraderie tonight—but only because Kienna had chosen to drop the subject of prisoners.

But Revi had already pushed her away again by the end of the meal. She’d left crying. It changed nothing, and Enlo would still have to fix the mess himself. Which would be much easier if Kienna would come find him again during the day. He could only hope she would.

A sharp thump came at his door. Enlo froze before striding to open it. Revi didn’t wait for an invitation before pushing past Enlo into the room, his huge frostcat form filling the space.

Enlo resisted slamming the door behind him. The click of the latch was lost in Revi’s next words.

“I need your help,” he said without preamble.

Enlo’s brows climbed. “My help with...?” He let the question trail, even though he suspected he knew exactly what Revi wanted his help with.

“How do you...” Revi was pacing, his tail lashing, his manner overtaken by agitation, though he did not seem angry, precisely. “How do you make women happy?”

Enlo glided to his armchair near the empty fireplace. “It doesn’t take much, really. All I have to do is smile at them.”

A low growl rolled up Revi’s throat. “That’s not helpful, Enlo. I smile”—he paused to give an example, baring his fangs—“and people quake in fear. Not express joy.”

“It’s good to see you taking your endeavor a little more seriously. I assume that’s what this is about?”

Revi grunted. “Sure. What would you do to… win the heart of a lady?”

Enlo shrugged. “I would make her feel special, wanted, desired. I would lavish her with attention and gifts, make her feel as if I truly saw her. Remember small important details about her and use them to my advantage later. It’s like a hunt, but instead of chasing down the prey, I’m luring her in, drawing her willingly to me.” He smirked at Revi. “Of course, this is all made easier by the fact that I am irresistible.” He gestured a lazy hand toward himself. “I’m afraid I have no real advice for someone whose preferred meal is rare and bloody.”

Revi huffed. He rubbed his nose against one paw. “I only know one way of hunting, and that would definitively violate our bargain.”

Enlo leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I want to help you, cousin. Of course I do. But I am at as much of a loss as you are on how to be a charming beast. No one finds the monsters charming. Women may coo over cute animals, but that’s hardly helpful in your case.”

Revi’s tail stilled. “Maybe it could be,” he said slowly.

Enlo chuckled. “Have you ever seen a baby animal? You look nothing like one. No, I think your best chance is to just be patient and courteous. And take care not to scare the woman, and hope that with time she warms to you. Time is your friend here. You have months left. A lot can happen in that time.”

Revi gave Enlo a distracted frown. “I thought you were the one who said we were running out of time.”

“Then make the time we have count.” Enlo forced a smile. “Use it wisely.”

“Will even a year be long enough for someone to fall in love with a beast?” Revi said drily.

“We can only hope,” Enlo said. It would be more than enough time for someone to fall in love withhim. He just needed his cousin not to frighten her away in the meantime.

Chapter 16

Revi

BythetimeReviarrived at the dining room the next day, he could already hear the soft movements of Kienna within.

It had taken him far longer to move through the halls in this form, but he’d wanted to practice moving so he wouldn’t make a complete fool of himself. He could only hope his efforts would be worth the trouble.

The door creaked as he entered.

“Good evening…?” Kienna’s voice ended in a question, and her chair scraped back. It took all of Revi’s self-control not to flee from the room. He was no coward. If she laughed at him… Well, it would be more than he had managed to evoke from her thus far during the day.

He took a deep breath and kept moving. He avoided looking at himself in the dark window lining the wall. He was doing this for her, but if he saw his own reflection, inthisform, there was a good likelihood he wouldn’t keep moving.

Footsteps sounded. “Hello? Beast? Zoya?” Kienna neared and froze. Revi quashed down his prey instincts—a side effect of the form he hadn’t expected and wasnot at allfond of.

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