Page 43 of The Winter Prince

“First you say my name, my true name,” he said instead, working to keep his voice neutral.

Her gaze flew up to his. “Your true name?”

“Every Elyri has a name they give most people, and a true name they never share—because it gives the speaker power over them.”

Her eyes widened. They were as deeply green as ever, with her golden hair like the sun around her face.

“My true name is…” He closed his eyes. “Reviam.”

“Reviam.” The name was almost reverent on her lips. It had never sounded sweeter.

He cleared his throat. “And then this phrase: ‘a pocheska suknish.”

“Reviam ‘a pocheska suknish.” She spoke the Elyri words gingerly, and a shudder went through him as his magic responded, reaching for her of its own accord.

She had complete power over him now, and she probably didn’t even realize it.

“Good,” he said. “Now, your father’s name, andvozidnytsa. Practice that before you add his name to it.”

She repeated the phrase until Revi was satisfied with her pronunciation and gave her a nod. “Now add his name and focus on him in your mind. Once you say it, it may take a few moments. Magic for me is instantaneous, but when you’re using it, there might be a delay.”

She hesitated. “Will it hurt?”

“It will be cold,” he said. “My magic is always cold, but it should not hurt you.”

She nodded, pressing her lips together and pushing her shoulders back. “I’m ready.”

“Go ahead,” he murmured, unable to look away from her. It was the last time he’d ever see her, and he wanted nothing more than to drink her in.

“Colm Boden vozidnytsa.” She blinked and looked around. “Did it...” She bit her lip. “Did it work?”

Revi could already feel the cold pull of his magic moving through him. Sluggish, slow, icy. Like it didn’t want to move by someone else’s will.

But it was moving. She’d be gone in moments.

“Yes,” he said quietly. “Goodbye, Kienna.”

“I’ll be back soon,” she promised. “In a few days. Just once I’ve made sure my father is well.”

He shook his head. The magic was moving faster now, pouring from him in great drafts. “You mustn’t use my magic to return. It could have devastating effects from such a distance.”

Kienna opened her mouth to protest, sharp concern filling her face, but he pushed his head towards her hand, desperate for her touch one last time. The movement cut her words off.

“I’ll remember you until the end. Every moment.” He couldn’t help a pained smile. “My favorite was the ice skating. Thank you for sharing that with me one last time.”

“Revi—” But her words were lost. With a gust of cold wind that swirled around him, ruffling his fur, she was gone.

Chapter 27

Kienna

Everythingwascold,icy,but as he had promised, it didn’t hurt her. A part of her felt like sheshouldbe hurting. She should be dead. It wassocold, like she stood in the middle of a blizzard with no protection, no shelter, no cloak, nothing, and yet somehow she was still alive.

It was over in moments. Mere moments and she went from the quiet bedroom with Revi to impossibly cold before it cleared and she was standing in the middle of a camp.

No, not a camp. An outpost. Cries rang around her as her vision tried to catch up, and then...

“Kienna?” Her father’s warm, deep tone.

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