Page 52 of The Winter Prince

He grinned and, made bolder by her words, pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her and pressing her against his chest. She squeaked at the sudden movement before nuzzling closer, burying her head and sliding her arms around his waist.

“I take it this means you want me to stay?” she asked, a note of hesitation still lingering in her voice.

“Not only do I want you to stay,” Revi said, “I want to redo those vows when I’m actually awake for them.”

“What if that upsets the magic somehow?”

“Your magic is sealed. All that is left is vowing my own life to you and sealing it with another kiss. I especially look forward to that part.” He used one hand to tilt her face up to look at his. “I love you. And yes, I want you to stay, to be my Winter Princess or my Winter Queen forever.”

Her eyes shone. “My heart is already yours, my Winter Prince.”

Chapter 34

Enlo

Enloslippeddownthehall, a bag of supplies slung over his shoulder and one of food pilfered from the kitchen in hand. He would have asked, if anyone had been theretoask. But between Kienna returning and healing Revi less than an hour ago and the ongoing snow that the Winter Elyri couldn’t help but bask in after so long without—well, no one was around to ask.

And no one to stop him.

He reached the entrance hall, slowing to listen for any sign of life. The eastern exit would have been ideal—he didn’t want to skirt the entire castle. But neither did he want to run into his cousin before he left. Revi would only try to talk him out of his plan. Main entrance it was.

The entryway stood empty, only faint voices floating down the hall from one of the side receiving rooms. Companions of Kienna, he guessed, by the cadence of their voices.

He crossed the hall and pulled open one of the great doors—only to come face-to-face with Kienna herself.

“Oh.” She jerked her hand back from where the handle had been, eyes narrowing as she realized whom she’d met. “What are you doing?”

Enlo glanced behind her—no Revi. “Shouldn’t you be with my cousin? Young love suffers from time apart.”

“His steward dragged him away. I wanted to check on my father.” She shifted, crossing her arms. Her attire was appropriately warm for the winter weather, but her cheeks and nose were still tinged pink from staying outside so long.

Enlo pulled the door open the rest of the way and stepped aside. “By all means. I heard their voices coming from the far-left hall.”

Kienna crossed the threshold but paused as she took in his bags. “Are you… leaving?”

He glanced once more toward the open doorway. If she held him up so long that Revi came looking for her…

But he had thought about speaking with her. There were things he should say. This was clearly a sign he was meant to say them.

He sighed. “Yes.”

Conflicting emotions flickered over her face—relief, suspicion, confusion. “Why?”

“I don’t deserve to be here.” He shifted. The words clawed up from him, unwilling to come. But if he told her, she’d tell Revi. He hadn’t had time to write a letter, but this would suffice for a goodbye. “My skewed beliefs led me to… almost make a huge mistake.” She scoffed quietly. He ignored it; this was difficult enough without addressing her discontent with his word choices. “Maybe if I find the king and queen, finish restoring the Court to entirely whole, I can redeem myself—I can help the Court in a true, meaningful way.”

Her eyes had softened slightly by the time he finished. “I see. Will you return, then, after that?”

He shrugged. It would be better if he didn’t, probably.

“I think…” She hesitated, picking through her words. “I think Revi would want you to.”

Her words stirred the hope he’d been crushing since he’d made his decision. Revi wanting him to did not mean heshould. He’d done enough damage.

“And you?” He tossed her a light smile to hide his turmoil. “Would you appreciate my return?”

Her gaze met his, reserved but lacking the hatred he’d expected. Instead, it was full of censure, reproof. “I want Revi surrounded by good men and women who will stay loyal to him.”

Enlo swallowed. “As do I.” He broke eye contact, looking out the open door. Snow drifted from the sky, melding with the white that already carpeted the ground. “I’m sorry for tricking you. For everything I did in the name of the Court.”

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