Page 54 of The Winter Prince

“I would love to join you in Makaria,” Revi added quickly. Best to get his intentions fully out into the open before Boden exploded from this latest revelation. He looked at his father-in-law again, doing his best to appear open and nonthreatening. “I would also like you to contact your queen. I think it’s high time the Winter Court renewed relations with their human neighbors.”

Boden’s mouth dropped open even as Kienna grinned. His gaze didn’t seem to know where to land. They flicked from Kienna, to Revi, to the small distance between them that his paling skin said he understood in a new light now.

“He really means it.” He finally managed to find words. “All of this. It’s all true.”

“Yes,” Revi said, even as Kienna rolled her eyes. “I am perfectly serious.”

“That means… my son-in-law is a fae.”

“It does mean that, doesn’t it?” Kienna agreed brightly. “Holidays will be so exciting from now on.”

Boden was too busy staring at Revi, taking him in with new comprehension, to respond to that tease.

“How old are you?” he finally spluttered.

Revi blinked. Of all the things the man could focus on, he chose that. What did Revi’s age matter?

“A hundred and seven,” he said, eliciting bulging eyes from Boden and a startled, breathy laugh from Kienna. He frowned. “I’m still quite young for an Elyri. I only reached my majority several years ago.”

Boden’s skin had taken on a sickly pallor.

Kienna stood. “I think we should prepare to leave. It’s late, but if we make preparations tonight, we can set out first thing in the morning.”

Revi rose, a small part of him enjoying the height that came with being a man instead of a beast.

“I’ve already told my steward to prepare rooms for you and your men,” he said to Boden. “And my chefs should have supper ready by now. If there is anything you’re in want of, you have only to ask. My home is your own. Now and always.”

Kienna moved to her father’s side and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Good night, Papa. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He nodded faintly and left the room in a half daze. Revi watched him go.

“I don’t think we’ve heard the end of his protests,” he observed.

Kienna’s smile curved up in a way that made Revi want to thoroughly kiss her as she watched the door her father had just left through.

“Most likely not, but he’ll accept it eventually. When he realizes that I truly do love you and that you aren’t as beastly as he thought.”

“Most of the time,” Revi corrected.

Kienna laughed. “Most of the time.” She turned bright eyes toward Revi. “Do you really want to treat with Queen Riona?”

“I do,” he said. “I’ve married a human woman. Why stop there? Perhaps if I hadn’t been so tied up in my own pride regarding humans, I wouldn’t have left my Court in such a sorry state for so long.”

“Perhaps.” She curled her fingers through his. “Personally, I’m glad it all worked out the way it did.”

“As am I.”

“And I’m glad,” she added with a teasing smile and a glint in her eyes, “that you’re open to further relations with humans.”

Something about the way she said it sparked over Revi’s skin. He cleared his throat. “I am.”

Her smile widened, sparkling brighter than midday snow.

Oh, how he wanted to kiss her. But it all felt too fresh, too new. Too uncertain. He didn’t want to take liberties and push her in ways she wouldn’t be comfortable with.

At the same time, he wanted her toknow, for there to be no room for doubt of his interest, of his devotion. He stepped closer, not quite touching her. “I am,” he repeated, his eyes burning into hers. He could hear her heartbeat spike. “I amveryinterested.”

Kienna bit her lip, nearly undoing his resolve to give her space and time.

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