Page 4 of The Winter Prince

He swiveled on her. “Did you hear nothing I said? They’re deceivers, all of them.”

“You just said they can’t lie outright.”

He shook his head violently. “How do we know the elves are right and they can’t lie? And even if that’s true, how do they define protection? There isnoguarantee that any woman who goes to their Court will ever come out.”

Kienna shivered as the truth of that sank into her, but her resolve only settled tighter on her shoulders. “Perhaps. But maybe the elves speak true and the bargain is legitimate. Please, Papa. I’ve already lost Mama.”

“As have I.” He stepped in, brushing the tear streaking down her cheek away. “And you want me to risk losing you too?”

“That’s the thing, Papa. If I go, I might return. There’s a risk that I won’t, yes, but not a certainty. But if you go, you’ll—” Her voice broke. She had to gather herself before she could continue. “You going would be a certainty. And it’s a certainty I can’t live with. Let me do this.”

“I cannot ask that of you, Kienna. I would not.”

“You’re not asking,” she said softly. “I’m telling you: I will not let you waste your life foolishly.”

His eyes begged her, pulling at her heart in ways even his words could not. “I cannot send you alone into a beast’s den.”

“My mind is made up. I’m going.” She drew in a tremulous breath and set her jaw. “I am going,” she repeated, meeting his eyes and letting her determination shine through.

He searched her gaze and brushed rough, calloused thumbs along her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Kienna.”

“I was the one who asked for a stupid flower.” She tried but failed to manage a simple smile. “I will live with the consequences of my actions, and I will come back to you.”

His eyes slid shut again and he nodded, though it looked like it broke his heart to do so. “Then we leave at dawn if we are to return in time to meet the beast’s deadline.”

Chapter 3

Enlo

EnlofoundReviinthe library. Today, his cousin was a giant winter wolf, fur an ombre ripple of silver and white. He lay on the largest sofa, a wide book of the Court’s reports spread before him. No matter how Enlo was used to seeing Revi in beast form, there were some things he would never grow accustomed to—like seeing an animal reading a book with the sort of intensity and focus he attributed to Revi in years past.

The wolf didn’t look up at him as he used his nose to turn the page. Enlo sauntered across the room and settled into the arm chair nearest to Revi. His cousin read, and Enlo stared at him until Revi emitted a low rumble and fixed his gaze on Enlo.

“Did you have something to tell me, or did you just come to ogle?”

“You know,” Enlo said conversationally, leaning back and throwing one arm over the side of the chair, “I’m certain a talking, literate beast would make quite the spectacle in the human lands.”

Revi growled again. Enlo chuckled, but he quickly sobered, his mind too preoccupied to keep the levity going.

“I haven’t had a chance to look over those yet.” He gestured to the papers before Revi. “What news?”

Revi scanned the page. “The Master of the Hunt reports fewer prey in the northern forest.”

Enlo grimaced. “So soon?”

Revi grunted his affirmative.

“That’s…”

“Bad.”

“Yes.” Enlo tapped a finger on his knee. “What of the western slopes?”

Revi shook his head. “No better.”

Enlo swallowed. Despite the regular rain—for they still got a decent amount—the Winter Court was bleeding out. The animals could feel the land’s decay and were leaving on their own.

Enlo hesitated. After being cursed by the Summer Queen, Revi hated any mention of any of the other Courts, but… “Any luck changing the trade agreements with the other Courts? Have any of them agreed to send more food stores?”

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