Page 25 of Midwinter Night's Prince

Blair gulped, feeling as foolish as she was terrified.

Foolish because she’d put herself in this situation. She’d gone to Mount Olympus. Mount Olympus! And despite Seth’s warning, she’d remained there. She could blame the man for everything else that had happened to her in the last few months, but this predicament? That was her own doing.

And terrified, because as beautiful as the goddess was, she also was something else. Something that could destroy her with a wave of her hand.

She helped her to her feet—blessing her with the touch of her soft, golden hand. The moment their palms touched, she felt her entire life pass before her eyes, and expected death to claim her. But once she stood up, the goddess let go, and smiled at her. Blair’s heart stopped. The goddess had two sets of fangs instead of canines, sharper than any vampire she’d ever seen. They only added to her addling beauty.

“Fear not, child. I’m not against you."

Blair was only partially reassured. She’d dealt with enough sups to read between the lines. The goddess wasn’t saying she was on her side either.

“I was forced here. What happened?”

“You were called to my stepmother’s domain. I’ve little power here. You exist at her sufferance. And suffer, you shall.”

“That doesn’t answer any of my questions,” she replied before thinking better of it.

Blair’s throat was too dry for her to swallow much saliva. She hadn’t been courteous. If the goddess took offense…

But the creature seemed pleased; she laughed. “Perhaps you’re not asking the right questions. I’m giving the answers you should seek.”

Blair wet her dry lips. “Who’s your stepmother? What does she want with me?”

The goddess chuckled another time, but humorlessly. “With you? Nothing. The companion following you here, however…”

Seth.

Her stepmother was after Seth.

“He’s coming after me?” Blair whispered. She couldn’t quite believe it. She would never have thought that Seth would leap into dangers such as these to get her. She certainly wouldn’t have, in his shoes.

Then it came to her. He was after his soul, not her.

Except he’d told her that if she died, his soul would die with her. He hadn’t seemed to care either way.

And yet, according to the goddess, he was here.

“How can I get back to Earth?” Blair asked, forcing herself to focus on the situation she found herself in. Seth or no Seth, she needed a way home. “Is there another portal?”

“Several. The boy can activate one, no doubt. You will not be able to.”

Great. Just great.

“Where’s Seth, then?”

The goddess tilted her chin toward the tree line. Blair turned to look in that direction.

“He’s trapped inside the enchanted woods. It is a labyrinth one cannot escape unless they’re willing to leave their strength behind. My stepmother will have him broken and on his knees, begging for death before the sun rises.”

“Your stepmother doesn’t know Seth very well.”

Again, Blair regretted the impulse. Again, the goddess seemed to enjoy it.

“I hope as much. It wouldn’t be interesting to watch, otherwise.” The goddess offered a palm.

Blair wasn’t sure she wanted to touch it again. Part of her craved the contact, the other feared it. There was no doubt in her mind that the goddess could have drained her of all life with nothing more than a touch. But if she’d wished to kill her, she could have already done so in a thousand different ways.

She took the extended hand. Instead of seeing her life pass, this time Blair felt coldness slither along her skin, like water. The goddess was working a spell.

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