Page 54 of The Midnight Blizzard

“Noelle, now that relationships between people like us have been legalized, I want to be very clear about my intentions,” Jack told me the moment the door was closed. “I have feelings for you, and I want to pursue a future with you, if you feel simil?—”

“Yes, I do.”

Joy lit up Jack’s face, and he took my hands into his. “If I was named a prince or later became king, that would affect you as well. I didn’t want to make this big of a decision without your input.”

“I’ll support you no matter what. You know that.”

“Now you know why I was so confident you can get a license and secure funding for your school. Would you want to live here?”

I thought about it. Wasn’t this every girl’s dream—tomarry a prince, become queen, and live happily ever after? I would want for nothing, and yet…that prospect held no joy for me. Being royalty came with constant scrutiny and advisors and chamberlains who controlled every moment of their schedule. I was happiest when I was teaching or ice skating, but I also knew that I didn’t want to give up a future with Jack. “That isn’t a decision for just me to make. I want you to do what makes you happy. Would you be happy being a prince?”

Jack slowly shook his head. “I don’t think so, but I don’t want to deprive you of a royal life if you want it.”

I laughed out loud. “Idon’twant that, Jack. I want the freedom to go ice skating whenever we want. I want to teach and go on sled rides with you, and I wouldn’t have that as a princess.”

A light breeze of snow whirled up around the room as Jack’s face split into the widest smile I’d ever seen. “That’s what I want, too.”

When the rest of his family re-entered, Jack took a deep breath. “I’m honored by your offer, but I’d much rather stay as I am.”

His mother’s face crumpled. “You don’t want people to know you’re our son? Think of what you could do, showing everyone that a mage is a prince.”

“I don’t have anything to prove. Our family knows, and now Noelle knows. That is enough for me. I’d much rather remain as I am, help Noelle with her school, and continue to be an advisor.” He shot a mischievous look at Stephen. “Besides, I don’t want to perform the same boring duties that Stephen has to deal with. I think I can do much more good talking to people without the clout of a royal name attached.”

“You’ll never reveal your surname?” Stephen asked.

“He can share mine,” I said, glowing with happiness. “Jack Frost has a good ring to it.”

King Wenceslas smiled at his son. “If that is what you want, you know we will gladly honor your wishes, and if you ever change your mind, we will support that, too. I just wish we could claim you.”

“I’m already claimed,” Jack said with a smile, squeezing my fingers.

Epilogue

“Imade you a new pair of ice slippers,” Jack told me, handing them over. “They’re enchanted to always stay warm.”

“Worried about her gettingcold feeton your wedding day, are you?” Beryl sniggered as I put them on. Peggy giggled as well, holding fast to Kodiak’s leash and clutching the small pillow with my and Jack’s golden wedding rings. We had lost five of the practice rings during rehearsal before we had decided to stitch them to the pillow.

Jack rolled his eyes at Beryl. “You’ve been dying to make that joke, haven’t you?”

“Ever since that ball almost a year ago. This seemed like the perfect moment. And I think they’re ready for you.”

Jack straightened his suit jacket and left, leaving me with Beryl, Kodiak, and Peggy. I drew in a long, shuddering breath of excitement and listened to the rumble of the crowd behind the doors. As the first official wedding between a mage and non-mage, our ceremony had become a point of interest for the entire kingdom.

“You look beautiful,” Peggy told me, staring in awe atmy flowing dress. Jack had made his own additions to this gown as well, weaving tiny threads of his magical ice throughout so that I always felt warm even though the day was freezing cold.

“Thank you. Are you ready to help Kodiak do his job?”

“Yes!” Peggy swelled with pride at having such an important role.

Trumpets blasted, and my chest nearly exploded with joy. It was time.

Guards opened the doors and I slowly walked down the aisle while eleven pipers played a melodious tune that danced around the great hall. My toes wriggled inside the shoes, reveling in the constant heat. Up ahead, Jack’s smile stretched across his face as he watched me get closer.

King Wenceslas and Queen Isolde sat on the front row, beaming at me as well. Almost all of the ten lords were present, but Valencia, who had been instated as the final lord, was the only exception. Even though she had petitioned to attend, saying that if it hadn’t been for her, Jack and I never would have met, I denied her request to come to the wedding, as well as Vanessa’s. Vallia, however, was in attendance, sitting next to Stephen and holding his hand. They had yet to announce an engagement, but Jack and I had predicted that it was only a matter of time. Ever a friend, Trista and her now-husband Cal sat close to Stephen and Vallia, and Trista held their sleeping newborn in her arms, rocking him gently from side to side.

The actual ceremony flashed by. Jack and I couldn’t stop smiling at each other so by the time the priest had finished speaking, my cheeks hurt.

“You have the rings?” he asked Jack.

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