Page 67 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
My nostrils flare as I say, in my most dignified voice, “I am Prince Kalle Hammarskjöld of the Northwest Forest, and I am here with my companions seeking passage to the Fae Realm through the portal inside your border.”
The closest guard scoffs. “You’ll have to get permission from Prince Felix for that.”
“Then take me to him.”
Justice mutters, “Can we afford to delay our search for Princess Eleanor?”
“I’m not sure we have a choice,” I whisper back.
“You don’t,” the guard says at full volume. I sigh.
We are marched through the snowy woods, on a path lined with blazing torches, up to the Ice Palace.
Justice whistles under his breath. Even at night, the Ice Palace is impressive. It is bright aqua blue like the underside of an iceberg, made of azure stone and snow, with glints of sparkling silver. Once we get past the main entrance, it’s not as cold as one would expect, likely because thick walls block the howling wind.
“It’s bigger than Huckleberry Castle,” I note with some annoyance. I tilt my head. “Though our territory is bigger.”
“Some things are always a measuring game?” Justice asks with a wink, leaning down to stroke Hazel’s head as we reach a great hallway with many staircases.
I nod. Even when things are rough, Justice keeps his sense of humor. I like that about him. The closest guard glares at us, but I do my best to ignore her.
“Why is everyone so hostile?” Justice asks.
“It’s the way it’s been for ages now. None of the realms trust the others. There have been too many land grabs.”
“Have you ever met the ice prince before?” Justice whispers.
“Prince Felix? Yes, a few times. He was at the wedding. Be careful around him. I don’t know what to expect.”
Off to one side are double doors. Two tall, uniformed pages open them simultaneously, and we enter a throne room.
Courtiers surround us—a surprising number for it being late at night. They are all very beautiful, most wearing glittering robes or gowns of silver, pale blue, sage green, or other light colors.
I know I look grubby in my worn boots, sodden cloak, and moleskin pants. I also feel naked without my sword, though it would be a diplomatic disaster for Icedonia if anything were to happen to me here. Then my parents would have a hell of a three-way fight with both the Fire Realm and Icedonia.
“I think the ice realm is where the pretty people go to play,” Justice says. “They all look majestic. Ethereal. Badass. Hot as fuck.”
I’d chuckle at his reaction if I weren’t so worried. What the hell is Felix going to do with us? The Icedonians aren’t known for being tricksters like the fae or aggressive like the Fire Realm. But they have their own powers—first and foremost, seduction.
Maybe I should have been more worried about bringing Justice with me to Icedonia—I don’t want him falling prey to the charms of the ice people. I hadn’t planned on coming to the palace. I’d figured we could just go to the portal, since it’s close to the border, and be on our way.
Why does it matter to me if Justice is seduced? He can’t ever be mine, after all.
I suck in a breath. I should’ve warned him, at least. Oh well. Too late now.
The crowd parts, and Hazel and Martin accompany Justice and me as we walk up to the throne, where Prince Felix is lounging like he owns the place, one booted foot up on the seat, the other across the arm. Of course, in a way, he does own the place.
Prince Felix wears all white—white pants, white jacket and shirt, white boots—and has an otherworldly, androgynous beauty about him—so beautiful he’s hard to look at. Freckles that sparkle like diamonds are strewn across his nose.
“I like his boots,” Justice whispers.
“Is that so?” I murmur.
“What can I say? I have a thing for boots. But I like yours better.”
I glance down at my scuffed, knee-high boots. “Good.”
When Felix speaks, his deep voice echoes through the throne room. “Hey, Kalle,” he says, with no regard for royal protocol. He sips from a glass of what appears to be white wine.
