Page 127 of The Prince from a Cruel Summer
“I’m not meant to be his queen, Ezra. I’m not meant to be anyone’s queen,” I rephrase for clarity.
He grows quiet at that—a littletooquiet. “Why not?"
“If I stay here, your father will destroy me. You have to take me to the new world, now.”
Ezra doesn't hesitate. “Come.” He clasps my hand in his and pulls me to the closest mirror. “Close your eyes and hold on tight.”
A cold wave washes over us as he guides me through the sceawere—the space between worlds where only those in possession of a Shadow mask thrive. I wassoclose to getting one, too. I screw my lids shut, because if I dared open them, nightmares might follow me wherever I went.
Ezra stops abruptly, and the momentum of our trip causes me to collide into his side. “Alright. We’re here. You can open your eyes now.”
I blink, taking in my surroundings.
We’ve emerged from the sceawere into a quaint Scottish cottage. The voyage left a trail of frozen tears on my cheeks, and I scratch them off my skin with my nails.
“Where are we?” I ask, still disoriented from Aidan’s brutal dismissal and the rushed trip through the in-between.
A heavy mahogany desk, cluttered with antique inkwells, quills, and stacks of yellowed letters, dominates the study. A glass curio cabinet, filled with delicate porcelain figurines and antique teacups stands in the corner, catching the daylight streaming through the bay window.
A plush, velvet sofa flaunts a deep, inviting purple. Its cushions, firm and plump, are covered in a subtle floral pattern. It looks brand new, a stark contrast to the antique charm of the rest of our surroundings.
It’s so eerie to see the sun here, still shining as though my whole world hasn’t been swallowed by darkness in the span of a few hours.
Ezra grabs a purple wool throw from the sofa and wraps it up around my frame, rubbing some life back into me. “Scotland, in the new world. My grandmother lives here. She's the best person to ask for help in a crisis. She's used to dealing with exiles and the like. She can help you."
"Ahem," a stern voice interrupts. “Don’t speak for me, my starlight. It’s rude.”
"Beth needs your help," Ezra explains with a sheepish grin.
"Yes, I see that.” She motions to the next room with her cane. “Why don't you both sit in the kitchen? I'll make us some tea."
Ezra moves to sit at the head of the table in the next room, but I grab his arm. "Thank you for taking me here, but you should go."
"No, I'm staying with you for the night. You're shaken." He moves to touch me, but I slip away.
"You have to go." I give his chest a gentle but determined push.
He frowns, his gaze flying down to my hands. "Why?"
"Your father might have tracked us through the sceawere. And if he catches you helping me, he’ll punish you, I’m sure."
Ezra’s brows knit together, his face ashen. “I did what he asked. That better have bought me some leeway."
My gaze drops to the floor as I confess, "Ezra... Iris told me. She told me you had feelings for me."
He runs a hand through his hair. "For Helios' sake, Beth, I'm so sorry about Aidan. I knew how you felt about each other, so I figured... I knew as long as he was around, you wouldn't be able to really see me. And I'm glad to be your friend—truly. Since the wedding happened, I've been drinking a little more than is good for me, and I slipped up and said too much. Please don't think... I mean, it's not exactly…
"Flaming hell. I never meant to tell you tonight. I'm in love with you, and I know you're not in the same place, but I can't hold you in my arms while you cry and try to twist my words out of this. I love you, Lady Snow, and I don't care who comes for me, I will not abandon you in this world, all alone."
I shake my head. "Ezra. You know how much I care about you..."
"Shh. Don't do that. I don't need to be coddled. Let me be there for you knowing damn well you don't love me back. You love Aidan. I get that, really, I do. But he's proven today that he doesn't deserve you."
"I'm sure he didn't have a choice."
"Nonsense. If he let you go, it's because he's a scared idiot."
I chuckle bitterly. "How do you know you're not simply under my spell, too?"
