Page 32 of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic

“Your chance to fly.” His smile was inviting, but…

“What if your magic fails? If someone sees us?”

“It won’t fail. And nobody is looking up here. If they do, they’ll think we’re birds.”

“Floating birds?”

The bars bent so that there was enough room for her to step out, and he reached out his hand. “Are you going to tell me you never dreamed of flying?”

“You don’t want to know my dreams.”

“Of course I do.”

She shook her head. “I have too many nightmares.” Still, she held his gloved hand, then realized she wasn’t really holding him. “Are you sure it’s safe?”

“I’ll hold you. The lights of the city look so good from up high.”

That was the kind of thing she’d never forgive herself if she didn’t do. She stepped on the windowsill, avoiding looking down, then felt Fel’s arms around her as they floated up and away from the castle.

Perhaps it was too late to realize she feared heights, as she leaned her head on his chest and closed her eyes. “How does it work?”

“Don’t ruin the magic. Look. It’s beautiful, I promise.”

Leah dared look and noticed they were almost touching the top of the dome. The lights on the ground looked like glitter. “It is beautiful. But you got my heart racing.”

His chest vibrated in a soft chuckle. “Says the girl who scared half the ball tonight.”

“It’s their fault they’re afraid of a dead rat who can cause them no harm.”

“Do you think it worked? Did it scare away your suitors?”

“I wish it had.” She didn’t want to let go of him, so she was still leaning against his chest, which made talking a little odd, as she couldn’t see his face. “Aren’t you afraid of heights?”

“Fear is not something I yield to. It’s useful, and it’s good to listen to it, but it’s not meant to stop anyone. It’s just a warning.”

Leah wondered what he could be afraid of, and didn’t think she could come up with anything. “A warning against what?”

“A wild animal can be dangerous, for example. Social and political situations can be dangerous. But you’re right. That’s not really fear. Perhaps I would fear other types of things. Opening up can be scary, as you never know how the other person will react.”

“Sometimes you do.”

“Maybe.” He held her tighter. “Everything worthwhile in this world carries some risk. But the funny thing is that avoiding them won’t prevent the pain. My father says you can’t fall in love in two days. Or one day. But then how’s that supposed to work? How long does it take you to know if a melody pleases you? How long does it take to feel if the weather is hot or cold? How long to know if something fits you? It takes seconds, Leah. My father also says that if falling in love was good, you wouldn’t fall. Well, then, I’m flying in love.”

Leah could barely believe his words, but she was unsure how to answer. Basking in the smell of his clean hair and skin, the feel of his magic, and his arms around her, she wanted to keep on holding him, but she was also getting dizzy and having difficulty getting her thoughts together.

His forehead leaned against hers. Unwittingly, she raised her face and soon felt his lips meeting hers. Such a soft, delicate, pleasant touch. She kissed his lips, he kissed hers, and then there was nothing but kissing, their mouths entwined. Leah would be floating even if her feet were on the ground, and now her heart was hammering with twice its usual strength, blending the fear of the height and the ecstasy of kissing the only prince she had ever wanted to kiss.

She moved her face away and confessed, “I’m afraid of heights. Can we go back? But… I liked it.”

He chuckled, but guided her back to the castle. The window was still open and the bars bent, so she stepped in, glad to have something firm under her feet. Fel was still floating outside.

“Come in,” she said. “But just don’t…” She wasn’t even sure what to say and felt like her cheeks were burning. “I trust you, but let’s not… do anything that would ruin me.”

“I would never, Leah. But I can talk to you from here, if you’re afraid.”

She reached out her hand and pulled his elbow. “I’m not afraid of you.”

Fel came in and Leah shut the window behind him. Only now she realized she was wearing only her nightgown, and it was odd that it hadn’t bothered her earlier. But then, it covered more than the dress from the ball.

---