Page 19 of A Court of Fire and Frost

The scents and sights change and my instincts take me to a place I know well. Metal, salt, and magic flood my senses, and I swoop to land on a fishing boat. The vessel bobs up and down on choppy water. It’s dark, though, that matters little to a naturally nocturnal animal. I scan the area, my sights landing on the office nearby. Both flame and artificial lighting stream out. I don’t have to get closer.

I see the mysterious Summer Fae sitting at his desk, filling out paperwork. There are bags under his eyes and deep shadows that seem to follow him around. His shoulders are drooping, and he keeps rubbing his eyes.

Why is he so tired?

Concern floods through me for this strange, nameless Fae. I flap my wings, trying to shake off the odd sensation. I need to snap out of this!

This isnotan appropriate emotion for a Winter Fae.

It’s for the weak.

And weakness is deadly.

I hiss, flapping my wings and stealing one last peak at the Fae before launching myself back into the night.

I shift and climb into my bed when I arrive at the igloo. Sleep claims me almost instantly.

* * *

Lightand fast fingers run over my skin, dancing across my flesh. He touches my lips, my breasts, my hips. His hands are hotter than mine, carrying traces of fire, and my entire body tightens in anticipation.

A moan slips from my lips. “More,” I beg him.

The flame he cast burns above us, and his pale face glimmers in the firelight. His skin is starkly contrasted to mine... opposites in every way. His auburn hair hangs down like a curtain, and though he has no name, I know him as I've known no other.

He bends, kissing me slowly. Softly. It’s not enough. He’s teasing me, but I don’t want that. I want all of him.

I surge forward, wrapping my hand around his neck and drawing him towards me. I need more. I need it all. My tongue probes his lips, and they open for me. He tastes of fire and sunshine and life. Our lips and tongues and teeth tangle, but it’s not enough. I need more. I need him all.

In the next breath, our clothes are gone. Or maybe they weren’t here at all. It’s hard to know in this land of dreams. Either way, his pale body is pressed against mine. He fits me perfectly.

Warmth runs through my entire body, and I’m hot. Too hot.

I writhe beneath him, and his hand dips between my legs. His fingers tease me once more. Again and again, he touches me until all I can do is arch my head back and scream.

He captures my mouth with his, swallowing my cries of pleasure.

Heat runs through my body. I’m hot. Too hot. Flicking my hand, I cover us both in frost. It melts in mere moments.

The nameless Summer Fae chuckles roughly. “Tell me, darling, what do you want?”

I reach between us, my hand dancing over his length. “Everything,” I said, squeezing lightly.

The sound he makes is half-relief, half-delight as he rolls us over and slides between my legs.

Once again, I’m hot all over.

Our hands, mouths, and bodies tell a tale older than time.

When it is over, we lie in each other's arms until the sun rises over the horizon.

Chapter7

A Date With Danger

NATHANIEL

Sunlight is struggling to find a way through the gray clouds overhead. The mirror reflects my sleepy reflection in my ant-size bathroom. There’s barely enough room to turn in a full circle in this glorified coat closet. My mother would never approve of me in such a small space. I grab an eye cream from the medicine cabinet and pray it will work miracles on these damn circles.

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