Page 103 of A Court of Fire and Frost

We have had an incomparable bond since the first moment we met. It’s nothing like the one that binds us now. I keep sneaking glances at him as we march down the long hallway.

My husband. He walks regally behind the Warlock, who goes by Akron, his back straight as though he hasn’t been whipped within an inch of his life during the past twenty-four hours. All the pain I was feeling earlier, all the sorrow, washed away after he agreed to bind himself to me.

He loves me.

I am giddy inside. This isn’t even an emotion I knew existed. To be fair, I haven’t had much of a chance to explore them, but I’m fairly certain this is something I’ve never felt before.

Laughter rises inside of me every time I glance over at him. It is as though my joy is rippling over at the thought of having bound ourselves together. This is the most un-Elva thing I’ve ever done.

It’s all because of him. This Summer Fae male. He makes me want to be a better Fae than the monster I was raised to be.

He makes me want to be giddy. As we walk a path to what is likely certain doom, I keep glancing at this male and imagining what it would be like to have him rip this dress off me with his teeth.

As if he can sense the direction of my thoughts, he turns and winks at me.

By the gods. Summer Fae can’t read minds, can they?

Blood rushes to my face, and I am grateful for my dark skin to hide my embarrassment. Gods, it’s not like I’m some virginal youngling, but he makes me feel so... fresh. Beautiful. And I like that—a lot.

He chuckles, low and deep, the sound warming me as we walk along the long corridors. I somehow can’t help but be elated, despite our horrifying circumstances.

Chances are, my husband will never make it out of these walls alive.

I know my mother. That cold, deep, dark rage that lives inside of her. It has always been there, but it worsened after Father died.

When she finds out we’ve married each other, she will be furious.

She will kill him on the spot if she finds out what I’ve given him.

I can’t let that happen.

I won’t.

With each step I take, I resolve to get us out of this. Nathaniel might be a Summer Fae, but he ismySummer Fae.

* * *

Finally,we come to a stop before an elaborate set of tall doors that are made entirely of ice.

I stare at the doors, the carvings a new addition since the last time I’ve been here. An enormous leopard is carved into the ice, its large paw holding down a snowy owl on the snow. The snowy owl appears to be crying out, its beak wide as it stares at the leopard.

Subtle, Mother. Very subtle.

I watch as Nathaniel stands in front of the door, staring at the carvings. A muscle feathers in his jaw as his fists clench. He scowls at the sight. I slide my hand into his, sending a burst of frost into his hand. The Warlock is talking to a Were on the other side of the hallway and doesn’t notice my use of magic or the way we are touching.

My Summer Fae looks at me, and I nudge him forward. We can’t cause a scene.

Not here, not now.

He seems to understand, for he nods and pushes open the door. The room is large, and a mahogany table fills the space. It can seat at least ten people, but there are only four settings at the table right now.

I raise a brow and shrug, walking over to the side table and pouring myself a generous serving of Fae mead. I throw it back, feeling it burn as it runs down my throat. As I set down the glass, my back warms up with a lick of flame. I know without turning around that Nathaniel is nearby. I pour him a serving of Fae mead and turn around, handing him the cup.

He’s standing a foot away from me, and I have the perfect view as he grins, showing me that gorgeous dimple, before tossing back the Fae mead. He grumbles in appreciation before his right arm snakes around me. I lean into his touch, but before I can do anything else, he is pouring another serving of the mead into his glass.

He taps the tip of my nose, taking a step back from me. “If you keep looking at me like that, darling, it won’t matter where we are. I’ll take you up on those thoughts from earlier.” He ambles over to the table and pulls out a seat, dropping himself in it before tapping his fingers on the table.

I’m sure the tips of my ears are turning red as I turn away from Nathan. I busy myself with pouring a glass of sparkling Fae wine, before taking the seat beside him. I pointedly inch the chair away from him, trying not to ignite the fire I started in the bathing room earlier.

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