Page 58 of A Court of Fire and Frost

“You’ve never wanted to see me naked?” he says, wiggling his strange red eyebrows.

Seeing him naked had been on my mind more than once. But I don't say that, though. I just stare at him.

He laughs. “I knew you got my jokes!”

I blink, my mouth opening and closing as I try to think of something to say.

I've got nothing. It's too hard to think while he's naked, with only snow covering him. I'm a bounty hunter of the world's worst criminals, and I'm tongue-tied because of one Summer Fae male who can't even shift properly.

Ridiculous.

Get a hold of yourself.

Finally, my brain starts working again.

"I’m going to find you some clothes,” I say.

Before he can reply, I shift into my snowy owl and flap away. On my way to the sea, I saw some clothes hanging on a line in the village not far from here. It won’t be a long trip.

I fly over and grab a large red flannel shirt off the clothesline with my beak. In my claws, I carry a pair of black sweatpants and a pair of large runners. I hear people cursing behind me as I fly away with their belongings, but I mentally promise to pay them back.

In the long list of crimes I've committed, stealing a few clothes is the most innocuous thing I've ever done.

I bring the clothes and shoes, dumping them on the Summer Fae before shifting to my two-legged form. Fabric rustles, and I run my hands through my hair.

"Thank you,” he says. His voice is low and sends shivers down my spine."Don't worry, darling; it's safe to turn around now. I won't corrupt you any further."

"What if I want to be corrupted?" Instantly, I groan.Thereissomething wrong with me.

Slapping my hands over my eyes, I wish the ground would swallow me whole. I've never been this awkward in my entire life.

"While I appreciate your thoughts, Elva, I don't think I will be corrupting anyone right now after my extended stint in the snow."

There it is again. My name. It grabs me, squeezing a part of my heart that I thought died in the cell. No one uses my name. It’s like a spell, drawing me towards him.

Turning around, I slit open my fingers and peek through the gap. He's standing a foot in front of me, smirking as he stares at me.

"How do you know my name?" I force the words out, deciding that since the ground isn't going to open me up and swallow me whole, I'd better get my head on straight.

He runs a hand through his hair, shaking off the wayward snowflakes that have accumulated on his head. His russet hair sparkles in the sunlight, drawing my gaze.

"It's a long story," he says, shivering. I realize icicles are forming on his hair, his body unacclimated to the cold of the Northern Court.

"Gods, you must be freezing,” I say, extending a hand to touch his face. His lips are turning blue in the cold, his skin icy.

"I'm not warm," he says as a gust of wind blows by, shaking the branch above them before a pile of snow falls on his head.

Gods, I'm so stupid. Summer Fae aren't built for the cold.

"Can you summon a flame to warm yourself up while I find us some shelter?"

He starts, as though the idea of using his magic hadn't even occurred to him.

"Oh, yes. I can." With a flick of his wrist, he summons a large flame. Almost instantly, he sighs, the warmth bringing color back to his frigid face.

My lips tilt up into a small smile at the sound. "I have an idea," I say. "Wait here and warm up."

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