Page 51 of Thorns of Frost

That oily feeling slithered through the air, making me want to retch, and I clutched tightly to my magic, doing as Matron Olsander had instructed me so my Shield stayed up and didn’t allow others’ magic to affect me. After the debacle on the balance beam the other week, I’d spent hours learning to control my Shield better.

A soft growl worked up the crown prince’s throat, and he said in a low tone, “Really, Georgyanna... such an amateur move. Are you unable to charm any male without forcing your affinity upon him?” He took a step away from her and brought his glass to his lips.

With a suck of power, that oily feeling vanished from the air. Meegana and Nuwin both laughed, along with the other males around us, as Georgyanna’s lips parted. A fierce burst of color worked across her cheeks.

She glared at me, her expression so vicious that any relief I’d felt at the prince being too strong to fall prey to her antics vanished. The look she gave me indicatedIwas to blame for the prince’s reaction as an uncoiling angry energy vibrated the air around her.

I set my wine glass down. “I think I’m going to step outside. Do you want to join me, Meegana?”

Meegana bobbed her head and held her glass out to Nuwin. “Do you mind holding this?”

Nuwin took it easily as he continued talking to another male in the Trial, a tall and thin fairy who was also from Prinavee Territory.

Meegana looped her arm through mine. I smiled gratefully at her as Prince Norivun watched us over the rim of his glass.

Georgyanna’s death glare finally left me when Meegana and I stepped outside.

A light dusting of snow fell from the sky as the warmth from the dining hall faded behind us. Below us, the icy topiary maze gleamed in the moonlight. Beatrice and her date were long gone, but a tittering of laughter came from the dark garden stretching in front of the balcony. I could only guess that was where they’d disappeared to.

Concentrating on what Matron Olsander had taught me, I called upon my fire magic to keep me warm. I pictured a small kernel of flame gliding through my limbs. A second later, the goosebumps that had erupted across my skin vanished.

Meegana wrapped her arms around herself and headed toward one of the fire pits on the balcony. When she reached it, she held out both hands. “How’s your date been with Lord Waterline so far?”

I forced a smile and joined her, letting the natural fire call to my own. “Honestly? Awful. He keeps touching me and has no interest in actual conversation. Instead, he keeps staring at my breasts while telling me how magnificent he and his family are. What about you? How’s Nuwin been?”

She laughed, the sound genuine. “He’s quite funny, actually. I like him even though I know he charms all of the females.”

I grinned. “I like him too. He’s only been nice to me since we met.”

She fanned her hands more in front of the fire. “Do you like him inthatway?”

My eyes bugged out. “No, oh no, not at all. More like in a brotherly way.”

She smiled, her shoulders relaxing.

“Does that meanyoulike him in that way?” I teased.

She laughed. “Maybe?”

I laughed with her, and the sound was so natural from both of us that I relaxed even more as the fire’s heat warmed us.

“Prince Norivun seems to be quite protective of you,” she said after a moment of easy silence.

“He is.” I frowned and nibbled my lip. “He’s been that way since we met. Apparently, I’m a valuable commodity that he enjoys owning.” My response was so easy, so automatic, because until tonight, that was what I’d always thought, but the prince’s comments earlier had given me pause.

“My mother warned me to be careful around him, even though she also said to do everything in my power to marry him.”

My stomach clenched. “Oh? Why did she tell you to be careful of him?”

“Because of his reputation. He’s not very forgiving, and he’s so dangerous. You know, with how easily he’s able to kill fae.”

“Are you worried he would harm you?”

She cocked her head and rubbed her hands more in the fire’s heat. “When I first arrived, I would have said yes, but now? I don’t know. Sometimes I wonder what he’s truly like. I mean, if he’s as awful as everyone says he is, or if it’s all a misunderstanding.”

I nibbled on my bottom lip more. “I’ve wondered the same,” I admitted.

“Some say he’s the reason behind the disappearances in the castle, though. So maybe I’m being foolish to think he’s anything but terrible.”

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