Page 38 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

As they spoke, several servants scurried up the stairs. Magnus gave them a cursory glance and then turned his attention back to Nicholas.

“The Grimbrande?” Magnus exclaimed. “But, highness—”

Ella glanced from the steward to Nicholas. Magnus clearly had objections to the idea of them going to the Grimbrande Mountains. Objections which Nicholas didn’t want to hear.

“We will discusslater,” he said through his teeth, cutting him off. “Right now, Ella and I are famished.”

Even as he said it, her stomach rumbled. The two scones she’d managed to eat were long gone.

Magnus straightened and gave him a sharp nod. “Would you like to feast in the dining hall?” He motioned to the cavernous room to the right.

“In my chamber, if you please.” He held his hand out to her. “And then I’ll escort Ella to hers afterward.”

“Very good. I’ll have the meal brought up right away.”

Ella hesitated a moment as she watched Magnus hurry away.

“Come, Ella,” Nicholas said, still extending his hand to her.

She folded her arms over her chest, taking a step away from him. Here she was with aprinceall this time. He must think she was nothing but a naïve dolt as they traipsed through the forest and the snow to get to the castle. And why bring her here? He did say he thought it was the safest place for her.

But all that changed when they decided to rescue Ingrid from the dark queen.

“Not until you tell me who you really are,your highness.”

He flushed, his cheeks turning a dark pink as he clenched his jaw. He gave her a slow nod. “You’re right, of course. I should have told you from the start.”

Her eyes narrowed as she peered at him. “Are you a prince, then?”

It was almost as if she didn’t believe it.

“I am,” he said, his voice low and quiet.

Her arms dropped to her side as she gaped at him. She spun away from him, facing the roaring fire and the decorated tree in the great hall. When she went to the ball at the palace, it had never occurred to her she would dance with a prince. In fact, she hadn’t expected to see the prince at all. At least, the prince she knew from her own world. Instead, she had danced and jested with the prince of Rovenheim. And he had almost kissed her.

She shoved that thought away, trying to remain in touch with her ire. “You lied to me.”

“Well, I never actually told you I was a prince,” he said.

She frowned at him over her shoulder. “You lied by omission. That’s the same as lying.”

He spread his hands as if in surrender. “Ella, please understand—”

She turned on him. “Why were you at Whitebridge Palace?”

“I was attending the ball, the same as you.” He looked flustered, as though he didn’t understand why she was asking.

“Did you run into me on purpose?” she demanded, propping her hands on her hips.

“Ah, if I recall, my lady, you were the one who ran intome.” He grinned at her.

Heat pounded through her, pushing all the way to the roots of her hair as she blushed. Yes, of course, he was right. Shehadrun into him. He took a tentative step toward her, moving slowly with his hands still out.

“Ella, I didn’t tell you at the ball because…well, at the time it didn’t seem relevant. And then you ran away and I didn’t think I would ever see you again,” he said.

She dropped her arms and moved a little closer. “Did my fairy godmother send you here, too?”

His face was impassive for a long moment as he decided how to answer. “She insisted I come after you and find a way to return you back to your realm.”

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