Page 8 of Stolen Star

“Things that even the Winter Court fears,” Lira adds, her usual stoicism slipping just enough to reveal genuine concern. “We’d do well to avoid them.”

Calder nods sharply. “I’ll signal the other carriages. We move in five minutes.” He gives me a pointed look. “Try not to get into any royal trouble before then, Riven.”

With that, he steps back, Lira following in his wake.

Sapphire turns to me, her eyes alight with curiosity. “So, embedded in the ceiling?”

I groan, leaning back against the plush carriage seat. “I was fourteen and thought I could counter a disarming move by jumping.”

“And?”

“There was no way to remove it without breaking the building.” I shake my head, smirking at the memory. “We needed to gather nearly the entire royal guard to extract it without causing a total collapse.”

Sapphire’s magic dances around her as she laughs—water droplets catching the light like tiny prisms, creating rainbows that shimmer against the carriage walls. And for a second, I forget. I forget the weight of my crown, the blood on my hands, and the ghosts that follow me. All I see is her. All I feel is this. The unbearable ache in my chest that only she can soothe.

I lean forward, silencing her laugh with a long, deep kiss.

She’s warm and sweet, her breath cool like spring water, and when she sighs against my lips, desire coils tight and hot. My grip on her waist tightens, pulling her closer until I can feel every soft curve pressed against me—tempting me, daring me to lose control.

I’m seconds away from breaking when a shout from outside signals the caravan’s imminent departure.

“These three days in this carriage are going to be quite…” I trail off, resting my forehead against hers and weaving my fingers through her silky hair as I search for the right word. “Unforgettable. I intend to see to it personally.”

“Careful, Winter Prince—three days is a long time,” she says with that smile I love more than my own life. “You might end up begging me for mercy.”

“That’s ‘husband’ to you,” I reply, and then we’re kissing again, this time, slower. Deeper. More dangerous.

She tastes like starlight and sin, and I want her everywhere—under me, around me, inside every crack I’ve tried to freeze shut. Her fingers thread into my hair, tugging just enough to make me growl against her mouth.

I don’t care that the caravan is moving. I don’t care that Ghost huffs at our feet, or that Calder is probablysmirking from his saddle. Because the rest of the world can freeze. I’d let it, if it meant I got to keep kissing her like this for the rest of eternity.

We’re so lost in each other that we barely hear the crowd’s applause.

And then, the carriage lurches forward, carrying us toward whatever fate awaits us at the Summer Court.

ZOEY

Three weeksin the quarters attached to Aerix’s chambers, and I’m still no better at the harpsichord than I was the day he gifted it to me.

The sheet music stares back like a cruel joke, those little black notes swimming just out of reach. I thought five years of childhood piano lessons would count for something—but the harpsichord is no piano. It’s colder. Sharper. A beast that resents me.

“You can do this,” I say to myself, flexing my fingers over the keys again.

For a moment, it flows—water-like and perfect. Then my finger slips, striking a jarring minor chord that makes me wince.

“Don’t stop,” a voice says from the doorway. “The mistake is part of the learning.”

I startle, nearly falling off the bench as I whip around.

Aerix leans against the doorframe, his midnight eyes fixed on me with that unnerving stillness—the kind that makes your skin tingle before your brain even registers danger. His wings are tucked in, but they shift slightly, betraying his mood.

He’s pleased.

“How long have you been standing there?” I ask, heat rising to my cheeks.

“Long enough.” He steps forward, all predator fluidity and dark intent. “You’re improving.”

I snort. “Was that before or after I massacred that last chord?”

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