Page 37 of A Fate of Ice and Lies
“In the store,” one of the other officers said. “Everyone, get in the store.”
I watched as the shadow approached, three figures coming into view the closer they got.
That feminine whisper filled my ears as Leanora called the approaching figures her enemy. No,ourenemy.
I bit my bottom lip, pushing her out of my head. Still, her words slithered across my mind, making goosebumps rise everywhere.
I huffed out in exasperation. If only Leanora’s character spoke to me when I wanted to sit down and write. But like the evil witch she was, she came to me on her terms, which was usually when I was asleep or too busy to jot down ideas in my dream journal.
“Ted,” Donnie said, urging me, trying to usher me into the food bank.
I scowled. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure.” He rested his hands on my shoulders and, again, turned me toward the store. “But I can’t do my job if I think you’re in danger.”
I pointed toward the food pantry. “Because some broken glass separating me from whoever is coming will keep me safe?” I crossed my hands over my chest. “I’m not going anywhere, Donnie. This is my town too, and I have a right to know what’s going on and what kind of threats I’m facing.”
A few of the other people around us grunted their agreement. A wave of relief swam through me when Collette went inside with her daughter. Before going in, she turned tome with a quick nod before kissing the top of her daughter’s head.
I was torn between following them in to make sure Collette stayed with Victoria and standing my ground with whoever was heading toward us. But surely, she wouldn’t leave her daughter now when we were all so vulnerable.
Donnie sighed. “Can you. . . just get behind me? If they’re fae, stay quiet. Don’t draw attention to yourself.”
When he reached his hand toward me, I clasped it, watching as three men made their way toward us. Behind them, they each pulled what seemed to be a cart on two wooden planks that worked as sleds.
My heart raced as they neared, and it wasn’t until Donnie shifted that I realized I was digging my nails into his hand. I loosened my grip and forced a slow breath from my chapped lips.
“The one in the middle is Elias,” Donnie whispered without turning his attention from the men.
“You know him?” My voice came out rough, but I didn’t dare clear the sudden thickness that rested in my throat.
“He’s the fae in charge of Colina and the surrounding towns.”
“What does that mean?” I hissed out. And why hadn’t he or Ryenne told me about him before?
The man, or fae, towered over us, including Donnie, who stood just over six feet tall. His eyes, the most brilliant shade of violet, stared at Donnie’s and my joined hands, and he flared his nostrils. Uneasy, I wiggled my hand from Donnie’s grasp, but he held firm. The fae’s gaze locked on my blanket that I tugged closer to me.
“It seems the female doesn’t want you holding her,” Elias said.
Heat rushed over my neck and cheeks, and I suddenly felt hot enough to melt the snow. A guttural growl emanated from Elias, and when Donnie shifted, I held his hand tighter, using both hands to keep my grip on him this time.
Elias’s eyes darkened so quickly I wasn’t sure if I imagined it, but then they softened, and he turned his lips to a small, reluctant smile. “I apologize.” He bowed his head. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
I jutted my chin out at the fae, whose gaze was terrifying and exhilarating. Just like Commander Hudson, Elias’s skin was flawless. So perfectly white he could have been carved from the snow.
He tipped his chin back at me, spreading his full lips into a breathtaking smile. His long fingers ran over his square jaw that he then pushed through his long black hair.
Where his hands were ungloved, I noticed his friends—warriors, companions?—wore gloves that looked similar in color as my blanket.
As if he’d heard my thoughts, he reached for my blanket, but before he made contact, I took a retreating step back. His fist clenched before he dropped it to his side.
Enthralled, I ran my eyes over the long, corded muscles of his arms to his broad shoulders. He was lethal, but somehow, that knowledge set me at ease. Power radiated off the carved muscles of his body, but I didn’t have anything to fear from him.
So focused on Elias, I forgot about everyone else around us until Donnie brushed his lips over my right ear.
“Go inside, Ted,” he pleaded.
“Teddy, is it?” Elias asked, his voice like sinful silk.
