Page 39 of A Fate of Ice and Lies
“I’ll get him out,” Elias said with an arrogant nod.
“With magic?” I asked.
When the weight of his full attention swung back to me, I shifted uncomfortably.
“The greatest of magic,” he replied. “With my dragon.”
I licked my lips. “Dragon?” I asked in wonder.
He openly studied me, his gaze searching my face for something. “Does that frighten you?”
“Dragons?” Feeling stupid, I mentally shook myself out of this stupor. “I’ve never met a dragon before,” I whispered. “The commander’s dragon is breathtaking.”
“My uncle’s dragon is a sight to behold,” he agreed.
“Your uncle?” My eyes widened while my pulse quickened. “Are you a commander too, then?”
He inched closer to me. When his fingers brushed over the knitted edge of my blanket, I stilled, barely breathing. His heated breath caressed my cheek, and I shuddered. My traitorous body begged for more.
“I’m the prince of my realm,” he whispered.
Surprised, I pulled away and gaped at him as his boyish grin vanished.
What was I doing, thinking? Teasing a fae as if he were anything more than the enemy.
“Don’t . . .” I took a step back.
He held up his hands and angled his head in question. “What did I do wrong?” Worry washed over his features as he took me in.
I squeezed my arms tighter to keep myself from shaking. “Don’t touch me. I don’t know you. I don’t—don’t touch me.”
“Okay,” he breathed out. “I won’t touch you. I’m sorry, Teddy.”
He stood awkwardly, this giant sculpture of a man, not knowing what to do or who to look at. He fisted his hands by his side before shoving them into the pockets of his pants.
“I think that’s enough, Ted,” Donnie said, placing his hand on my elbow. “Why don’t you go inside while we figure out what to do with the food?”
“Distribute it to your people,” Elias answered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“I won’t risk giving it to anyone until I know it’s safe,” Donnie argued.
“Why wouldn’t it be safe?” While his tone was calm, a vein strained along his neck.
“You said it yourself.” Donnie waved a hand in frustration before he shoved it back into his own pocket. “You harvested it with magic. Some of that produce can’t grow in this weather. Your magic may be unsafe for us.”
“You think I’d risk her. . .” He shook his head. “You think I’d risk anyone’s life?”
“I don’t know what to think,” Donnie tossed back, his face reddening in that telltale way that said he was much angrier than he was letting on. “I don’t know if you’re here to help or harm us.”
“Why would we waste our time harming you?” Elias asked.
“Why would you waste your time helping us?” Donnie countered.
Their back-and-forth made my head throb and made all the strange happenings of the past few days intolerable. My chest swelled; my heart batted against my ribs as this overwhelming sensation of everything and everyone flooded my brain.
“To harvest us, of course,” I joked.
I felt my cheeks flush when everyone turned to me. I choked back a nervous laugh, but when I couldn’t suppress it, I covered my mouth as laughter erupted. I hunched over, waving my hands in the air while I silently begged them to ignore me. Instead, Donnie’s hand circled my lower back as he leaned down with me.
