Page 21 of Court of Winter

Coming to a crouch, the prince slashed out, his weapon arcing through the air right as the fairy reared.

A line of red appeared on the bear’s belly, and his roar turned to one of pain. Behind him, the fae youth still lay listlessly. Time was running out.

“Last chance!” the prince called. “Transform backnow!”

Despite the blood running freely along its fur, the husband gave a furious bellow and then ducked his head and charged.

The prince’s lip curled. “So be it.”

The fairy in his ice bear form swiped a massive paw toward the prince’s face.

But his arm didn’t connect.

A shockwave of magic unleashed from the prince.

My breath stopped.

Time stood still.

The prince’s affinity rose so swiftly it speared the air.

Power radiated from the entire house.

I shuddered.

Jolted.

Nearly vomited.

An agonized roar came from the fairy. His massive head tilted back, revealing a mouth filled with fangs. Convulsions shook his furry frame, then he crumpled to the ground, his entire body spasming as a shimmer of energy vibrated the air around him. His figure morphed, the transformation happening too quickly for me to see.

I blinked, and a naked fae male lay still on the stone floor. I brought a hand to my mouth and took a step forward. Nausea churned in my gut. Blessed Mother, I had no idea if he was dead or only unconscious.

Before I knew what I was doing, I grabbed the door and pulled it open.

“Ilara, no!” Haxil called.

But I flew through the door before the guard could stop me. My focus zeroed in on the fairy. He couldn’t be dead. The prince wouldn’t kill him for being drunk and acting violently. Surely, he’d simply subdued him.

Prince Norivun’s frosty gaze cut to mine, and then he was there, standing in front of me as a deadly coldness swirled around him.

I tried to sidestep him, but he met my attempts like a wall, his body once againthere.

“Is he dead?” I whispered.

The prince’s jaw tightened.

“Please don’t kill him.”

“I’m sorry, my prince,” Haxil said as he encircled my arm from behind. “She ran inside before I could stop her.”

“Don’t kill him.Please.” Tears pricked my eyes as I gazed upward at the prince. “Surely, you won’t. Surely, you’re not that much of a monster.”

The muscle in Prince Norivun’s jaw ticked. “Remove her, Haxil.”

“Yes, my prince. Apologies again.”

And then I was being tugged backward, away from a sobbing Mealow as her husband lay still on the floor. Lifeless.

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