Page 99 of Court of Winter

An avalanche of power suddenly crashed into me, sucking the breath from my chest as the crown prince appeared in the doorway, his hair tousled and his body flexing with power. His aura pounded from him in waves as he stood in the balcony’s doorway with Nuwin just behind him.

“See, brother. We’ve found her, and she’s just fine,” Nuwin said, clapping the crown prince on the back.

But the prince’s gaze landed on where Michas stood, and a savage expression rippled across his features. “Step away from her. Now.”

The Osaravee lord’s lips peeled back. “I’ve done nothing wrong, my prince. She’s here of her own choosing.”

“I said,Step away from her.”

Michas muttered a sound of irritation, then dipped his head toward me. “Good night to you, Lady Seary. It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” With that, he stalked past the prince and Nuwin and returned to the throne room.

Nuwin made to follow him, but Prince Norivun extended a wing, stopping him. “I’m not through with you, brother.”

Nuwin gave a lopsided smile. “I’m sure you’re not.”

“Did you think it was a game? You dare to take her from my side on tonight of all nights?”

The younger prince’s expression turned sheepish. “She needed a break from you, brother. I simply provided her an escape. I was trying to be a gentlefae.”

Norivun lowered his wing and closed the space between them until they stood toe to toe. “You know what she is to me, yet you still play your games?” he said it so quietly that I almost didn’t hear him.

What I was to him?I cocked my head, wondering what he meant by that comment.

Nuwin gave his brother an appeasing smile and patted his shoulder. “It was just some harmless fun, Nori. All’s well. And look, Michas even kept her warm.” Nuwin gestured to the jacket I wore.

The prince cursed as the aura around him strengthened. Bowing, Nuwin gave me a wink before leaving the balcony and closing the door behind him.

Alone on the balcony with the crown prince, I stiffened as he prowled closer to me. The air seemed to thin with each step that he took until it felt as though I couldn’t catch my breath. All the while, I kept thinking about what Michas had claimed—that Norivun had mistphased back to the castle repeatedly during his time away to murder more fae.

Vivid blue irises swirled with power as the prince’s nostrils flared. “Did Michas hurt you?”

“No, not at all.” I pulled the noble’s jacket tighter around me. “We talked and danced, and he said he wanted to get to know me more. That’s all.”

“But he was nearly...touching you.”

“So?”

The crown prince’s eyes narrowed further. “Why are you wearing his jacket?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I was cold, and he offered it.”

His frown deepened, and then in a swift move, Michas’s jacket was off my shoulders and fluttering to the ground. Cold air assaulted me, but before I could gasp, the prince unbuttoned his own jacket and slid it around my shoulders. Warmth as hot as a roaring fire settled over my skin, and the prince’s tantalizing scent of snow and cedar came next.

My heart pounded as his top settled around me. “What did you do that for?”

“I don’t like seeing his clothes on you.”

“Why?”

“Because.”

“Becausewhy?”

“Does it matter?”

I straightened and knew if I didn’t ask now, I would always wonder. “Can I ask you something, and do you promise to be honest?”

His expression turned guarded. “What do you want to ask me?”

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