Page 59 of Crowns of Ice

I pulled her toward me as magic flowed along my limbs. Now that plans were finally in motion to removemy father, an aching need to destroy every part of him fired through me.

“Yes, my love. Let’s go see your family.”

Ilaraand I mistphased to the Cliffs of Sarum, leaving my guards behind so they could enjoy a much deserved break. Cold pelting snow hit Ilara and me from every angle the second we reappeared. I formed a thin area of high pressure beneath us, creating a solid bubble for us to stand upon. The snow was so deep now that we would easily sink to our waists without the aid of magic.

Winter had truly set in, bringing with it non-survivable temperatures. Those with a fire affinity to keep their blood and limbs heated could survive in this area until their magic tapped out, but everyone else would perish within hours if they were exposed.

The glistening, enchanted ice cliffs rose before us as my mate created a warm pocket of air around us, cutting off the wind and stinging snow. The cliffs’ magic made them glisten like jagged spears, a rainbow of colors appearing in them when the light hit them just right. Other times, they appeared like blue razors, sawing and cleaving their way through our frozen land.

I still remembered the first time I’d ventured here, having to bring Balbus with me to navigate them. Only the locals knew the intricacies of this land. But even though Balbus was a son of Harrivee, he’d spent hundreds of winters on the Cliffs of Sarum in hisyounger days. He knew the intricacies of the cliffs nearly as well as those born on the northern tip of Isalee. Without my loyal servant aiding me, I never could have created this refuge. Of course, Balbus had no idea why I’d brought him here. Only my guards knew of this oasis, but my faithful servant had helped save the fae trapped within these cliffs, even if he didn’t know it.

“You’ll need to rest after this.” Ilara touched my arm as the wind howled outside of my magic.

The contact sent a rumble of pleasure through me. Every time she touched me, I longed for more.

My wings tightened at my back, and I let my magic build along my limbs. “I’ll rest until tomorrow.”

She nodded as I drew upon my magic to cleave through the veil hiding the fae within. The veil shimmered before us, and I pumped my hands into fists. My illusion was so thick surrounding the hidden village that it felt as though I was trying to hack through twenty feet of solid steel.

I called upon more of my affinity, heating and rolling it through me, and my illusion magic began to shimmer.

A moment passed before my illusion parted, revealing the hidden city within. Ilara and I stepped through the barrier, and my wards gripped both of us. After the magic detected that neither of us was a threat, we were released.

Breathing heavily, I sucked in air as I let my magic calm.Ock. I would never get used to the feeling ofgrowing so depleted so quickly as I did every time I visited here.

“Ah, the prince and Lady Seary have come!” a female yelled.

The fae who spotted us grinned and waved in our direction. A few ran up to me and began asking what had been occurring in the outside realm. While I knew everyone here was grateful to be alive, I also knew that this existence wasn’t fulfilling. None of them could leave. All of them were trapped here. It was the lesser of two evils, but it was evil nonetheless.

“Troubling events are occurring in Solisarium right now,” I answered truthfully.

The female’s lips downturned.

“We’re hoping to free you all soon,” Ilara added, and that fierceness lit her eyes that I loved so much. “We’re working to dethrone the king.”

Gasps followed, and the female to our left brought a hand to her chest. “But how? How in the realm will you take down King Novakin?”

My mate looked to me to respond, and through our bond I could feel her hesitancy. She wanted to provide the citizens here with hope, but she didn’t know how much to reveal.

“There are others working against my father as well. Factions have formed, and a rebellion is on the horizon.” I stood taller, lifting my wings more. “His end is coming.”

I didn’t add that my end could be coming just as fast. While I would go down fighting against my father,I wasn’t foolish enough to believe that it would be easy. In all likelihood, some of us wouldn’t survive.

I locked down that fear as far as it would go. So far, I’d managed to keep my darkest thoughts from bleeding through the mate bond to Ilara. She was under enough stress as it was. I wouldn’t add to her anxieties.

“When will this happen, my prince?” one of the females asked.

“Soon,” was all I replied before I nudged my mate toward her family’s temporary home.

We passed the familiar shops, gardens, and decorative fountains on our way to their single lane. Their house sat at the end of a narrow street, and Ilara burst through the door.

All four of her family members were there, and they jumped to standing when we appeared in their living area.

“Ilara! Prince Norivun!” Her mother beamed. “How lovely that you’ve come for a visit.”

Ilara’s smile faltered.

Her father glanced between the two of us, then stepped toward her mother. He slipped an arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “I don’t think they’re here just for a visit, my love.” He kissed her on the temple.

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