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Our breath rose up in smoky plumes.
We paused outside the old wine cellar, looking at each other. I was thinking it was the first night in a month that we hadn’t fucked each other. And yet . . . it might have been my favorite night together, despite how much I had enjoyed all the others.
I touched her face gently. Then kissed her once more, softly, carefully, as if it was the first time.
As I kissed her, I felt something cool against my face. Snowflakes drifting down, light as featherdown.
When I pulled back, I saw them resting in Cat’s hair and in her thick black lashes, like a hundred tiny frozen stars.
“I’ve never seen it snow here before,” Cat said in wonder.
I put out my hand and caught one perfect flake on my fingertip.
Cat brought my hand to her mouth and let it melt against her tongue.
I grabbed her and kissed her again, much harder.
I only released her when a crowd of Spies came along, wanting to descend down to their rooms.
Among them I saw Lola Fischer, tipsy on punch, leaning heavily against Dixie Davis, who had refused to wear a gown to the dance and was dressed in a tux instead.
“Look at the two lovebirds,” Lola said, grinning at us maliciously.
I watched her pass, silent and irritated.
For all that Cat has grown, I don’t like the idea of anyone holding a grudge against her. It makes me want to keep her right by me, and not let her out of my sight.
“Do you want me to walk you to your door?” I asked her.
Cat shook her head, slipping my jacket off her slim shoulders and handing it back.
“Don’t worry,” she murmured. “I’m not afraid of Lola.”
I’m not either. But I still watched Cat enter the dark yawning staircase with a feeling of unease.
I want to see her again today.
It’s the first day in ages that I’ve been completely unencumbered, not a single paper to write, no studying to do. Exams are over. I’m not even training with Snow, as he’ll be spending the day with Sasha, probably calling New York to speak to their two children.
As I think of him phoning his son Zane, the talented boxer on his own rise to fame, I feel that old spark of jealousy. But I crush it down at once. Snow has been good to me. I have no right to envy his son.
Besides, I’m much more interested in seeing Cat today than I am in receiving a phone call from my own father.
I shower and dress, trying to stay quiet because Bram is still snoring in his bed, then I head down to the dining hall to see if I can intercept Cat.
As I descend the stairs of the Octagon Tower, I find a fine layer of snow blanketing the grounds. The campus looks pristine and otherworldly, as if every inch of the grounds is clad in white marble. I almost hate to leave a trail of prints across the lawn.
I find Cat sitting at her usual table with Leo, Anna, Hedeon, Ares, Chay, and Rakel. The dining hall is packed with students. Everyone enjoys the Christmas brunch, which includes all the usual staples of pancakes, French toast, bacon, and eggs, as well as several regional favorites like German brown-butter skillet cake,Japanese egg custard,and Turkish poached eggs in yogurt.
I fill my plate, then carry it over to Cat’s table.
She looks startled but not displeased as I set down my tray across from her, squeezing in between Hedeon and Chay.
“Hey,” Leo says. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” I reply politely.
Anna is watching me, wary but not hostile. I give her what I hope is a friendly nod.
