Page 16 of Fae Farewells

“Why? What about your grandfather?”

He blew out a heavy breath. “You need to chill the fuck out first. I know you have more on your plate than we do, but gods, Lo.”

“Are you saying my attitude is too frosty for the Winter prince?”

Unimpressed icy eyes met mine. “I seem to remember telling you I could give you a run for your money. Have you already forgotten?”

“Now?”

“Shhhh, these are sacred grounds.”

“Vaughn,” I demanded, albeit a little whiny.

“Prince,” he corrected, spinning me to face him. “We are at the temple of my ancestors.”

I snorted. “You can’t be serious. It’s pretty inappropriate to fight over the remains of your family.”

“Are you telling me no?”

“That’s not what I’m saying.” I tilted my head to the left, studying him. “I see what you just did there.”

“Good. Drop your backpack and get ready.”

I propped my backpack against the ancient steps that led into the temple, noticing the wear from repeated entry. The exterior was built with beautiful weathered cream stones covered in moss.

But the inside looked more like an arena than any temple I’d ever seen. A dais sat in the center of the grand room, raised bench-like seating wrapped around the walls with lit torches every few feet.

That was all the appraising I got to do.

An icicle whirled through the air, slicing into my bicep. I glanced down, watching my skin mend itself back together before seeking out my fae. He stood across the room, a new piece of ice forming in his palm.

“Half speed then?” I asked him, wondering if I really wanted to fight him.

Sex sounded better, but a fight would burn energy just as fast.

“Give me your all.”

That didn’t sound like a good plan at all. I didn’t know what he could take.

I could test him, though.

Quickly, I formed a ball of fire and flung it at him. I missed, but it was a diversion. I faded from sight, melding into the shadows cast from the skylight on the roof.

He didn’t move, didn’t try to track me, just stared at where I had been. I reappeared behind him, becoming corporal as he fully misted from my grasp.

Then he was in front of me, his eyes cold, mouth set in a flat, firm line. “I said give me your all. Why are you holding back?”

“I didn’t know if you meant it or not.”

He pulled me against his chest, and I buried my nose against his neck, softly sliding from that sensitive spot near his shoulder to the edge of his ear. He smelled different, stronger than normal. It was crisp and fresh. What I imagined miles of snow smelled like.

“I meant it.”

I backed away and began circling him. His hands dropped to his sides as frost curled along his fingers, but he never moved to track me. Not even when I was completely at his back.

Hmmm. Curious.

As I came into his view, he smirked and the first snowflake landed on the tip of my nose before falling at a steady pace.