Betrayals of Spring (Forever Fae #2)(14)

I really don’t need to think about it, and so I chastise myself. I decide to concentrate on figuring out a way to get Meliantha alone, so I can speak to her privately. She has to hear what I have to say. The only sounds I hear as we walk along the path to their cottage are the sounds of their footsteps crunching on the path, and the sounds of the snow pattering on the ground.





- Arriving at the Palace -



This can’t be happening, I scream at myself. How can I be feeling this connection to Kalen after everything that’s happened and after everything he’s put me through? I can see Kalen’s hands clench when Finn possessively wraps his arm around me I kept repeating to myself over and over that I can do this and keep my distance; however, some strong force is urging me to look up. I tell myself not to look him, but my eyes have a mind of their own and betray me. They search for his eyes and find them staring back intently at me. The pull to him is so strong it makes me weak in the knees. I thought hearing his voice earlier was a shock to my system, but nothing compares to this. My heart flutters at the sight of him, and I grab my chest hoping it’ll stop. I don’t want to feel this way for the man that broke my heart. I need to feel the anger. The anger has gotten me through the pain all these years, so I dig deep within my soul to bring it to the surface.

I look at Kalen defiantly and I lift my chin. I refuse to be swayed by his charms; however, there is something different about him now. He doesn’t have the callous and evil looking eyes he had back when he broke my heart. He still looks like the same playful Kalen from before, but now he looks defeated and saddened.

Finn momentarily distracts me with the vice-like grip he has on my arm keeping me by his side. The look he’s giving Kalen sends chills down my spine and it has me worried. Finn has never been the jealous type.. He has always been easy going and laid back. I can tell Kalen is starting to get angry with the way Finn is acting toward him and the way he is holding me. He reaches for my hand, but I quickly step back. My heart stops at the thought of him touching me, but my mind refuses to let me budge. He looks hurt at my rejection, but it quickly dissipates into anger when he looks down at Finn’s heavy grip on my arm. In a clipped tone, he addresses the whole group and says for us to follow him to our quarters. His stride is quick and angry as he leads us out the back of the palace and back into the bitter cold.

Finn and I follow behind him while Elissa, Ashur, and Ariella trail along behind us. We’re all silent as we make our way along the path. I can hear Ariella sighing behind me in amazement. She’s always had a fascination with the Winter Court and I’m glad she’s enjoying her time here. At least one of us is.

The white and snowy landscape is beautiful here, but the absence of flowers and greenery makes me feel empty. I could never live here and be happy seeing nothing but white for the rest of my life. I can see down the path and we’re headed toward three different houses and a gorgeous water fountain. The water is actually flowing, which I find odd since the temperature is below freezing. Kalen must be working his water magic on it to get it flowing. The houses up ahead are two log cabins —one more luxurious than the other —and a little cottage nestled off to the side. The cabins are simple with their basic log frames, but the cottage beside them looks quaint and elegant. It looks like a cottage in Italy surrounded by a vineyard. I can tell it’s made from various varieties of gray stones with a steep gabled roof, which no doubt has been used to keep the weight of the snow off the cottage.

This place would be absolutely lovely surrounded by flowers. I can feel a twinge in my heart at the thought of flowers and gardens. I’ve neglected them recently and I know the land feels like I’ve abandoned it. I have promised it numerous times that I’ll return, but deep down I am afraid that I’m already lost.

I try desperately to get the thoughts out of my mind and to concentrate on the task at hand. The snow crunches beneath my feet and the frosty air smells of pine as it burns its way down my lungs. I have the urge to cough, but I hold it back as best I can. I’m not used to the dry, crisp air of the Winter Court. My body definitely isn’t either, especially my feet. I can feel the cold spreading its way through my body, giving me the chills. I clench my teeth down hard to keep the chattering from being heard. I’m silently cursing my stupidity as I look at Elissa admiring the palace grounds in her fluffy wool coat. Why was I trying to prove how strong I was by not wearing a coat?

Finn must have felt me shiver because he pulls me in closer to his body. I can feel his warmth and it does help, but my comfort is put on hold when I look up at his face. He gives me a wink and a sly grin, but it’s not a look I have seen on Finn’s face before. I think the chills I’m getting are not from the cold, but from him. I try to pull away from him slightly but his grip tightens on my arm keeping me in place. I have never been manhandled before, and it sure as hell isn’t going to start now. I grit my teeth to keep my anger held back. To avoid causing a scene, I call out to Ashur silently.

“Don’t look at me. Ashur, and don’t acknowledge that I’m talking to you, but I need your help. Something is wrong with Finn and he won’t let go of my arm when I try to pull away. I’m trying to keep everyone from noticing, but he’s beginning to piss me off and I’m not far from losing my temper.”

“Calm down and breathe, Princess. I could tell his mood switched from being pleasant to hostile in a matter of seconds. I was going to say something, but I didn’t want to alarm you. Has he done this before?”Ashur inquires.