Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms #4)(44)

She nodded, her throat tight.

“Fine.” He gestured toward his room. “Come in and experience the fine luxury I’ve been given by his majesty.”

She chewed her lip. “No, let’s go outside. I need some fresh air and . . . it will do you good.”

“Excellent idea. And if I freeze to death, I’ll be no further burden to you.”

“Stop it, Nic. You’re not a burden. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.” She grabbed him and hugged him hard.

He stiffened with surprise, but then returned her hug. “Are you all right?”

“That’s a very good question. I’m not so sure anymore.”

He nodded. “Then let’s have that talk.”

Nic grabbed his warm cloak, and Cleo led him out of the palace and into the ice gardens.

“Have you seen the labyrinth?” she asked, drawing the hood of her cloak up over her head to help block out the chill.

“Only from a distance.”

She eyed the red-suited guards dotting the white landscape. “I’ve walked it several times and know the way through. It’ll give us some privacy.”

As they entered the maze, Cleo hooked her arm through Nic’s for additional warmth.

“All right,” he said. “What’s so urgently private that we need to walk through a maze of ice on the coldest day I’ve ever lived?”

“Well, first I want to apologize. I feel that I’ve been neglecting you when you . . .” She took hold of his cold hand in her gloved one. “When you’ve been deeply in need of a friend.”

His steps faltered and his expression grew serious. “What do you mean? I know you’re my friend. I mean, you’re more than that. You’re my family now. The only family I have.”

“Yes, of course. But I know you’ve been so troubled since the temple . . . since Prince Ashur died . . .”

His face went pale. “Is that what this talk is all about? Don’t ask me about him, Cleo. Please.”

“I know you’re in pain, Nic. I want to help you.”

“I’m working it out for myself.”

“By getting drunk every night?”

“Perhaps it’s not the best strategy to clear a confused mind, but it’s one of the few I have available to me.”

“I can tell you’re confused. Talk to me about this, Nic—about him. I’m here for you. I mean it.”

His nose had already gone red from the cold, and his freckles stood out sharply on his pale face. “All I know is I’ve never felt that way, ever, for . . .” His jaw tightened. “I don’t know, Cleo. I can’t explain it, not even to myself. I’ve liked girls all my life, and I know I haven’t only been fooling myself. Girls are pretty and soft and . . . amazing. What I felt for you, especially for you . . . that wasn’t fake or a lie I told myself. It was real. But with the prince . . . I don’t know what to think. It’s not as if I’ve undergone some massive change and now want to kiss every boy that crosses my path.”

“But you liked him. Perhaps more than liked him.”

He rubbed his hand through his short red hair. “I barely knew him, Cleo. But . . . what I’d begun to feel, it . . . it didn’t feel wrong.”

Cleo nodded. “I completely understand. What our hearts want can overtake what our minds tell us is forbidden to us. We can’t control these feelings, even if we desperately wish we could.”

He began to eye her with suspicion. “You understand, do you? Why? Is your heart currently confused as well? Are we even out here to talk about me? Or are we talking about you?”

Nic always saw her clearly—more than anyone else did. She would be wise to remember that now.

She closed her eyes to try to block out all of her confusion, but all she could see was the Theon from her nightmare, staring at her with pain and confusion.

“Why would you betray me like this?”

“Cleo, look at me,” Nic prompted.

Reluctantly, she opened her eyes.

“Don’t,” he said sternly. “Just don’t.”

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about.”

“Of course you do,” Nic said, then groaned. “Just remember one thing: Everything the prince has done lately, he’s done it for one person only—and it’s not you. It’s him. He is every bit as scheming and conniving and selfish as his father. You’re smarter than this, Cleo. I know you are. You have to see through to the motivations behind everything he does.”

His tone was free from accusation or disgust. Rather, he spoke with patience and understanding . . . and perhaps a little frustration.

“I’m not sure what to believe anymore, Nic.”

“I can see that.” He swept her hair back from her face and behind her shoulder. “I know you didn’t come to me today to talk about love, Cleo. You came to me because you know that, whenever things get a little blurry, I can always help you see reason again. Prince Magnus is your mortal enemy, not a dark hero who will redeem himself for true love. And that’s never, ever going to change.”

She couldn’t help but laugh, but it held no humor. “You make me sound like a complete fool.”

“No, you’re no fool. You’re the smartest girl I’ve ever known.” He grinned. “And the best-looking one, by far. I know you’re going to do the right thing. But you have to remember who your enemy is. Remember why we came back to this palace—for more information about the Kindred. If we can get even one of them you’ll have your throne back.”