started from somewhere, wild and dark, drums pounding out a fast, frenzied rhythm. The fey swarmed together in a chaotic, writhing mass, leaping, howling and twirling madly, rejoicing in the coming of winter.
Â
I DIDNâT GET INTO the party. One, I wasnât in the mood, and two, dancing with the Winter fey didnât seem like such a great idea. Especially after I saw a group of drunk, glamour-high redcaps swarm a boggart and tear it limb from limb. It was like a mosh pit from hell. Mostly I hung back in the shadows, trying to avoid notice and wondering if Mab would think me rude if I retreated to my room. Looking at the frozen statues of humans and fey scattered throughout the courtyard, I decided not to risk it.
At least Rowan was absent from the celebrations, or lurking somewhere I couldnât see. I had been bracing myself to fend off his advances all night. Ash was also mysteriously absent, which was both a relief and a disappointment. I found myself searching for him, scouring the shadows and mobs of dancing fey, looking for a familiar tousled head or the glint of a silver eye.
Stop that, I thought, when I realized what I was doing. Heâs not here. And even if he was, what would you do? Ask him to dance? Heâs made what he thinks of you perfectly clear.
âExcuse me, Princess.â
For a moment, my heart leaped at the soft, deep voice. The voice that could either be Rowanâs or Ashâs, they sounded so much alike. Bracing myself, I turned, but it wasnât Ash standing there. Thankfully, it wasnât Rowan, either. It was the other brother, the oldest of the three. Sage.
Dammit, heâs gorgeous also. What was with this family, that all the sons were so freaking handsome it hurt to look at them? Sage had his brothersâ pale face and high cheekbones, and his eyes were chips of green ice, peering out beneath slender brows. Long black hair rippled behind him, like a waterfall of ink. His wolf sat a few paces away, watching me with intelligent golden eyes.
âPrince Sage,â I greeted warily, prepared to fend off another assault. âCan I help you with anything, Your Highness?â Or did you just come to push yourself on me like Rowan, or mock me like Ash?
âI want to speak with you,â the prince said without preamble. âAlone. Will you walk with me a bit?â
This surprised me, though I still hesitated, wary. âWhere are we going?â I asked.
âThe throne room,â Sage replied, sweeping his gaze back to the palace. âIt is my duty to guard the scepter this night, as only those with royal blood are allowed to touch it. With all the chaos from the Revel, it is best to keep the scepter away from the masses. It could get messy otherwise.â When I paused, thinking, he shrugged a lean shoulder. âI will not force you, Princess. Come with me or not, it makes no difference. Imerely wanted to speak to you without Rowan, Ash, or some phouka trying to eavesdrop on the conversation.â
He waited patiently as I struggled for an answer. I could refuse, but I wasnât sure I wanted to. Sage seemed straightforward, almost businesslike. Different from his brothers. He wasnât making any attempt to be charming, but he wasnât being condescending, either. And unlike Rowan, who oozed charm and malice, he wasnât using glamour, and I think thatâs finally what sold me.
âAll right,â I decided, motioning with my hand. âIâll talk with you. Lead the way.â
He offered me his arm, which surprised me again. After a momentâs hesitation, I took it, and we started off, his wolf trailing silently behind us.
He led me back into the palace, down empty halls swathed in ice and shadow. All the Unseelie fey were outside, dancing the night away. My footsteps echoed loudly against the hard floors; his and the wolfâs made no sound at all.
âIâve seen you,â Sage murmured without looking at
Â
I DIDNâT GET INTO the party. One, I wasnât in the mood, and two, dancing with the Winter fey didnât seem like such a great idea. Especially after I saw a group of drunk, glamour-high redcaps swarm a boggart and tear it limb from limb. It was like a mosh pit from hell. Mostly I hung back in the shadows, trying to avoid notice and wondering if Mab would think me rude if I retreated to my room. Looking at the frozen statues of humans and fey scattered throughout the courtyard, I decided not to risk it.
At least Rowan was absent from the celebrations, or lurking somewhere I couldnât see. I had been bracing myself to fend off his advances all night. Ash was also mysteriously absent, which was both a relief and a disappointment. I found myself searching for him, scouring the shadows and mobs of dancing fey, looking for a familiar tousled head or the glint of a silver eye.
Stop that, I thought, when I realized what I was doing. Heâs not here. And even if he was, what would you do? Ask him to dance? Heâs made what he thinks of you perfectly clear.
âExcuse me, Princess.â
For a moment, my heart leaped at the soft, deep voice. The voice that could either be Rowanâs or Ashâs, they sounded so much alike. Bracing myself, I turned, but it wasnât Ash standing there. Thankfully, it wasnât Rowan, either. It was the other brother, the oldest of the three. Sage.
Dammit, heâs gorgeous also. What was with this family, that all the sons were so freaking handsome it hurt to look at them? Sage had his brothersâ pale face and high cheekbones, and his eyes were chips of green ice, peering out beneath slender brows. Long black hair rippled behind him, like a waterfall of ink. His wolf sat a few paces away, watching me with intelligent golden eyes.
âPrince Sage,â I greeted warily, prepared to fend off another assault. âCan I help you with anything, Your Highness?â Or did you just come to push yourself on me like Rowan, or mock me like Ash?
âI want to speak with you,â the prince said without preamble. âAlone. Will you walk with me a bit?â
This surprised me, though I still hesitated, wary. âWhere are we going?â I asked.
âThe throne room,â Sage replied, sweeping his gaze back to the palace. âIt is my duty to guard the scepter this night, as only those with royal blood are allowed to touch it. With all the chaos from the Revel, it is best to keep the scepter away from the masses. It could get messy otherwise.â When I paused, thinking, he shrugged a lean shoulder. âI will not force you, Princess. Come with me or not, it makes no difference. Imerely wanted to speak to you without Rowan, Ash, or some phouka trying to eavesdrop on the conversation.â
He waited patiently as I struggled for an answer. I could refuse, but I wasnât sure I wanted to. Sage seemed straightforward, almost businesslike. Different from his brothers. He wasnât making any attempt to be charming, but he wasnât being condescending, either. And unlike Rowan, who oozed charm and malice, he wasnât using glamour, and I think thatâs finally what sold me.
âAll right,â I decided, motioning with my hand. âIâll talk with you. Lead the way.â
He offered me his arm, which surprised me again. After a momentâs hesitation, I took it, and we started off, his wolf trailing silently behind us.
He led me back into the palace, down empty halls swathed in ice and shadow. All the Unseelie fey were outside, dancing the night away. My footsteps echoed loudly against the hard floors; his and the wolfâs made no sound at all.
âIâve seen you,â Sage murmured without looking at
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