Summer's Snow Bonus Chapter (Spoilers!)

Hey everyone!

Below is the Bonus Chapter from Summer's Snow, included in all the hardcover editions. It's from August's point of view from the first four chapters, from the moment he and Nic meet until she overhears that conversation he has with Julian. I decided to include it here too, for anyone that is not able to get a hardcover version.

Warning: there are implicit spoilers! Not exactly what happens, but August is deft at observing who the true villains turn out to be...

I hope you enjoy it!

Someone was outside.

It wasn’t anything I'd heard or sensed, but rather a feeling. I went to the window, discreetly peering through a crack in the blinds. A female with a scarf wrapped around her head and face was in the alleyway testing doors and windows, growing frustrated as she found them locked. Whoever she was, she was quick and remarkably silent on her feet.

“Hey, I think she came this way!” A male voice shouted, heavy footsteps coming closer from around the edge of the building. By the sound, there were at least three of them.

The faerie, she couldn’t possibly be human with that preternatural stealth, steeled her spine, going still instead of frantic as the males neared. She was either well trained or had been in a similar situation before. Her fingers twitched as if she was considering reaching for a hidden weapon, but instead, she crept to my door, the only option she hadn’t yet tried.

I flipped the lock. A gamble, but only the nobility would recognize my face in this country. My curiosity won out.

Finding the door open, she darted inside, her gaze still on the alley. After closing the door with a nearly inaudible click, she stepped back—directly into me.

She jolted in surprise as I wrapped my arms around her, my hand covering her mouth in case she gave herself away.

“Shhh,” I whispered into her ear as I looked through the crack in the blinds just as four male high fae came into the alley’s dead end, one nursing a rapidly swelling hand. With a flick of my hand, I cast a silencing ward around the room to hide us from the ears of the males and my companions.

The female remained still but tensed as I held her. She smelled like winter—amber and freshly fallen snow. After a minute, the voices outside faded as the males took their search elsewhere.

“I think they’re gone,” I said, releasing her mouth as I turned her toward me. My hands remained on her arms as I looked down at her. Her clothing was plain but well-made. A very good thief, then. I wondered what had gone wrong to cause her to be caught.

She peered up at me, and I was struck by dark brown eyes framed with thick black lashes set in a pale face, her scarf hiding everything else. Her eyes burned as they met mine as if alight with some inner flame.

Her pupils dilated as she assessed me, and I wondered if she could have somehow known me—if we’d met before. But we couldn’t have. I wouldn’t have forgotten eyes like these—eyes that then narrowed.

“Great, now you can get your hands off me,” she said as her hands pushed against my chest. My grip tightened in surprise.

“That’s all you have to say…not even a thank you?” I smiled as she tried to shrug me off. She snorted wordlessly.

“What were you doing running from them? Caught stealing?” I said, needing to feed my growing curiosity. Still, she remained silent, looking at me through those untrusting eyes. “The evidence suggests so. Running, hiding in alleyways, face covered—what did you take?”

“Enough, prick. Time to let me go before I make you.”

“So ungrateful—”

She struck with her heel, coming down on my instep. The other knee drove into my gut as she used her hands around my neck for leverage, knocking the breath from me. The move took me by surprise, and she escaped my grip as she ran for the door. I reacted quickly before she could undo the latch, grabbing her forearm to keep her from escaping.

The female turned, slid, and twisted under my arm, coming up behind me and kicking the back of my knee so it crashed to the floor. My kneecap throbbed from the impact but didn’t feel like I’d broken it in the fall.

I reacted quickly as she ran for the back door, which would only take her deeper into my hidden townhome, snagging the back of her shirt. She’d been more skilled than I’d expected, but she no longer had the advantage of surprise. Pulling her off balance, I braced her against the wall, each of her hands trapped in one of mine. I used my larger body to press against her, effectively blocking any more movements.

“Well, that wasn’t very nice. I just saved your life, little thief.” I said as my heart raced. Excitement thrummed in my veins from her challenge.

The female’s eyes burned somehow brighter at my words.

“I didn’t steal anything. Some males just can’t take no for an answer,” she snarled. “And I would have killed them all before they touched me, so no, you didn’t save my life. You just saved the alley from being painted red. I neither need nor want your help, and if you don’t let me go in the next five seconds, what was nearly their fate will become yours,” she said as she struggled against my grip. But no matter how skilled she was, she wouldn’t escape my hold.

My head whirled at her words. Some males did try to take what was not freely given, their small minds and pride unable to comprehend rejection. My blood boiled as I wondered what they’d done to her. I briefly considered finding them myself later. They wouldn’t be difficult to track by their stench, and I had ample downtime before tonight. But then I remembered how one cradled his shattered hand and nearly smiled. No, she didn’t need my help. If she’d chosen to, with the way she moved, they wouldn’t have stood a chance.

“Ah, that explains the one nursing his hand,” I said. “And I’m sure you’d try your hardest, sweetheart, but you couldn’t kill me. Besides, it looks like I have the advantage now.” Though it would be one hell of a fight. I smiled at the thought.

Right on cue she tried to thrust her knee into my groin. I blocked it with my thigh, wedging it between her legs to further restrict her movement. “Saw that one coming—fool me once and all—but I would rather you not try that again. I’m very fond of those parts.”

She clicked her tongue in reproach.

“But I will make a deal with you,” I said. “I will let you go if you give me your name. It’s not often I’m given such a challenge. It’s…exhilarating.” I should have been more concerned with how fascinating I found her as she clearly felt the opposite.

“Go to hell,” she hissed. Quickly twisting her arm, she temporarily broke my grip, fist aiming for my jaw. My forearm blocked her, pinning her arm down by her side.

“So aggressive.” I pressed my lips together to keep from smiling. I admired her tenacity.

I wondered how lucrative her life was here, if I could convince her to join my council, The Seven becoming Eight. A horrible idea in actuality, based on how I was already much too intrigued. And those eyes—

She looked at me like I was insane. Maybe I was.

“Come on, sweetheart—”

“Call me that one more time,” she spat.

I smiled and leaned closer, unable to resist taunting her further, “Sweet—”

She struck, headbutting me. I should’ve seen her attack coming. She’d set me up perfectly.

My nose crunched on impact, undoubtedly broken. My grip loosened, and she took her chance to pull away. But as she pulled back, her scarf slipped, catching on my shirt. I lunged for her again and froze.

She had been telling the truth. This was no thief.

That face.

Same and yet different from the demi-fae that had once saved my life—Diana Sancrista. She and her sister, Alesia, hadn’t bothered to hide their disdain for my father during the war, for me by association, but Diana had saved me, anyway. And I couldn’t help but respect them for their honesty in how they felt toward my father. Their judgment had been correct after all.

The fates had a cruel sense of humor. Of course, this was her daughter, the Briar princess. Not the golden-haired one my brother fancied himself in love with, but the other—the icecaster. The Seven and I had discussed her not an hour ago.

Nicole.

She ran for the door to the alley and I made no move to follow. I would see her again soon enough.

I leaned forward, reaching for a dagger that had fallen to the floor in our scuffle. It was remarkably plain, only distinct by the hilt fashioned into swan’s wings, but I recognized its composition. I had several Galorian silver weapons, but this wasn’t one of them. It must have come from her.

That certainly wasn’t how I’d pictured meeting one of the Crown Princesses of Hahnaley. I flipped the blade in my palm, its weight and balance perfect, as I wondered what she was doing in the city in disguise and if she did this often. These activities of hers hadn’t been in our debrief earlier.

I would find out tonight.

***

My brother and I entered through the towering wooden doors of Hahnaley’s palace with the other citizens. Climbing rose vines and other florals filled the space. Water softly cascaded from the walls.

I’d wanted no announcement as the other royals would surely have, my desire being to remain discrete for as long as possible. An easy task until the nobility arrived as Julian and I had left the crowns and other royal insignia at home.

We clung to the edges of the ballroom, waiting and observing.

Courtiers and civilians alike mingled in the great hall. High fae, faeries, humans, even some nymphs and goblins were in attendance. They flittered around excitedly, expectantly. Every one of them seemed at ease as they milled about. I was glad to see Adrienne hadn't had too great an effect on the West since Dominic's death.

I still felt some guilt for not attending that wedding to warn him, but by then it was too late, Adrienne had sunk her claws too deep. So I'd planted spies, sending Simon with Sena to make the connections with the staff. I waited for any proof of Adrienne's treachery, of what she had to be planning, but found nothing tangible, nothing I could go to Alesia with. And then the funeral…I couldn't bear to see Adrienne there, crying snake's tears, when it was so likely she'd brought about Dominic's death to make herself queen. I had no proof of my suspicions, she didn't have the Mark of the Traitor. But I knew…somehow she'd done it, had found a way to work around the magic.

After some time the music softened, everyone in the ballroom going silent as the ornately carved doors at the top of the grand staircase opened. From our place along the wall, Julian and I turned toward them. Alesia Sancrista and her mate Eve Kamati emerged, Hahnaley’s Commander and High Healer, descending the steps hand in hand.

Something in my chest clenched at the sight of them. One hundred years later and still so obviously in love. To have found each other amid the war and ruin, I wondered if they knew how rare it was.

Moments later, she appeared.

The silver of her dress clung to her like water. Her skin sparkled, gleaming like frost at sunrise, and that long black hair hung down to nearly her waist. A silver mask obscured half of her face, but her dark eyes shone unimpeded as she walked, spinning a blood red rose between her fingers. She moved down the steps like a wraith—a dream.

“Can you blame me for my infatuation now brother?” Julian chuckled, breaking my stare, his eyes were on the princess clad in pink and roses at her side. He’d assumed mine were too. I hadn’t realized the other Briar was there.

The twins reached the bottom and made their way to the dais. Adrienne and Alexander Deimos followed after.

I watched as she was greeted by courtiers, civilians, and the Shaws. Nicole met them warmly but stiffened almost imperceptibly as they went to embrace her, uncomfortable with the closeness of others. I wondered what had made her so guarded even around friends and allies.

Julian, unable to keep himself from his Briar any longer, clapped me on the shoulder. “Wish me luck, brother,” he said as he left our spot along the wall.

Nicole, ever watchful, noticed him first, her face lightening in recognition. My chest constricted as she looked genuinely happy to see him. It took a second for her sister, chattering to Nicole excitedly, to notice her sister’s gaze.

When she realized who approached, Misha went still, from shyness or hesitation I couldn’t tell. She’d been exuberant with the Shaws and the other courtiers but appeared more reserved with Julian. I noted it as something to watch. I couldn’t leave my brother to have his heart shattered if her feelings were not equal to his.

The first dance began, Julian taking Misha’s hand, and Nicole was led to the floor with Evander Shaw. The male was charming, I could give him that. Everyone that met him liked him—at first. But he’d tried to cheat and swindle enough of my merchants that Shai had him banned from doing business with Montevalle. He'd sensed his insincerity easily, even without the use of his magic. And while the produce from Desdemon was nice, we didn’t need it. They did however need our metal ores if they wanted to make their farming tools and weapons. Orelia assigned a different ambassador to us afterward.

As the song ended and Evander walked away, Nicole turned and headed toward the edge of the room, taking a glass of citron wine from one of the servers with a smile of thanks. She had been quiet, reserved on the dais, but in her interactions with those she knew well the princess wasn’t nearly as cold as others had claimed her to be.

Nicole walked off alone, and I took my opportunity. When I neared, she paused as if she'd sensed me coming.

“There you are, sweetheart.”

She froze.

“Or should I call you, princess?” I accentuated her title. She turned, facing me fully, immediate recognition on her face. Even beneath the silver mask, her expressions were clear. Her eyes communicated everything.

“I believe you have mistaken me for another,” she contradicted, regaining that icy mask she was so good at wearing—except it didn’t quite fit. Nicole stepped around me to head back toward the ballroom floor.

I followed, unable to let her walk away. “Oh, I don't think I have, Nicole Maria Sancrista Briar.”

Still, she kept walking, ignoring me at her back.

“I helped you this morning and you still can’t give me a moment of your time. Or maybe it isn’t you…” I went on as I followed after her. “Although I found something in my room after you ran off that was rather interesting, a deceivingly plain dagger…but I guess if you aren’t her, I will have to keep looking for its owner. I would hate to return it to the wrong person.”

Nicole stopped walking.

“Ah, now I’ve gotten your attention.” I smiled as she whirled on me, eyes blazing.

“You attempt to hold women captive, and now you’re a thief? After you so wrongly accused me of being the same?” She hissed.

“I will admit that was uncharacteristic of me,” I said, and meant it. I shouldn’t have held her there, no matter how intrigued I’d been, but I couldn’t come to regret that I’d done so.

“Fine, you found me…now are you going to give it back?”

“I will, but I would like to dance with you first.” The words slipped out, unable to stop myself. Clearly, an issue where she was concerned. I'd only meant to talk to her, tell her who I was, and now I was pushing for more. I wanted to know how she felt when she wasn't fighting me.

Nicole glared back. “Absolutely not.”

“I saw the gleam in your eyes this morning, sweetheart. You certainly enjoyed fighting with me—scared you’ll enjoy dancing too?” I couldn’t help pushing her, wanting to watch her eyes flare again.

And they did, beautifully. “You’re right. I certainly enjoyed the crack your nose made.”

“Such sweet words you whisper.” I moved my hand to my chest as if her words had warmed my heart. “I offer a compromise. We dance, and as penance, I will let you step on my feet as much as you wish. Then I will give you the dagger back.”

“You do realize this is extortion.”

“Maybe.” It was, but if it got me what I wanted, I didn’t care.

Nicole hesitated, considering my offer. After a moment, she conceded. “Fine.”

I didn’t care to hold in my smile as I offered my arm. Nicole took it but quickly looked away as I led her onto the dance floor, avoiding my face.

I took her hand in mine, feeling the calluses there—the marks of years of training with weapons. I knew Dominic Briar and Alesia Sancrista had trained her and her sister well, but it still surprised me.

Nicole scowled as my other arm snaked around her waist, drawing her into me. I enjoyed taunting her too much. Teasing her was like playing with fire. I would likely get burned but was addicted to the thrill.

We began to dance, moving in unison with the other dancers as she let me lead her. She moved perfectly, effortlessly. I’d seen water-born nymphs with less grace. And the way she felt—

“Why are you so good at this?” She said accusingly.

“Practice.”

Her eyes rolled at my non-answer. I smiled, but before I could give her a proper response, the sharp point of her heel hit the arch of my foot. I exhaled in pain. Nicole smiled then, a gloating one, but a smile nonetheless.

“There she is,” I hissed, gripping her waist tighter as we kept dancing without missing a step, but her breath caught ever so slightly. Trying to ignore what that small reaction of hers had done to me, I said, "I’ve unfortunately been to quite a lot of balls.”

“What reason does a back alley creep like you have to attend balls?”

A laugh erupted from me, relief that she didn’t know who I was—that I could pretend with her a bit longer.

I should have told her before it was too late, but I didn’t know how she would feel once she knew, and I feared it wouldn’t be the same. The shared history and politics of our families complicated too much.

“I will tell you if you tell me why you were out in the city, disguised and causing so much trouble this morning.”

“No,” she said sharply. “How did you recognize me?”

“Your hood slipped and your face is…distinct,” I replied. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. She’d deduced I wasn’t from Hahnaley, but couldn’t piece together how I’d recognized her or why I was here. My time with her like this was dwindling.

In the silence that fell between us, I felt her press her body into me as we turned, as if seeking my stability for balance—a distraction.

“I don’t have the dagger on me, sweetheart. I wouldn’t be so foolish to bring Galorian silver here where anyone could snatch it off me.” My eyes dropped where her other hand had drifted beneath my jacket.

She leaned back, putting distance between us again. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I almost regretted calling her out for her search.

“Oh, you don’t? Then I must assume you weren’t searching for it and instead can’t keep your hands off me—you are more than welcome to continue.” I smirked, and she scowled. “You know, for someone who denied being a thief this morning, your hands are rather deft.”

“Are you ever in your incessant prattling going to tell me something useful? Like your name?” She said, growing frustrated. “You know mine. It’s only fair.”

“I didn’t expect you to be so curious. Warming up to me, sweetheart?” I teased, our eyes locking again.

“No,” she bit back, responding a bit too quickly. She was curious. The air in my lungs stilled.

After a moment, I broke the silence. “I guess I should tell you my name. You are going to find out, eventually.”

Her eyes met mine again, confused, as the song finished. We came to a stop, but I still held her. She hadn’t moved away just yet.

As those dark eyes burned into mine, I wondered if anyone that called her cold had ever really known her. Nicole might at first glance appear that way, but as she looked at me now, it was clear her soul was aflame.

“My na—”

“There you are,” Julian interrupted as he and the other Briar walked toward us. Nicole and I each dropped our arms as we turned to them, my hand that had been holding hers now empty. I flexed my fingers to dull the sensation.

Nicole went still as she realized Julian had been addressing me, not her.

“Brother, I wanted to introduce you to Misha and her sister, Nic, but I see you’ve already met.” Julian nodded toward her.

I didn’t look at Nicole. I knew what I would see on her face. Surprise. Shock. Then anger.

“Misha, this is my brother, August,” Julian continued, informally introducing us.

I greeted her with a bow. “It’s a pleasure. I’ve heard wonderful things from Julian.” The princess smiled, a slight blush appearing over her golden skin. She was ‌more shy than her reputation hinted—the renowned golden beauty, the bold but amiable princess.

She was stunning, with long golden hair and blue eyes. Her features were like Nicole’s but favored their father. I could understand my brother’s infatuation. But if Misha Briar was the sun, I found myself drawn to the moon.

I looked back at Nicole. She looked between us, piecing together the similarities, particularly the eyes my brother and I inherited from our father. We didn’t share many other traits, each favoring our respective mothers, but the resemblance was there if you knew what to look for. Her expression was carefully neutral, but her eyes hid nothing.

And in them, I saw that by withholding my identity to hold her for a moment—I’d lost her.

Noticing our gaze, Misha looked between her sister and me, “How did you two—"

“Would you mind if I stole my sister away for a moment?” Nicole interrupted, turning toward my brother.

Julian nodded and smiled politely, “Not at all.” He gently squeezed Misha’s hand before letting it go.

Nicole gripped her sister’s arm and walked toward the edge of the room, tugging her along. I watched her go until they were swallowed by the other revelers.

“Well, that was an interesting surprise, brother.” Julian chuckled. “Want to tell me what that was all about?”

I turned to him, “You recall this morning, the intruder?”

“Yes, but what does that have to do with—no, it couldn’t be.” My brother’s eyes widened before he laughed, throwing his head back. “You are telling me that Nicole Briar was running around the city this morning, getting into fights, and breaking your nose in the process?”

I remained silent, and he laughed again, gripping my arm as if to support himself. “I would have thought that a princess sneaking out would have tried to be more discreet.”

“I think that was her plan until one of the males assaulted her.” My anger flashed again ‌at the words. “She gave them what they deserved.”

Julian was now the quiet one, assessing my demeanor. At only twenty-four, my brother was much younger than most of the fae and even humans in attendance tonight. But as much as people were enthralled by his charms and easy humor, they often never saw how eerily observant he was. He could lull anyone into a false sense of comfort, leading them to spill their secrets to him without ever realizing it. The sharpness in his eyes told me I’d made the mistake of doing the same.

“Sounds like the injuries she inflicted on you are the least of your concerns from this morning, brother. Interesting.”

“It is interesting that one of the Briar princesses was out in the city this morning,” I returned to our original topic. “Our spies have consistently told us that Adrienne does not allow them out except for formal tours. I wanted to know why.”

“Yes,” Julian’s eyes kept their edge. “I’m sure that’s all you wanted. Good luck with that, brother. I’ll leave you to the pursuit of your interests.” He smiled before walking away to find his golden-haired princess again.

I walked away as well, circling the edges of the ballroom.

Nicole and Misha had found their aunts, the latter talking animatedly. Eve seemed amused, Alesia less so. After a few minutes, Nicole, perturbed, walked away. I moved toward her, but as I neared, one of the Hahnaleyan courtiers approached her for a dance.

Removing my mask, no point in hiding now, I found a glass of wine, finishing it as I waited for the waltz to conclude before I approached her again. I caught up to Nicole as she walked away from the male, uninterested in more. I smiled to myself as the male looked desolate at the rejection.

“Nicole.”

“August.” She said my name like a curse. Even though I hated the way she said it, something in me clenched at her use of it for the first time.

“You’re angry,” I noted. Justifiably so.

She ignored the obvious statement, stepping around me. Though she was angry, I was relieved that my identity changed nothing in how she addressed me—maybe I hadn’t completely lost her.

“To be fair, I was in the process of telling you who I was before our siblings interrupted us.”

“No,” she growled. “Fair would have been telling me when you first approached me tonight. Or better yet, this morning when you recognized me. What were you even doing in the city, anyway?”

“The Crown Prince of the North, August Warin.” Adrienne Deimos interrupted with a wide smile. “Though it is King now, isn’t it? My apologies,” she purred.

I watched Nicole stiffen, shooting me a look to keep my mouth shut about how we’d met. The princess and her stepmother seemed at odds—intriguing. I returned Nicole’s look. I would keep this morning to myself.

“Adrienne,” I said coolly, inclining my head toward her.

“We were greeted by your brother earlier, such a charming young male, but no sign of you,” Adrienne went on. “It made me think you’d decided to skip another of these Blood Treaty celebrations. I am thrilled that is not the case, but I was disappointed we didn’t have your formal greeting.”

She meant, why hadn’t I come to acknowledge her on her new throne. But just as I refused to recognize her royal title, I would never bow to her.

Nicole went even more still at Adrienne’s words. I felt the air cool around her as if her magic was cresting, but she held it back. I wondered what had happened between them.

“I was otherwise engaged,” I said dismissively, hinting at her to leave us.

Adrienne eye’s hardened before looking between the two of us. “Such a long time it’s been. Pity none of us were invited to your coronation. Fae royalty so rarely changes.”

“Indeed.”

Little did she know there hadn’t been one. I would not make a pompous show of my new role, not when I’d had to overthrow my father to gain it, ending him in the process. I took my place as king only for the people of Montevalle and my family, not for any personal ambition. It was something she could never understand.

“Well then, I do hope you enjoy your evening. I’d hate for this to be the last time you grace us with your presence.” Adrienne smiled sharply, irritated by my curtness. “Nic.” She nodded, finally acknowledging her stepdaughter.

Nicole repeated the gesture but remained silent as Adrienne left.

I watched her walk off, making sure she was out of hearing range before I returned to our conversation. “How could I have told you who I was this morning? You ran off before I had the chance. Also, it’s…complicated.”

“Fine—let’s uncomplicate it. We’ll pretend it never happened.” Nicole turned to walk away, again. My hand twitched as I considered reaching for her but decided against it.

“Nic, I brought drinks.” Misha joined us this time, walking over with Julian, a petite glass of elderberry liquor in her hand. I eyed my brother as his eyebrows raised, amused by my irritation at another interruption.

“Misha, you don’t drink alcohol,” Nicole said, confused.

“Of course not. It’s for you. Looks like you could use it.” She smiled conspiratorially as Nicole glared. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who had shared the story of this morning. Now I felt myself yearning to know what she’d said.

“Fine, give them to me.” Nicole took the drink, finishing it in one go. Julian handed her a glass of wine, keeping the other. “Thank you,” she said, taking a sip.

“None for me, brother?” I asked, my irritation redirected. I couldn't care less if he’d brought me a drink.

“You are more than capable of getting your own glass, brother,” Julian responded, humor in his tone.

I almost regretted how much time I’d let him spend with Shai learning other’s emotional tells, but I loved who my brother had become, how quickly he challenged me. As a child, he’d been meek, constantly on edge in my father’s house, always fearful. It had taken a lot of time and training for him to become who he was now, and I couldn’t help but be proud.

I held in my smile as I walked toward one server, leaving them to talk. As much as I wanted to continue with Nicole, I knew my brother wanted time with her as well, to get to know his love’s sister. Not only to win her good favor and consent for the relationship he hoped to gain with Misha, but in a genuine want to know his intended’s family.

As I left, I glanced back at Nicole, our eyes meeting. I wasn’t ready to drop our conversation yet. Her own flashed in challenge. She would not make it easy on me. I looked away as my chest tightened, eager for the pursuit.

I watched from the corner, claiming a spot near the thrones, as Evander and Gemma Shaw joined them. The youngest was animated, friendly. Evander demonstrated the charm and faux humility he reserved for his parents and the other royals—a mask like the golden wings on his brow. In truth, he behaved as if everything he desired belonged to him, and he looked at Nicole like she was already his. My anger flared as she smiled back at him.

Evander appeared to be baiting Julian, wanting my brother to fall for his tricks, to make him seem like the son of Josiah. But my brother remained impassive as he spoke. Julian knew about the trade disagreements with Evander and could see through his tactics.

Julian politely inclined his head to the group before joining me in the corner.

“What words did he use to bait you?” I said as he reached me.

“The usual underhanded comments, questioning our participation in the Treaty events and the Hunt. He used an example of our father’s bravado. I think he wanted me to defend him, to make it seem as if I excused his behavior,” Julian said as he took a drink.

I snorted, Evander was a fool. As much as the other royals thought they hated Josiah Warin, it was nothing compared to what his sons felt.

“Let’s get some air,” I said, unable to watch Nicole smile at Evander again.

Julian and I walked out, eventually finding a deserted side balcony away from the crowd where we were unlikely to be overheard.

We kept our conversation easy, light. Because many of the guests now knew who we were and a silencing ward would seem too suspicious, Julian and I coded our language as we discussed our spies in case someone approached us. Simon, Shai, Miranda, and Damian remained at the townhouse in case we needed them.

As we fell into silence, I pondered Miranda’s vision again, the rise in power she’d seen at the end of the treaty events. The easy assumption was the twins’ birthday on the last night, the Summer Solstice. At twenty-two, they would begin their ascent into the height of their magic. She’d also seen conflict, which now appeared to be between Nicole and Adrienne. The tension between them tonight was palpable.

I considered the possibility that the rise in power might not only be the princesses, but Adrienne. Based on how she reveled in her title as queen, she would surely be displeased with having to give up the throne this time next year. I wondered if the Shaws suspected the same. Orelia and Cedric had remained abnormally close to her and her brother, Alexander, during the ball tonight. They didn’t have the dislike toward Adrienne the Sancristas had during the war, but neither were they friendly with the Deimos. They, of course, could have grown closer over the last century, but I doubted it.

“So, the Briar princess, are you still serious about her?” I said, turning to my brother as he looked out over the gardens. He’d been nearly glued to her side all night, and she to his.

“Since the moment I laid eyes on her ten years ago, brother. She is the most divine creature I have ever seen.” My brother beamed as he talked about Misha, his voice laced with devotion. He believed himself in love with her since they’d met ten years ago as children, even more so after their letters.

“Beauty tends to blind, brother. The princesses are young, untried, and have been surrounded by influential fae. It would be wise to discern which of those has impacted them. Which carved them most in their image,” I cautioned.

The golden Briar was undoubtedly beautiful. Still, I remained wary of how she felt, if she returned my brother’s love. I also considered Adrienne’s influence on her, though Nicole appeared impervious to her mindcasting influence, so Misha likely was as well. Surely Alesia had ensured they were well trained before Adrienne entered their home. But even if Nicole didn’t appear influenced by Adrienne’s charms and beliefs, it didn’t mean Misha wouldn’t be. If Adrienne had affected her in the past ten years, I wanted to know.

“As you did for me?” Julian chuckled in response. “I’ve already seen all of Misha’s darkest parts. Nothing you or I discover about her could make me shy away. And something tells me she would refuse to be anyone’s whetting stone. Nor would her sister—those eyes are much too cunning. Though I think you know that as well as I do, brother, with how you watch her. Tonight has been quite an unexpected turn of events. I didn’t think anyone would ever catch your eye.” My brother's gaze sharpened on me, probing.

I snorted. “I wouldn’t say that, though she is…intriguing. She has more spark than one would think with her reputation for coldness. It is surprising, really—like no one who spoke of her really knew her at all.”

“You have a lot to say about a female you claim hasn’t caught your attention,” Julian spoke his suspicions aloud.

“What I have to say does not mean that my interest is lasting. She is still proud and unreasonably arrogant for her youth and inexperience. Any interest I find in her will pass by the time we return home.” I refuted his claim, even if I didn’t quite believe the words.

It would take a long while before I could unsee those dark eyes that seemed to burn with an inner flame. And though Nicole leaned toward pride over humility, even in her inexperience, I wondered if it wasn’t unfounded. I would be curious over the next few days to discover just how clever she was, how well-trained she and her sister were by their aunts and father. There was a reason Dominic Briar led the High King’s armies for so long, and Alesia Sancrista and Eve Kamati were formidable in their own right. The twins, as their proteges, were surely just as skilled.

Julian chuckled. He didn’t believe me either. “There is nothing more I would love than to see you proven wrong, brother.”

“You should return to your princess. You could be collecting more of her smiles instead of wasting time out here with me,” I said, done discussing her.

Julian wordlessly gave me a clap on the shoulder, taking my advice.

A chill ran down my spine as he walked away, like we’d been watched. Stepping off the terrace, I followed that feeling toward the gardens but found no one.

Instead of returning to the ball, I headed to our rooms, a suite in the eastern wing where all the royal guests resided. Julian planned to confess his feelings to Misha tonight, and I would leave them to it.

Walking, I pulled the blood red rose Nicole had been carrying from my pocket, bringing it to my nose. The bloom had its usual floral smell, but clinging to it was also the scent of winter—of amber and freshly fallen snow.

Of her.