“And no, I didn’t kill her,” I growled.

  Piper crossed her arms over her chest. “Did she see you?”

  I shook my head. “No.”

  Ridge threw his arms in the air. “What are you going to do now? You’re supposed to kill the Winter bitch, not let her slip through your fingers. Our father would be pissed if he knew you’d thrown away the chances you had. If it were me, I wouldn’t have hesitated.”

  “And you would be dead right now,” I fired back. “The princess is a million times stronger than you. The only one powerful enough to defeat her is me.”

  I didn’t want anyone touching her other than myself. She was mine to kill. Out of all my siblings, I was the only one who could make a portal into the Land of the Fae. My mother was a full-blood, whereas Ridge and Piper’s mothers were only half. They had magic in them, but it was nothing compared to what I could do.

  “Are you going to make a move at the Winter Solstice Ball tomorrow?” Piper asked, her voice unsure.

  “No,” I answered her. “Tomorrow night is a test. First, I must make sure none of the royals can detect me.”

  Piper was never on board with my plans. But then again, she didn’t have the urges our father passed down to me. She wasn’t a killer. With my father’s power flowing through my veins, I should be strong enough to keep who I am hidden. Not to mention, we were Shadow fae. We could blend into the darkness.

  Ridge scoffed. “It’s a suicide mission. If they know you’re there, they’ll kill you. You’ll be vastly outnumbered.”

  “They’re not going to catch me. I have my ways.”

  Ridge grumbled under his breath. It was no secret he resented me for being stronger than him.

  “What was the princess even doing here in this world? And with your mother, for that fact?” Piper asked.

  I poured another glass of whiskey and brought it to my lips. “That right there is why my plans have changed. Instead of me making my move in the Land of the Fae, I can make it here. You’ll never believe what she is.” Ridge and Piper looked at each other, and I knew they’d never guess it. “She’s a Keeper,” I informed them, taking a sip of the liquor. “Which means that every time a fae is close to death, a Keeper will be close by.”

  Ridge smirked. “So, we need to hunt down some fae and hope that the princess is the one to help them cross over?”

  “Exactly,” I stated. And then she’ll be mine. The second those words echoed in my mind, I gritted my teeth.

  Ridge’s eyes narrowed and he groaned. “Oh, hell no. I recognize that look on your face, brother. You want that stupid cunt, don’t you?”

  My eyes instantly locked on his. “That’s none of your concern,” I spat. “If I want her, I’ll have her. But the outcome will still be the same. She’ll die by my hands, one way or another.”

  Piper stepped in front of me, holding her arms out between Ridge and me. “Okay, that’s enough, guys.” Then she turned to me, her eyes lit with fury. “Why do you even want to kill her in the first place? Our father was the villain, not her or her family.” It was as if she could see right through me. There was disgust all over her face. “You’re obsessed,” she seethed.

  I was.

  I couldn’t rest until I had Ella within my grasp.

  “What can I say?” I replied. “I’m our father’s son.”

  Neither she nor Ridge knew that our father had given me some of his power. It had warped my mind, consuming me. They didn’t know I was cursed with the same weaknesses that plagued our father. It felt good to give in to the desires, but the need to seek revenge grew more intense every time I did. That was what fucked with my mind. Before I even laid eyes on Ella, all I could think about was vengeance. Yes, I could feel my father’s lust for power, his desire for women, but that was easily quelled. I could have any woman I wanted. And now, my thoughts were only on the princess, but they weren’t all about spilling her blood.

  Ridge grabbed my bottle of whiskey off the counter and gulped down the rest. “All I ask is that you let me have a go at the princess before you kill her. I’ve never had royal pussy before.”

  Piper scoffed in disgust and walked out of the room. The thought of Ridge touching Ella caused me to see red. That wasn’t going to happen. I stepped up to my brother, unleashing my wrath so he could feel it.

  “You touch her, you lose a fucking eye. Got it?”

  Ridge’s jaw tensed and he glared at me, but he ended up backing down. “Got it.”

  A few seconds later, a door slammed down the hall and Piper marched into the living room with a bag slung over her shoulder. Tears streamed down her cheeks when she looked at me.

  “I’m leaving, Kai. I don’t know what happened to you, but when I took your side over Dorian’s, I thought I was making the right choice.” She snapped her eyes over to Ridge and then back to me. “But I was wrong. I should’ve stayed far away.” She thundered toward the door and swung it open, slamming it against the wall.

  “Where are you going?” I demanded.

  Without turning to face me, she angrily swiped at her cheeks, presumably to wipe away her tears. “As far away from here as I can get.” And with those final words, she walked out the door and didn’t look back.

  Deep down, I knew it should bother me that she left, but like always, my selfish desires were all I could focus on. Footsteps pounded up the front porch steps, and Draya, and two of my other brothers, Aric and Bane, walked in.

  Draya pointed out the door, her head cocked in curiosity. “Where’s Piper going?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” I hissed, stalking past her to my bedroom. I slammed the door behind me and pounded my fists against the wall. A couple of seconds later, my door opened and Draya’s summer scent filled the air. “I’m not in the mood,” I snapped. Draya came up behind me and started to slide a hand down my jeans, but I grabbed her wrist. “What about ‘I’m not in the mood’ did you not understand?”

  Giggling, Draya stepped in front of me, biting her lip seductively. She looked like a typical Summer fae woman with golden blonde hair and blue eyes. I’d indulged in her many times before, but she wasn’t what I wanted. “Oh, come on,” she begged. “You’re tense tonight. Let me loosen you up.”

  Draya’s father was banned from the Land of the Fae and died twenty years ago when she was twelve. She’d taken up with a group of dark fae rogues who now worked for me. Draya lifted on her toes to kiss me, but I backed away.

  “Get out of here. I don’t want you right now.”

  Draya scowled. “Fine. Let me know when you do.”

  She marched out of my room and slammed the door. Sitting on the bed, I closed my eyes, and again, all I could see was Ella. She was my only focus. Her magic was strong, pure, and unlike anything I’d ever felt. I won’t be able to rest until I take her body in every way imaginable.

  Chapter 6

  Ella

  To keep with the theme of winter, I chose to wear a glittering white gown with a crown of frost in my blonde hair. The only thing that didn’t go with the dress was my dagger, but I never went anywhere without it.

  A knock sounded on my door, and I knew who it was before I even answered it. I’d heard the horns blow a few minutes ago, signaling the elves’ arrival.

  When I opened the door, Iston was dressed in a silvery tunic with a silver crown on top of his head. The elves usually wore more earthy-toned colors, but I knew he was doing it for me, to show his loyalty to the Winter Court. He reached for my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently. However, there was nothing gentle in his heat-filled, sea-green eyes.

  “You look . . .”—he stopped and his gaze traveled down my body—“amazing,” he finished. “Do you think anyone would notice if we showed up to the ball a little late?” Then, wrapping his arms around my waist, he pulled me into his body, his lips warm as they brushed against mine.

  “Probably,” I said, clasping my hands behind his neck. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve missed you the past two weeks, but this is the Winter Court's biggest night of the year. It will be noticed if we’re not there on time.”

  Iston chuckled. “Yeah, I figured as much.”

  I slid my fingers through his ash-golden hair below his crown. When we were kids, his hair used to be long and silky, just like most of the elves. He was four years older than me, which put him at thirty-four in human years. We don’t age like ordinary mortals, though. If we lived to be five hundred, we’d still look like we were in our midtwenties.

  I kissed him one more time and latched onto his arm. “We should probably go.”

  His gaze dropped down to my lips. “And then, after the ball, we’re coming back here. You have no idea how bad I want you right now.”

  “Yeah, I think I do,” I teased. I could feel his hardness against my stomach. But I had a sinking feeling things would change between us tonight.

  Iston led me out into the snow-filled night, and I squeezed his arm. “Do you remember the first time we rode together?”

  I looked up at him and he smiled. “Of course. You were six and I was ten. You kicked my ass. I was not expecting to get outmatched by a girl.”

  Playfully, I nudged him in the side. “Yeah, but you got me back with a bow and arrow. I don’t know anyone better at archery than you.”

  We rode horses together all the time, and Iston even taught me how to use a bow and arrow; he was a master at it. But there came a time when our responsibilities demanded our attention, and we ended up spending several years apart. I had my duties to my family and the Hereafter, and he with his own family and the elvish army.

  However, things changed between us when he finally returned to the Winter Court to visit. We crossed the line between friends and lovers. But now, I had no clue what to do. My stomach clenched the closer we got to the palace. Before we faced everyone, I knew I needed to speak to him about his visit with my father.

  “Iston, I think we need to talk,” I said, stopping in front of him.

  His smile faltered and he sighed. “Why do I not like the sound of that?”

  Taking his hands, I held them firmly in mine. “It’s not bad, Iston. There’s just something we need to discuss.”

  He looked away and then down to the snowy ground. “Your mother told you, didn’t she?”

  “What? That you talked to my father last week?”

  His sea-green gaze lifted to mine. “I take it you know what it was about?”

  I nodded. “My question is . . . when were you going to let me know?”

  Letting my hands go, he slid his up my arms and rested them on my cheeks. “Tonight, after the ball. I was going to see if it’s something you might consider.” His eyes searched mine. “I want to be with you, Ella. You don’t have to give me an answer now; I’ll give you all the time you need. I know when we first got together, we said no complications. We can still do that if you want. I just want you to know that I’m all in.”

  I placed my hands over his. “Do you think you can handle the cold every day? You’re an elf, Iston. Your land is very different from here.”

  The elvish kingdoms were green, warm, and colorful with nature. It was the complete opposite from the stark snow-filled landscape surrounding the Winter Court.

  Iston kissed me and smiled. “I can for you. All I ask is that you think about things and let me know when you’re ready.”

  “What if it takes time?” I asked. “I know I’m not ready right now.” I could see the turmoil swirling in his eyes.

  There was a hint of a sad smile on his face and trepidation in his voice when he spoke. “Then it takes time, Ella. I’m in no hurry.”

  Music began to echo from the palace ballroom. Iston linked his hand with mine and led me up the stairs to the veranda and through the ice-covered doors to the ballroom. I didn’t want to hurt him, but at least I was honest. Hopefully, the answers will come to me soon.

  With a glass of faerie wine in hand, I sipped the blue, sparkly liquid as I made my way around the ballroom holding onto Iston’s arm. Merrick was by my side only no one could see him. Everyone smiled and bowed at Iston and me as we walked past. I even heard some whispers about how they expected marriage to come soon. All it did was add more pressure to the situation.

  After peering around the room, my focus landed on Aelfric, Iston’s father and king of the elvish kingdom, standing with Durin, the leader of the dwarves. Aelfric wanted me to get Iston’s attention, so I nudged him. “Iston, I think your father needs you.”

  He glanced over at him and sighed. “I believe you’re right. It’s probably business as usual.”

  “Tell him I’ll keep you company,” Merrick said. “I’m more entertaining anyway.”

  A snicker escaped my lips. “Keep telling yourself that,” I said in a low voice.

  Iston stood in front of me, his gaze narrowed curiously. “What did Merrick say?” Ever since we were younger, Iston had grown accustomed to having Merrick around. Merrick had watched us both grow up.

  Grinning wide, I shook my head. “Nonsense like always. He said he’ll keep me company and that he’s more entertaining than you.”

  Merrick winked and Iston snorted. “Keep it up, warrior,” Iston joked, looking right at the spot where Merrick stood. “And enjoy Ella’s time right now because once this ball is over, I don’t want you hanging around the cottage, if you know what I mean.”

  Merrick hung his head. “Trust me. I don’t want to see that.”

  I patted Iston’s arm. “You have nothing to worry about. Now go.”

  Iston strolled through the crowd and joined his father and Durin. “It’s a good thing I’m dead and can’t feel the cold,” Merrick teased. “I’m surprised Iston isn’t worried about his balls freezing off. His people aren’t used to the frigid temps twenty-four seven.”

  “He says he can handle it,” I said, looking over at him. “Guess we’ll see. I’m sure if we bonded, the Land of the Fae would change him like it does with all the other fae in the realm.”

  Merrick nodded. “True. It’ll be interesting for sure.”

  That is, if I went through with the marriage. Merrick’s gaze averted to something across the room and his eyes lit up. I didn’t have to turn to see who it was. The only person he ever looked at like that was my aunt Calista. He focused back on me, and I smiled at him.

  “Go. I know you want to be by her side.”

  Merrick winked. “I’ll see you in a little bit.”

  Once he was gone, I continued walking through the ballroom, saying my hellos to everyone in passing. The icy walls shimmered like crystals in the light while the snow drifted down from the ceiling. It never accumulated on the floor, which I knew made our Summer fae friends happy.

  For centuries, the Winter Court has always held a Winter Solstice Ball. There was a time, many years ago, when only the Winter fae were allowed to attend, but things are different now. The ballroom was filled with elves, dwarves and fae from all the courts. This year, the grand festivities were held in the Ice Court at my parents’ castle. One day I’d be able to host it in my own kingdom.

  “Well, if it isn’t my favorite cousin,” a voice called out from behind. Smiling, I turned to see Lia headed toward me with her two protectors always by her side.

  “Don’t let Carys or Shailyn hear you say that,” I chided playfully.

  Lia held out her arms, and I hugged her tight, breathing in her flowery spring scent. Her long, wavy red hair hung past her shoulders, and she looked exquisite in her silky emerald gown. However, the most striking feature of my Spring Court cousin was her amethyst-colored eyes. Her mother and twin brother were the only other two in the realm with the same color.

  After letting her go, I smiled at Bayleon and Bastian. They were her sworn protectors, twin brothers, and two of the sexiest men in all the Land of the Fae. They were part of the Tyvar, fae men who were cursed with the powers of seduction. If a woman looked into their eyes, they’d fall victim to their charms. They wouldn’t eat, drink, or sleep. All they’d crave was the Tyvar’s touch. Eventually, it’d kill them. Because of this the brothers had to wear a special type of masquerade mask over their eyes so no woman could look into them. However, the masks only made the men even more alluring. Luckily, Lia and all my female cousins were immune to their powers, and I was happy about that because they had the most beautiful midnight-blue eyes I’d ever seen on any fae man.

  Bayleon and Bastian hung back while Lia stayed at my side, lightly tapping her glass of faerie wine to mine. “So . . . were you talking to yourself a few minutes ago, or was Merrick with you?”

  I giggled. “Merrick’s here. You know he never misses a chance to come to these balls.”

  Lia smiled, but it was sad. “Is it hard on him seeing Calista with Ryder?”

  My uncle Ryder was King of the Fall Court. But there was a time when he was a Winter prince, vying for my aunt Calista’s heart, along with Merrick. Even though Calista cherished Merrick, her heart belonged with Ryder.

  I found Merrick across the ballroom, standing next to Calista. My parents and my aunts and uncles were all around, laughing at whatever was being said. None of them could see him, but they always knew he was there. There’s always a vacant spot beside Calista at every gathering so Merrick could stand with them.

  “No,” I said in all honesty. “He’s happy.”

  Lia nodded and her smile brightened. “Good. I’m glad to hear that.” Her eyes caught something across the room, and she snickered. “And speaking of happy. It looks like Marin’s having a good time.” I followed her line of sight to my best friend, who was in Owen’s arms, dancing around with him in her lovely silver gown. It was a beautiful contrast to her golden, shimmery skin.

  “Yes, she is.” I was ecstatic at how well they hit it off together.

  But then, someone else caught my attention. I glanced over at our cousin Shailyn who looked stunning in her flowing blue gown with her long, dark hair pulled back into a braid entwined with summer flowers. She was only twenty-three years old, the youngest of my cousins. Four men were vying for her attention, and it looked like she was thoroughly enjoying it by the delighted grin on her face.