Page 44 of Reaper’s Curse

“Right. Got it.” He escorted me to my room in silence, left me in Neive’s care.

And as with Lucas, I exchanged minimal words with Neive as the lady’s maid saw to it that I ended the day with a full belly and a fresh set of sleeping clothes. Clothes that appeared borrowed from another, but I wouldn’t argue. Neive turned down the bed and finally…finally…left me in peace.

A cyclone of rage tossed chaos through my soul, and I didn’t understand why, nor could I identify the source. But for now, staring at the awaiting bed, I didn’t care to indulge my thoughts and emotions any further. I was ready to give my mind the rest of the night off. Shut myself down and get lost in sleep.

Slipping between the cool sheets, I laid my head on the pillow and closed my eyes. A knock snapped my eyes back open. Winter stood in my bedroom doorway.

He grinned. “I’ve come to extract more of the magic holed up inside of you.”

13

What had I been thinking, welcoming Winter into my bed…again?

Doing so would not…would not…become a habit.

Such action went against the queen’s request, and more importantly, messed with my “don’t get involved” motto. Yet here I was, and oh how Winter’s touch filled a need…a desire, even. Dragging the cold from my blood and replacing it with a slushy, inviting warmth.

And no matter how much magic he pulled from me, more always waited to be inhaled by his savory extraction. As if the magic bubbled free from some hidden source within me.

His lips, his breath coasted along the curve of my neck and across my cheek. My body reacted of its own accord, arching into the exploration of his hands, opening unto his awaiting kiss. Wanting, begging for more, more, more.

Was the internal drive coming from me, Winter’s magic, or a combination of both?

Despite the ache I felt when his hand brushed along the curve of my ear, or glided up my thigh to my hip, I managed to keep the barrier of clothing between us and instead got lost in the wintery taste of him. Kiss after kiss…after long, delicious kiss.

We had been through a lot together in the short time we’d known each other. And, well, I liked him, took comfort in his presence. Definitely found him attractive…alluring.

But at the end of the day, he was a royal prince, and I was a reaper. Our worlds would never mix, and we would never be destined for anything long term.

Still, we could have this…for however long it lasted. I was happy, and rather lucky, to have him at my side while holed up in what could too easily become a gilded prison. One laced in ice, if not for his help. Help that lulled me to sleep.

A rather deep, dreamless sleep, considering the many things that plagued my thoughts―Aldine’s death, Chace’s situation, the Killian's nearby presence, my blood-sealed deal with the queen, and the expectation to discover the curse’s cure.

I awoke refreshed to the sound of a shuffle and a muffled cough. Morning light cascaded through the balcony glass doors, and I was, once again, sprawled beside Winter in a tangle of limbs, my head resting against his chest. His even breaths were a metronome by which to set the tone of my day. With his white hair, white lashes, and alabaster skin, it was as if I cuddled with a living statue.

A second muffled cough drew my gaze. Neive stood in the bedchamber doorway, her eyebrows raised. Two days in a row she’d found us this way. Thank the death gods―once again―no articles of clothing were missing from either my or Winter’s bodies.

I covered a yawn and pushed up onto my elbows. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

Or was it?

Was I allowing my sense of loneliness or overwhelming fear of failure in the task to get the better of me? Could Winter’s magic be influencing my choices? Or was I merely allowing myself to selfishly enjoy moments I knew I shouldn’t?

“I have no doubt, my lady.” Neive bent her knees in a courtesy and tipped her head. “Breakfast will be delivered within the hour. I shall draw your bath.”

She crossed the room and disappeared into the bathing chamber.

With a sigh, I shook Winter awake. He grumbled as I pulled him from the bed.

“It’s morning. You need to go.”

He moved slowly, less sluggish and more reluctant. “Trying to get rid of me so soon? I know you enjoyed our time together.”

“Stop it.” I shoved at his back, pushing him toward the receiving room. “What happened was helpful and necessary, but not―”

He spun and yanked me into his arms. Pressed his forehead against mine. “My magic still grows inside of you. You’re like my own personal rechargeable power source. But there is something new simmering inside of you. Something I haven’t sensed before, and it feels dark and delicious and wholly dangerous. We shall explore that something other again soon.”

He nipped at my ear, pulled away, and turned to leave.