No, you weren't.”“It was a spur of the moment. We were dying and you were being a chivalrous idiot.”“You loved it. You loved it so much that you were going to kiss me there.”“You are such a bastard.”Articles you may likeMastering Interview Preparation: EssentialShe pushed him, but he was so sturdy in his spot that she ended up unbalancing herself. All amusement left him as he bent forward to catch her, the relief sharp when his grip didn’t slip. He swung her back up, then pulled her legs around him to lock her in place. This time, she didn’t pull them away.“Stop falling for me,” he teased lightly, his hand coasting down her shivering back.“Stop looking at me like that,” she shot back, voice frayed. Tense.“I can't help it.”“Then help it.”He breathed on her cheek, then over her lips. He wrenched her even closer and took what those parted lips offered, a temptation that could no longer be fought. A gasp got stuck somewhere in her throat where his thumb caressed and her mouth o

“Oh.” She stopped in her tracks, touching his arm. “Mine too. I’m sorry. It never hurts less.”He nodded. “But they are still king and queen until we are of age, which we will be in a few years in magic terms. Technically, we don’t need to step in yet because the court runs itself when it comes to daily activities. It’s during wars, breaches, and huge political decisions that we have to exercise our command.”“So, there are trusted advisors?”“Bronco runs the castle in general and his sister, Jyss, plans the events. There’s another magic who runs interior domestic stuff and more who run individual things like the outside activities, the island security, the castle security, and trading—not that we do trading often. The Winter Court is known for being able to sustain itself.”“And being formidable pricks,” she said lightly. “Your court is one that no one wants to get entangled with.”He smirked. “Then we are doing a good job of maintaining our security. Anyway, any shift in the routine

How do you know Tru and why haven’t you told me about it?“Party. Late,” Yu announced again.Setting aside the nagging curiosity, Mabel sighed.“A late appearance makes for a grand entrance, but not where my sister is concerned—and we don’t want you two in hot water. Come on. Let’s give youAs far as banquets went, this one was grander than the one he was used to in his court, but far less intimate, as everyone was in attendance and the event spiraled from a warm welcome to just his folks hanging out in groups and eating their hearts out. He carefully selected plates of food for Brian and Yu, warning them not to accept food offered vocally by others. Her eyes lit up.“That’s in the books,” she said. “They say that once you eat a magic offered feast, you are magically bound to him and his home and can never find your way out.”“I’m sorry to burst your bubble, sweetheart, but we don’t need to offer you food for that. I’m just being cautious of poison and ingredients that might not sit w

Silence.“Do you have a suspect among them? Someone in line with your sister?”“No. And we haven’t proven that it’s my sister.”But his face said that it wasn’t out of the question, not when his sister was the one who could benefit the most from his disappearance. Her chest ached. Her family had always been her most dependable anchor, the ones who would never betray her despite their differences. That he might not have that with his sister…Don’t get emotional.“Where have you been, anyway?” she asked casually.“I just had a little errand.”“Your sister was looking for you. I don’t think she was pleased that you left before she could talk to you.”“Talking with my sister involves hours of her discussing ways to improve our court, complaining about our court, and nagging me about my…not-so-tame habits.” Light danced in his magenta eyes, then sobered. “Why did you leave the festivities?”“I wanted to explore.”“I see. Here.”She looked down at his extended hand, expecting him to either

Thank you for your honesty.”“You’re welcome. What were you doing when you weren’t sleeping?”Watching over the halls and the rooms. Making sure Yu didn’t leave. Longing for a witch, who had probably slept so well and didn’t spare a thought in his direction. It was laughable how he only thought of her, and even the idea of stroking himself to images of their interaction in that alcove felt hollow compared to what could have been. Jealousy had been a nasty bastard keeping him aching as he remembered—and envisioned—over and over again how she looked on that ship deck while her pirate fucked her thoroughly. The ache had become unbearable when he recalled his trysts, too, and all he could see was her, with her head thrown back and her voice calling his name.You promised her. Keep your promise.“Just reexploring the court. It doesn’t matter. There’s no event today and I can catch up on my sleep.” But the way Alan reacted had him frowning. “Unless there’s an event today that I forgot about