Frost Kisses (Bitter Frost #4: Frost Series) Read online

  “I can stay here in your arms forever,” I said. “But it seems there is so much I must do to restore the Summer Palace and begin anew with the peace treaty.”

  “It's time to start,” Kian sighed. “The work of restoring Feyland may yet never be finished, but we must try...”

  “Restore Feyland?” Last night, we hadn't talked about politics or kings; we had only given in to our love and desire. The harsh reality of the renewed war came upon me all at once, like the blaring of an alarm bell. “Kian, what's happened?” I thought once more of him standing above the defeated Summer soldier and my heart felt sick. “The war...the peace treaty...Delano was right. He had been telling the truth about Winter and Summer again at war.” But I knew what his answer would be. I didn't want to hear it. “Kian – is the peace gone?”

  He lowered his head and shook it, his eyes grave and dark. “I'm so sorry, Breena,” he whispered. “I'm afraid Winter blames you for having allowed the siege of your men, and Summer believes that we are responsible for not one but two assassinations – the Summer Queen Redleaf, and now you. I don't know if peace will ever be possible now.”

  “That can't be!” I almost shouted aloud. “Not after we've worked so hard....” My voice trailed off. “So, they think you've killed me, is that it? They think you were just some spurned lover, killing the woman who betrayed him?” Hot tears stung my eyes. “How could they think you would let anything get in the way of peace? Even I, who saw you stab me, knew there had to be something...that it couldn't have been you!”

  “I was stupid,” said Kian. “If I hadn't left the Great Hall, whoever it was would never have been able to glamour into me...everyone would have seen the real me! But I left you, and that imposter was able to take my place! Despite my protestations, I cannot prove it was not me who stabbed you. Even the Winter Queen and all of Winter believe so.”

  “I know who it was,” I said.

  “Wort!” Kian's face darkened with anger.

  “No, not Wort.” I put a hand on his shoulder. “Kian, it was Delano.”

  “The Pixie King!” Kian's eyes blazed with anger – like twin blue flames staring out at me. Delano had nearly killed Kian, while he was his prisoner. “I should have known. Nobody could be that insidious, that capable of deceit. He's always been our enemy; we were fools to ignore him.”

  “Who else is alive?” I asked quickly. Then I lowered my head, not wanting to let Kian look into my eyes. “Is Logan okay?” my voice was low, barely louder than a whisper. I didn't want to make Kian any more jealous, but I had to know. Was my friend still alive? Was Logan, the man I was engaged to under Wort’s spell, there?

  I saw the jealousy in Kian's eyes, but he refused to alter the stony expression on his face. “Yes,” he said softly. “He is still alive.”

  “I' m sorry,” I cut in. “I had to ask....”

  “No, I understand. He was – is – your friend.”

  “He doesn't know...” I said, sighing, “that what we had was only a result of a spell.”

  “Only?” Kian raised his eyebrow. “I think Logan's cared about you even before he drank that potion.”

  “But he doesn't know that our engagement, that it was all a lie!” I sighed.

  “Oh, Breena,” Kian whispered, holding me close. I felt his soft breath close against my shoulders, like a warm breeze filling me with love. “It's all gone so terribly wrong. And I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't more understanding with you, about what had happened to you, the confusion you must be feeling when you realized that you'd been placed under a spell. Only once the news of your death had reached my ears was I able to take control of the dark emotions that overtook me when I thought that you'd chosen Logan, was I able to think clearly through my pain. And I knew then what a fool I had been not to be there for you at that moment. My guilt, my shame, my pain: I thought they would destroy me! I wasn't sure I could survive without you. I went into battle, seeking out death at the hands of my enemies, and instead I continued the cycle of war, so deep was I in despair!” As Kian spoke, I saw tears – sparkling and iridescent – forming in his bright blue eyes.

  He looked into my eyes and saw the tears rolling down my cheek, and then his tears began flowing, too, transforming into infinitely tiny snowflakes as they hit the ground. My tears followed his, streaming slowly at first, and then faster, watering the earth.

  Then, where my tears had wet the ground, I saw budding with impossible speed a single flower, a snow lily. I jumped up in surprise. “What the...”

  Kian couldn't help but laugh through his tears. “I suppose you really are a fairy now,” he whispered. “Really and truly.” He stroked my hair. “Your magic is exceptional. I have never seen anything like this before, except last night – the combination of Summer and Winter magic. Where I make frost, you make flowers.”

  “I feel like I've died,” I said. “And come back as somebody else. I'm me, and I'm not me.”

  “Whoever you are,” said Kian, “I love you more than ever, Bree. You’re still the same Bree who stole my heart. You hold in your hands my heart, my soul, and my very being. You are already the Queen of my heart, my love, my true love, my only love.” He kissed me gently.

  “I can’t get enough of your kisses, Kian,” I sighed into his chest.

  “I wouldn’t mind showing you how frost kisses are done again,” Kian said so low and deep, so softly that I leaned in closer to hear him. As I leaned in close, he grabbed my arms and pulled me into an embrace that had every part of me against him. I felt his heartbeat against my ear, and I felt his cool breath against my hair.

  “I promise you, Breena,” said Kian. “For you and for my family – for everyone I love – this war has got to end. And we will be together at last…you will be by my side forever my queen, and I will be by yours forever your king!”

  He led me to my horse and helped me into the saddle before jumping on alongside me. He wrapped his arms tightly around me, kissing the back of my neck as he stroked my hair out of my face. His touch was light and soft; I never wanted to leave it. “With my life, Breena,” he was murmuring into my neck. “The future is ours!”

  I gave the horse a light kick and then we were off, galloping through the fields and forests of the mountainside, coming closer and closer to the fairy lands.

  Chapter 9

  We rode for hours, galloping and trotting over unfamiliar rivers and through high mountain passes, trying to find our way out of the pixie dominions. At last the landscape began to change – the trees became lusher, more beautiful; the animals of the wood began to stop and stare at us with preternatural intelligence. We were in fairy territory; Kian and I both felt the call of its magic in our blood as the cold, barren world of the pixie kingdom gave way to the rich red forests and beautiful arctic snowdrifts of the Autumn Lands, where Summer technically had power, but where plenty of Winter magic remained.

  “How long have I been gone,” I asked Kian as we rode through a forest of flame-colored trees. “How long have they thought me dead?”

  “Evenings and mornings have run together since I lost you, Breena,” Kian sighed. “But I'd guess it would be about seven days in your world – long enough for chaos to start.”

  “Then I need to get back right away,” I said. “I need to get to the Summer Kingdom, to make sure everyone knows I'm alive.”

  We passed the Autumn lands, so majestic in their fertile beauty, and began riding through more familiar territory. I knew these hills – so ripe with autumn fruits and vegetables: pumpkins, squash and gourds all grew the size of boulders here, the colors of the harvest brilliant and alive. This land was the former Summer Queen Redleaf’s Autumn lands…now part of Summer. I felt proud of the budding fruits and harvest found here, where life abound. But the pumpkins and tree-trunks were all dappled with silver alongside the golden sunlight, a viscous substance I recognized immediately. Fairy blood. “There's been a battle here,” I whispered.

  “The blood is fresh,” said Kian. “This ca
n't be more than a few days old.”

  So this battle was the consequence of my death, I thought. If I hadn't been gone, then this never would have happened. We would have had peace – we would have had happiness in both kingdoms at last. I looked down in shame. How had I been so stupid as to let Wort get the better of me?

  Kian saw my downcast expression. “You've done more for peace in this land than anyone,” he said, putting his hand to my cheek. “Don't blame yourself. It is not your fault. Wort and his Pixies have integrated themselves into the Summer Court long before you became Queen, Breena. This mess with the Pixies was there before you. We'll fix it – I promise.”

  “That blood...” I whispered. “It's like my blood. These are my people – I feel this connection to them.”

  It was now Kian's turn to look ashamed. “Summer blood,” he said, looking around. “In the heat of battle, I had not recognize this place, but now I do. I was at this battle...” He did not finish his sentence, but I knew what he was thinking. He had participated in this skirmish. He had killed some of those Summer Knights. “It was here that your voice...came to me. After your death, Winter and Summer again clash in battle, and I was to lead the Winter Knights in defending against Summer. Breena, after your death, your people wanted revenge, wanted Summer to avenge the death of their Queen. Winter fought in defense. I didn’t mean to kill anyone – they besieged me, had I not been faster with my sword it would be my blood there now.”

  I loved Kian, but I also loved my Summer denizens. “Kian,” I said. “I don’t blame you for anything. I understood what happened. It is true, if my Summer Knights did not attack you, you would not have to defend yourself.” I said to him. “We'll both try even harder for peace. It's got to happen – it's just got to! It's not your fault. But we have a long way to go. We both know that.”

  We dismounted the horse and went over to the site of the battle. We both cast our eyes downwards, whispering prayers for the fallen soldiers, Winter and Summer alike.

  I was shivering. There was so much blood around us…silver blood that leaked like a river glistening in the sun. I looked away.

  Kian touched my shoulder, his caress full of tenderness. “I’m sorry for my part in this, Breena. I would do anything – whatever it takes – to make sure that our children never have to suffer and risk their lives the way these soldiers have done.” He took my hands, bending down on one knee. Silver blood stained his trousers, but he didn't care. He looked up at me, his eyes full of light and love. “Just tell me what to do to earn your love. Your passion, your love, your trust, everything.”

  “Just love me,” I said. “And help me. That's all I ask. Believe in me – believe that together we can do this.”

  “I do that already,” said Kian fiercely, his eyes shining bright with the force of his passion. He leaned in and kissed me softly, and then with greater passion. “I love you with all my heart, Breena, the Queen of Summer and of this Winter Prince’s heart. For all those who died here, loyal to the kingdom of Summer and Winter, your deaths were not in vain! We will seek the peace our kingdoms deserve…that Feyland deserves.” He gripped Breena’s shoulders. “We were very close…so close to achieving it, Breena. We cannot lose hope. We will not be tricked by the likes of Delano or Wort ever again!”

  At the name of Wort, we heard a familiar chuckle behind us. Too-familiar. We both whipped around, only to find the toad-like pixie himself leering at us. He was at the head of a band of five Pixies.

  Of course! I gritted my teeth. Delano had promised with a pixie oath not to follow me with his men, but he hadn't said anything about Wort. I knew Pixies weren't to be trusted – even when making oaths. They were too tricky for that.

  “So it was true,” said Wort softly, almost amazed. “You did have the Winter Snowflake on you. Delano wasn't lying. Lucky for him, I suppose. He's the one who cares about keeping you alive. He wouldn’t have gone through with stabbing you, if he didn’t think you could be brought back. I, on the other hand, would be happy to run you through with a sword. Guess he thought he still has a chance with you.”

  Wort jumped off his horse, landing on the ground lightly. His pixie men did the same, leaping off with a grace unlike the Pixies Breena had seen at Delano’s castle. “You know, he is only half-pixie. Had everyone fooled, but I know. He’s got fairy blood in him, which explained his weakness to you, Breena. His slight madness, when it comes to you. Pity he is the favorite son of our father’s who took a fairy for a concubine and made her son Delano, the King. For that, we never got along. And because of that…I do not like fairies.”

  “What do you want, Wort?” My sharp voice put an end to his ramblings. “You and Delano already killed me once. It's not going to work again!”

  “They say fairies are immortal,” Wort scoffed. “I'd like to test that theory.”

  “Just because your half-brother might be a fairy bastard, you hate fairies so much?” I snorted. “Bad childhood, Wort? Well here’s news – get over it! You've already got what you want, haven't you? War! Bloodshed!” Kian lay a warning hand on my shoulder and I forced myself to calm down, as much as I wanted to run Wort through. “Well, you're responsible for this, Wort. All this death,” I gestured toward all the silver blood around the land. “If it hadn't been for you, Redleaf would never have been manipulated into starting this war, into imprisoning my father....” My anger rose up within me. This one man – how could he be responsible for so much evil? My rage grew hot within me, and I could feel orange sparks flaring like fire-kindle from my fingertips.

  Before I could stop it the flame had shot straight towards Wort, searing a hole that went clear through his arm. He let out a gurgling scream of pain. “Attack!” he shouted at the other Pixies, who rushed forth, brandishing their swords.

  It was now or never. Kian raised his sword, and I clutched my own, concentrating all the force of my magic into the sword handle, praying that I would be able to cut a clean swath through the band of Pixies that was approaching us. Kian's sword flashed blue and silver, emitting indigo sparks as it shone and slashed backwards and forwards. The Pixies' swords clanged against Kian's and my own, sending a horrible sound echoing throughout the sky.

  “Get back!” Kian cried, slashing furiously.

  We both retreated slowly, attacking all the while. Kian had managed to run one of the Pixies through with his sword, but there were still four men left – four of what were evidently the best Pixies Wort had on hand. And Wort was fighting too, even as he clutched his left arm in agony.

  “Stop!” I cried, as Kian stepped back.

  We realized, almost too late, that the leaf-covered ground gave way quickly to a sharp precipice, a precipice that not even a fairy could survive. There was nowhere else to retreat to. We'd have to fight – or be captured. Three of the Pixies rounded on us, staring straight at us with eyes that glowed gold and green. But where was the fourth?

  “Kian, no!” I shouted, running to him to block the blow, but it was too late. The fourth pixie had snuck behind us and had stabbed Kian straight through the shoulder. A spray of silver blood burst forth from Kian's arms, staining me and my armor.

  Kian stopped in shock. His lips parted; his eyes grew glassy in their silver sheen. His sword seemed heavy all of a sudden – it teetered, and then fell from his shaking hands. Kian stumbled forward, wrenching his body clean of the sword. And then he fell back....

  “No!” I rushed to Kian, trying to grab him back from the precipice, but it was too late. He had lost his footing, and then I too lost mine, and we were both falling together, sliding through the muddy leaves and then over the edge of the cliff, and there was nothing beneath our feet but air.

  “No!” I screamed, as my feet kicked into shallow air. Kian was in my arms now, his head drooping low, and together we fell even faster: a single loaded weight falling with the speed of a bullet down, down, down towards the ground. I closed my eyes tight, not wanting to see the ground grow wider and closer before me...

 
And then I felt a jerk, and the falling stopped. I was moving, now, but it felt as if I were moving upwards, buoyed high by some invisible force. I opened my eyes. There were Kian's wings, iridescent and blue, flapping above us as we made our way home. His face still looked pained, and his silver wound was gaping, but I could see Kian's jaw set tight with effort: he would not let us fall; he would fly us to safety.

  “You're hurt....” I whispered. “Kian!”

  He gritted his teeth, and the flapping of his wings slowed and strained. “I can't hold on much longer,” he murmured, groaning with the pain. With a final burst of effort, he flew us down in a slow, graceful dive towards the earth. “When I say let go, let go!” His wings slowed to a stop as we lowered ourselves above a meadow of soft, sweet-looking grass. “Now!”

  I unclasped my arms from around his neck and fell with a thud – painful but far less agonizing than the fall from the cliff would have been – into the patch of grass. Kian fell alongside me, his wings barely breaking his fall. We tumbled over each other down a narrow hill, and then landed squarely at the side of a sparkling pool.

  When we had stopped rolling, I sat up immediately, going over to Kian and feeling his pulse. His face was whiter than usual – it was the pale color of death. Kian was wounded, and in this state he was severely weakened.

  “I have to heal you again,” I whispered. “Use whatever Winter power I have....”

  “See,” Kian gave a weak laugh – even in this weakened state. “Aren't you glad I gave you that snowflake?”

  “It comes in handy,” I muttered, placing my palms on his chest. A combination of blue and orange light glowed from my fingers, entering his body and illuminating the wounds. The silver of his blood reflected the shining colors – the metallic blue of Winter and the bright, ripe orange of Summer. His wounds began to heal – slowly, at first, and then all at once – and then Kian lay before me as beautiful and as whole as I had always known him.