Page 140 of Reaper's Quest

Fine by me. I needed information from her if I stood a chance of locating whatever key we needed to end the reaping curse plaguing this citadel so that we might set the collection of souls back on track.

“Shall we?” Winter held his arm in waiting.

I accepted, and with arms linked, we strode from the room and into the outer hall. Folding his free arm across his body in my direction, his finger traced tiny designs near my elbow.

Sunlight glistened through the floor-to-ceiling crystal-cut glass windows at our side, the light fracturing, sending colors to dance across the ground, the walls, our bodies.

With all the time spent in the tunnels and then healing Winter, had close to twenty-four hours passed and a new day dawned? The prospect was highly possible.

I marveled at the way the colors flirted with his pale skin and frosted hair. He looked like a work of art. A stained-glass window I wanted to ogle for hours on end. I could easily get lost in the male’s beauty. And yet, I shouldn’t. I couldn’t. The queen would never stand for it.

I forced myself to look away. The reality that the queen had seen Chace, knew who and what I was, became a plague upon my thoughts.

She might very well know where Chace was being held. I needed to get to him. Save him.

“The queen said something to me that has me wondering,” I said.

“What is that?” Winter continued his gait without a hitch.

I wiggled my fingers and nibbled on my lower lip. “Is there a chance that Chace recently met with your grandmother?”

Winter’s forward motion paused, and he tilted his head. “Not that I am aware of.”

He could be lying. But…from all that I’d come to know of him, all that he had done for me, I believed he told the truth.

I nodded. “So, where do we go now?”

Because I’m tired. That tiny nap was not nearly enough, and a bed married with peace and quiet sounds like the best thing ever.A mental recharge so that I may better think and plan.

“Hmm.” Winter wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me snug against his chest, dropping his lips within inches of my own.

So close. Too close.

Surprise crackled like lightning through my veins, and I inhaled sharply. His blue eyes warmed, and his breath washed over me like a crisp winter breeze, awakening my senses. And, oddly enough, reminding me of Chace’s gum.

“What if I asked you to indulge the savior complex you accused me of having?” Winter said. “Allow me to see that every inch of you is safe and cared for.”

The beat of my heart may have stilled in that moment. What did he mean by “every inch?”

“Your Highness, pardon me.” A young messenger quickly approached, and Winter took a step back, granting me a much-desired moratorium.

He turned to greet the messenger, and the man passed the prince a fold of paper.

“Your presence has been requested.”

Winter unfolded the paper and scanned the message. He glanced up from the note, an inquisitive look upon his face. “Now?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Immediately.”

Winter winced. “I prefer not to leave Raven?”

“Worry not, my prince,” the messenger said. “I shall see that your lady is escorted safely to her destination.”

A low growl vibrated in Winter’s chest as he turned to face me. “I don’t want to leave you. Not fond of the idea at all. But when the queen summons…”

“You must answer,” I supplied.

“Yes. That’s how it works.” He took my hands, lifted them to his lips, and pressed a kiss to my skin. “I will return to you as soon as I can.”