Frost Kisses (Bitter Frost #4: Frost Series) (14 page)

I considered Logan alongside the other werewolves. At their head, it was true; he did seem less human than he did before. I had always seen Logan as an affable best friend, a charming – reliable figure that could always be counted on to do the right thing. Even the Wolf I had so often seen Logan become had been a figure of stability to me.

But it was different now. Seeing Logan lead this army of half-men, half-wolves, who seemed no less dangerous with their weapons and their armor than they did with their teeth and their snarls, Logan seemed stronger, somehow, more powerful. He was not merely the loyal best friend I had come to take for granted. He was a prince in his own right, strong and brave, with a life I had never even heard about despite knowing him almost my whole life. How could I not have known about his grandfather, or about his promise to wed a fairy woman? How could I have known that behind the soft, kind exterior, beneath those warm brown eyes, there lay this stalwart warrior, whose resolve was only matched by his power? Logan's face had never seemed more alluring to me then, when it was set against the opposition – his jaw clenched and his dark eyes blazing as images of Balthazar danced across his brain. His body had never seemed more powerful. He had never seemed more dangerous.

I was almost afraid to speak, lest I awaken the wolf within him. That loyal dog had become in my mind a dangerous beast, like these other majestic beings. He had let me ride him, but it became increasingly clear to me as I watched the werewolves march that any woman who tried to ride on a werewolf's back unbidden would very easily risk becoming their dinner.

I thought back to the nights of passion Logan and I had shared under the spell. My memory was fuzzier than it had been – freed by time from the prison of my fantasies which had haunted my dreams, off and on, for so many nights since Kian had broken the spell – but I still remembered Logan's strength, Logan's passion, his kisses… Looking at him now, in the context of his wolfish clan, it no longer surprised me as it had done that first night, when I expected friendly affection and got his fiery ardor instead.

Perhaps, I thought sadly, trying not to let Logan see my face, it was better that Logan had kept me in the dark about his Wolf side up to now. The last thing I needed was any distraction from my love for Kian, and the sight of so many stunning werewolves marching in unison, their muscles so prominently on display was, to say the least, distracting.

Logan sauntered up next to me. “So, you see – you've gotten to know the Wolf clan at last,” he said.

“They're certainly...interesting.”

“You think they'll bite?” Logan gave me an affable grin, but I couldn't help but perceive the slight flirtation behind it.

“It's ridiculous,” I laughed. “This whole time knowing you – and I never knew...”

“That I commanded armies? That there were more like us?”

“No, I knew that... I mean, once I found out about the werewolf thing... I just didn't really think about it. So much was going on right then, you know? I didn't really just sit down and think about what life must be like for you. What being a werewolf was like?”

“Is this what you expected?” Logan gave a little laugh.

“Well, it's certainly more... primal than the Summer Court.” Two of the werewolves had stopped for water, and had gotten into a tussle over the first taste, an argument evidently solved by wrestling each other by the riverbank – like two overgrown puppies.

“I suppose it's not as refined as what you're used to with Kian!” Logan looked down quickly, realizing that I'd said too much.

“It's a nice change,” I said. “I'm not worried about Court etiquette and negotiating diplomacy.”

“Just about being eaten!” Logan let out a hearty laugh, one that it was all too easy to join in.

“You're joking, right?” I just wanted to make sure.

“These wolves are loyal to me,” said Logan. “But don't go sitting in front of the noses of any rogue wolves...”

“Wasn't planning on it,” I said, putting my hand on my sword. “Next time I'm in front of those wolves I intend for them to be far too terrified to worry about dinner.”

“That's my girl,” Logan clapped me on the shoulder.

His hand lingered a moment too long, and we exchanged a glance – fleeting and full of meaning – before hurriedly springing apart.

“Sorry,” Logan mumbled.

“Sorry.”

We had by now reached a plateau in the mountain range, which led into a deep cave that gaped open at us like the mouth of a snake. The wolves all stopped short, and I gathered that this was the lair that we had come to seek. Two men – by their long hair and furry chests I guessed werewolves – were standing guard.

“Hey, what the...” one began, but it was too late! Logan sounded the battle-horn, and instantly the entire pack of wolves was bounding forward, their teeth bared, all aiming squarely at the throats of the two glaring guards.

“Let's go!” Logan cried, leading me by the hand as we rushed past the warring throng and into the cave. A number of guards rushed at us, but two wolves of our number leaped forward, holding them off.

“There he is!” I caught sight of Kian, tied with his hands behind his back at the edge of the cave. His face lit up as his eyes caught mine, and I felt a palpable sense of relief. I may not have been worried about Kian dying, but at least I knew he was not in any pain or danger.

“How dare you!” roared a voice. I turned to face Flynn, the cold Winter knight who had tried to kidnap me mere moments upon my entrance into Feyland. I hadn't liked him then, and I didn’t like him now.

“
Queen
Breena,” Flynn nearly spat the words, so great was his contempt. “I should have guessed you'd get your brood of puppies to do your dirty work for you!”

“At least I don't hire mercenaries to get the job done!” I raised my sword. “These are my allies. They're fighting for more than just pieces of gold.”

“Always the idealist, my Queen,” said Flynn. “Wort was right about you. Delano never should have risked trying to keep you alive – no pretty face is worth as much trouble as you've caused.”

“I'm assuming you wouldn't know,” I said, clenching my teeth. “Then again, your ugly mug explains a lot. I'm assuming you're another half-breed pixie!”

Flynn stopped short in mock-offense. “Now
really
Breena,” he began. “You do me little credit. I'm the most noble, most loyal knight in all the Winter Court. I loved the old Winter King…” He scowled. “A rare thing, when even his own wife and son are willing to concede peace to you Summer cowards!”

“As opposed to letting our citizens die in a needless war?”

“If the Winter King were alive, he would punish his son for this ridiculous love! It's true what they say – love makes fairies go mad! No self-respecting King would stand for this – now even the Winter Queen's gone soft!”

“She wants to stop needless deaths!”

“Like my brothers?” Flynn scoffed. “Whom your men killed – are you telling me they died in vain?”

I looked down. I had no answer for him, and this made me ashamed. I had hoped to find in Flynn only a despicable villain, but as I looked at him I knew he was sincere. Flynn may have been power-hungry and cruel, but my people had made him suffer.

“We didn't start this war,” I said softly. “It's not ours to fight.”

“But it's yours to continue – until it has run its course! We Winter fairies are not cowards enough to run – we are happy enough if this war ends with our destruction. Happier still if it ends with yours!”

With that, Flynn raised his sword and, before I could react, rushed straight at me.

Chapter 15

I
dodged, but I wasn't quick enough. With a loud clang, Flynn brought his sword down inches from my feet, bringing the flat side of the sword down against my thighs. I crumpled to the floor, overwhelmed by Flynn's force. “Summer bitch!” he hissed at me, his eyebrows twitching with the force of his hatred. “The blood of all my brothers, all my men – it's on your hands now!” I tumbled backwards, edging myself along the floor as he raised his sword for another blow. Ignoring the throbbing pain in my legs, I sprang to my feet, rushing behind a boulder that stood at the edge of the cave: the only shelter I could hope for.

“Logan, help!” I cried. He and the other fighters had by now transformed back into their wolfish forms, and everywhere there was a struggle. Enormous wolves with huge teeth were savaging each other to death; with them in their animal forms, I couldn't see which of them was on our side and which rogue. I gulped, seeing Flynn raise his sword once more.

I reached for my sword, trembling under its weight. Fear made the thing seem heavier than it ever had before. “Not so fast, Flynn,” I cried. I brandished my sword, and met his blow with mine. My hands shook from the effort; my shoulders ached, yet I knew I could not back down. I would not allow this man to get between us and our dreams – the dream Logan, Kian and I shared of a land of peace. We dueled for a while, our swords clashing with impossible force, but I knew with terrible certainty that I could not sustained the hand-to-hand combat. Flynn was easily twice my size, and while I could take him out with magic, there was no way I'd be able to concentrate hard enough to produce any kind of force while Flynn was rushing at me with his sword. I tried, but only sparks of blue and orange emitted from my fingers – stinging him like embers without stopping his resolve.

“Oh no you don't!” I heard a howl, and then Flynn was toppled by an enormous figure, with matted fur and teeth that sank straight into his shoulder. Flynn gave a loud yell as Logan pressed his snarling muzzle into his rival's face.

Serves him right, I thought, taking advantage of the distraction to get to Kian. He was still languishing in the corner, tied up tightly with twine and rope. I grinned when I thought of the fairy bonds with which I had trussed up Balthazar. Next to that, getting through these ropes seemed downright easy. I grabbed hold of the dagger I kept in my doublet and cut swiftly through Kian's ropes. His hands came loose with a gasp of relief, and he flexed them with joy.

“I knew you'd come, Breena,” he whispered, pressing my hands with his. “I felt your presence before I saw you!”

“Take my sword!” I pressed it into his hands. “I'll be fine with my dagger.”

I wanted to rush into his arms, to kiss him and promise him my love. But there was no time for that. Around us there was only fighting, and while Logan had initially managed to press Flynn into the earth, he was now distracted by two more rogue wolves that had jumped, biting and snarling, onto his back. “Go on!” I shouted to Kian. “We have to get out of here!”

Flynn had clambered by now back to his feet, and his eyes fell upon Kian with disdain. “So,” he scoffed. “The Winter Prince is reunited with his love! But not for long – I guarantee you both that! I shall live to see you executed as the traitors that you are!”

“Stop, traitor!” Kian cried out in his clear, ringing voice. Even after being kidnapped and beaten, Kian still had the dignity and bearing of a true prince, and even the rogue wolves stopped short in their tracks to listen to his commanding voice. “I will give you one chance to surrender honorably, to the authority of the Winter Court you claim to serve!”

“The Winter Court was your father, boy,” cried Flynn. “And he is dead. You are no true scion of Winter! Maybe your mother had a little fling with a human rat...just like your little love's father did!

“How dare you!” I cried, my face growing hot with anger, but Kian remained cool and calm.

“Nevertheless,” Kian said softly. “I will not allow you to insult me or my family – or my kingdom – by your actions. Submit to me, and I will show you mercy. This is your last chance, Flynn. Do not be stupid or foolish! Prove your loyalty once and for all!”

“Never!” Flynn's laugh turned to a cackle. “I'll see you all burned alive, I'll see the plains of Feyland stained silver, before I surrender to a weak-willed Winter whipping boy and his Summer bride! No blood-traitors for me – if Winter will not stand strong, I will take over Winter, and be sure that we conquer our enemies – Summer or Winter, whoever stands opposed to us.”