What kind of trouble had she gotten me into this time? Being friends with Wren wasn’t a choice for me; I was like a moth drawn to the flame, completely unable to stay away. But it sure did come with its share of consequences.
I waited outside the palace door with absolutely no interest in going inside but knew staying away was out of the question. Ignoring a summons from the queen was a surefire way to get yourself into hot water—or worse.
“Are you ever going to enter?” A light voice asked.
I glanced over to see Genevieve, Wren’s much younger sister, peeking at me from behind a fir tree. “Are you ever going to stop spying on me?”
“Are you ever going to tell my sister you love her?” Genevieve tugged on her long, blond, side ponytail.
“Ok. That’s enough of this game for today.”
“Come on. It’s a fair question.” She climbed up on the ice-covered wall and took a seat. Most people would be freezing, but not Genevieve. She had ice in her blood.
“Speaking of Wren, do you know what she did to get me summoned here today?”
“What makes you think that’s why you were summoned?”
“Is there ever another reason?” If it weren’t for my friendship with Wren, I’d have stayed well off of the queen’s radar. That would have been a far safer place to be, but also a far less colorful and enjoyable one. Wren got me in trouble, but she also made me feel alive in a way no one else could. Especially when we kissed. It had been one kiss, a drunken one at that, but she’d tasted even better than I imagined. And the spark? It had been off the charts. Sometimes we build things up so much we get disappointed, but not with Wren. And I could only imagine what sex with her would be like.
“Of course there could be another reason.” Genevieve swung her legs.
“As in you know something you aren’t telling me?”
“Isn’t that fun?”
“Fun isn’t the way I’d describe it.” I stared at the doors again. I’d been summoned plenty of times before, yet I was dreading it more than usual this time.
“Well, either way you should probably get inside. You know how my mother gets when she’s kept waiting.”
“Yes, I know all too well.” I had enough problems. But if she didn’t want me there because of some trouble Wren was in, what was it?
I took a few steps toward the tall double doors, and they slowly opened for me. There was nothing magical about it. The two guards waiting just inside had undoubtedly been watching and waiting for me to finally decide to enter the giant marble and ice palace. They said nothing as I stepped inside. I’d been inside that palace nearly as much as the residents.
“You don’t mind if I come with you, do you?” Genevieve followed along beside me.
I looked at her. She had the same long hair of her sister, but otherwise they didn’t look all that alike. Their personalities weren’t all that different though. Wren had been quite the spitfire herself at that age— and to be fair she was still one hell of a spitfire as an adult.
“You live here. Who am I to stop you?”
“Live here or not, you don’t have to want my company.”
Genevieve was playing with me. She knew, as well as I, that I had no authority to tell her to leave me alone. The heir or not, she was a member of the royal family and demanded respect no matter how young she was.
I walked down the white marble halls of the palace. The walls matched the floor, and when paired with the crystals hanging from the ceiling gave the impression of walking through a hall made of ice, even though the inside wasn’t actually frozen. The whole palace was that way save the princesses' bedrooms. Those were bright and full of color.
I’d walked these halls countless times, often with Wren, but by myself plenty. Yet I was never fully comfortable there. It was probably because it was designed to be that way. Cold and intimidating. It was one of the few places where I felt intimidated. As one of the few wolf shifters in the court, there were not many who would cross me.
“Enter.” Esmeralda, the Queen of Winter Court, bellowed as soon as I reached the entry to the throne room. She was always able to sense you, to see you instantly no matter where else her attention had been.
I did as she ordered. For nothing the queen said could be interpreted as anything but an order.
I walked in, stopping midway from the dais. I bowed my head as was customary.
“Thank you for coming, Frost.”
Thank you? The queen never thanked anyone as far as I knew. “Of course, my queen.”
“I am sure you know that Wren has been spending time in the Spring Court.” There was no question in her words. I generally knew Wren’s whereabouts, although I didn’t always know her timelines or plans. She was much more of a spur of a moment type than I’d ever be. In that way it was strange how our friendship started. Maybe she liked my more rigid personality as a foil to her free-spirited one. All I knew was that I’d fallen in love with her before I even knew what love was.
“Yes. With Lacey.” She’d said she missed her friend, but I knew she was hiding out. I got it. We all needed a break sometimes, particularly those of use with the level of pressure Wren had. I just hoped the prolonged nature of the trip had nothing to do with avoiding me after our kiss. I needed things to be okay with us. I needed her in my life.
“But she has sent word that she is returning.”
“Oh. That’s great.” It was more than great. I’d missed Wren like crazy. Just the thought of seeing her did things to my body. Things that thoughts of no one else could do.
Esmeralda’s violet eyes brightened. “I have an assignment for you when she returns.”
“An assignment?” Whatever the assignment was I’d have to take it, but that didn’t mean I was going to like it.
“Yes. An important one. But it is top secret. You can tell no one.”
“Not even Wren?” I told Wren everything—well, most things. She didn’t know quite how deep my feelings ran for her.
“You will tell Wren at the proper time.”
What? I was supposed to keep a secret from her? Trick her? But I had no choice. “Yes, my queen.”
“She needs to find a mate.”
My chest clenched. I knew that reality just as well as everyone else, but that didn’t mean I was ready to face it. Deep inside me hope grew. Could it be possible? Could the queen view me as a suitable mate for her daughter?
“And not just any mate will do,” Esmeralda continued.
“Yes, my queen. It must be a wolf shifter.”
“Of course. But even that isn’t enough. It must be someone who can help us form an alliance. Times are dangerous. We need allies.”
“Oh.” My small ember of hope was extinguished. Not that I truly believed she’d suggest I mate with her daughter. I may have been a wolf shifter, but I wasn’t highborn. And if she wanted an alliance with another court, I couldn’t provide that either. I was a winter wolf, even if not by birth, as my parents had moved to the court when I was a pup,
“Yes, my queen. What is the assignment?” I was trying to figure out how any assignment could relate to Wren mating and why in the world that would have to be kept secret from Wren herself.
Esmeralda leaned back in her metal throne. “You will take Wren to the other Courts and find her a mate.”
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I struggled to remain standing. It was one thing to accept I could never have Wren for myself, but to have to help find her a mate? “Do you truly believe I’m the right choice for this?”
“As I said, she trusts you. That trust will go a long way. And I know you can keep her safe.”
“Are you truly concerned with her safety?” If she was, how could she have allowed Wren to be out traveling now? Times were turbulent, but surely no one would hurt the heir to the Winter Throne.
“I am always concerned with my daughter’s safety, particularly in times like these. She is a target. She will become even more of a target once word is out she is ready to settle down and take over the throne. But Wren trusts you. And I trust you. You are strong, stronger than most of our wolves here. Your parents have proven themselves loyal to the court, and it’s time for you to prove the same thing.”
“And what if she does not agree?” I was nearly positive she wouldn’t. She would be completely against doing an official visit, for that’s what this would be, to meet the available wolves in each court.
“She has no choice.” The queen’s voice was hard. Cold.
“But you said I was to keep this secret.”
“You will tell her once you leave. If we do not have this alliance soon, the whole court could be in danger.”
“What excuse will you give her ahead of time?”
“That you are being sent on Court business. I will send you with sealed envelopes.”
“She will hate me.” And she would never forgive me. I was unfortunately aware of that.
“And why should that matter to me?” Esmeralda’s expression darkened.
“It should not. I misspoke.” I knew my place, and I knew the dangers of stepping out of it. I had four younger siblings to worry about.
The queen nodded. “If you succeed on this assignment, you will be handsomely rewarded. As will your entire family. I have a very specific prize in mind for you.”
“When do you want me to take her?” I could not believe I was agreeing to this, but then again, I had no choice. Saying no to the queen was impossible. Besides, if I said no she’d just find another to take Wren. And what if that other didn’t protect her well? What if something befell her? I couldn’t live with myself if that happened. Not to mention what the queen would do to my family… I couldn't put them at risk even if finding Wren a mate was the last thing I ever wanted to do.
“When she returns from Spring Court we will prepare for your departure.” Esmeralda gave me a stern look. “I will make sure you are given all the provisions you need.”
“Yes, my queen.” I bowed my head, letting her know she had my agreement even though she already knew. I’d been in no position to say no.
“Do you understand the importance of this assignment?” She rested her forearms on the arms of the throne.
“Yes, my queen. Completely.”
“And please make sure she behaves herself. Particularly in Summer. You know that would be the most beneficial alliance.”
It was also the one she’d hate the most. She’d been feuding with the Summer heir, Coral, for as long as I could remember. I didn’t really understand where the argument began, but it only seemed to get worse over the years despite the two not spending that much time together.
“No one can make Wren act a certain way.” It was one of the many things I loved about her. She was impossible to tame.
“If anyone can, it is you.”
“You give me too much credit, my queen.”
“Wren has always held you in esteem; she’s listened to you more than anyone else.”
“That’s not true. She enjoys my company for whatever reason, but that doesn't mean she listens.”
“You will make this work.” Her words were unyielding. There was no reason to argue.
I nodded. “I will do my best.”
“Yes, you will.”
She didn’t need to say anything. I knew my audience was over. I bowed once more before walking back out the way I came.
“Can I come?” Genevieve asked as soon as I left the throne room.
“Come where?” I glanced back into the throne room. The queen had her eyes closed, but I didn’t let that fool me. She knew everything that was going on in her palace all the time.
I picked up my pace and headed back toward the entrance.
Genevieve sighed. “I heard everything you discussed with my mother.”
“Then you know the answer already.” I was still trying to accept it. Accept that I was required to help Wren meet the shifter who gets to live the life I wanted to live more than anything.
“Because it’s too dangerous?” She rolled her eyes. “You can protect me.”
“Yes, and the nature of the trip.”
“But things are so boring here. I want to travel.” She whined.
“I’d prefer boring to taking this trip.” I’d prefer almost anything to it.
“You know you can’t let her find a mate that isn’t you.”
“I have no choice.” And she was going to end up with someone else anyway. At least this way I could protect her.
“You are a wolf.”
“I’m a low-born wolf who is of your court.” Why was I even entertaining this conversation with an eleven-year-old?
“Yes, but you two are so cute together.”
“Genevieve, being cute together doesn’t change anything, and you know it.”
“But if you were her mate I’d see you more.”
“Yes, you would. But that’s not going to happen.”
“I wish it could.” She swung her arms at her sides. “I so wish it could.”
“You can wish for things all you want, it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.”
“But it could. If you wish hard enough.”
“If only life worked that way.” Because then there was no way I’d be taking the girl of my dreams around to the other courts to find her mate. I’d be taking her as my mate instead. “But you can’t tell your sister. You heard your mom.”
“I know.” She wrapped one arm over her chest and clasped her other hand. “And I also know you are going to find a way around it. I am sure you can.”
“You have more confidence in me than I have.”
“Wren has confidence in you too.”
“She’s going to kill me for this.” I just hoped that one day she’d forgive me. It would be hard enough watching her with someone else, but I couldn’t stomach losing her friendship forever.
“She’ll understand you had no choice.”
“Are we talking about the same Wren?”
Genevieve laughed. “Ok. She will be mad, but she won’t kill you.”
“Are you so sure about that?”
“Yes. Yes, I am. She loves you too much.”
“Your sister doesn't love me.”
Genevieve stopped. “Yes, she does.”
“How much do you even know about love? You're eleven.”
“It doesn’t matter how much I know about love. It’s what I know about my sister.”
I reached the palace doors. “See you around, Genevieve.”
She stopped me. “Frost. It’s going to be okay. Everything is going to work out.”
“How do you know?”
She put a hand on my elbow. “I just do. I just know these things.”