Winter Heiress Read online

  He looks a bit uncomfortable. “It’s not common knowledge.”

  I huff. “Well, I’m not exactly common. Shouldn’t the heiress to the Winter throne know such things?”

  “Yer mother didnae want ta worry ya.” Arc appears on my other side, the tip of his wings almost touching mine.

  My good mood is quickly disappearing. “She keeps saying she wants me to take over some of her duties. How am I supposed to do that if she doesn’t tell me what’s going on?”

  “She was waiting ta find oot if they’re here for ye,” Arc says. My head is spinning. This all doesn’t make any sense.

  “Why would they be here for me? I was told the Summer King wanted to prevent me from reaching my mother, but I’m here now, so why would he want to go after me? He’s failed and I’m now under Beira’s protection. Surely he’s got no chance of actually getting close to the palace?”

  “We’ve got some theories, but until any of them have been proven, let’s not talk about it,” Storm growls from the front, his deep voice carrying despite the wind getting stronger.

  “No way!” I shout back. “I want answers, now!”

  Frost clears his throat. “Wyn, you’re sparking.”

  “What?” I look down at myself and notice a plume of smoke trailing me. Oops. What has my magic done now?

  I check on her and find her running around in circles, colourful sparks flying all around her. What the hell?

  “Bad girl,” I tell her and she looks at me, grinning widely. She’s been really badly behaved recently. Maybe she’s going through puberty? It’s getting harder to control her, especially now that she’s getting stronger. All the magic here must be messing with her understanding of the rules. And one of those rules is not to set me on fire.

  “Sit in a corner,” I command but all she does is show me her pink tongue. Maybe I should talk to my mother about this. Or one of the Guardians, although they all think it’s crazy that I talk to my magic. That I see her as a distinct entity. So maybe not, they wouldn’t know what to do.

  “I think we need to give you some lessons,” Frost says with a smirk and I perk up. Is he talking about... no, he means my magic. Pity. I’ve not had as much physical contact with them as I would like. I thought once we’d get to the palace and have a life where we weren’t running from assassins and fighting demons, we’d have more alone time. But no, everybody’s so busy that I’m rarely alone with all of them. I could probably count the times all five of us have sat together on one hand.

  I should really enjoy this trip and leave the questions for later. I will get my answers though, even if I have to invent new torture methods. Maybe if I play all innocent now, they’ll forget our argument and will be more easily convinced to part with their knowledge later? A girl can hope...

  I send some water magic over my back to extinguish any sparks that may still be lingering there. I’m amazed I haven’t actually burned myself. That would be so like me. A whoosh of warm air dries my clothes immediately. Magic does come in handy.

  We fly in silence, although Frost shoots me a smile from time to time. He’s not going to let the almost-burning-myself-by-accident go anytime soon. Well, I’ve got enough dirt on him to retaliate.

  “We’re almost there!” Storm shouts from the front. “Will you manage to land?”

  I cringe at his doubts in my skills - but they are well-founded. I try and move the memory of crashing into one of the palace towers out of my mind. I’ve still got bruises on my bum. Flying is hard, but landing is even harder. And painful, in most of my attempts so far. Let’s hope this time will be more graceful. I’ve got four guys watching me, after all, and despite being their Princess I still want to impress them. Don’t ask me why, my brain is weird.

  “Yes!” I reply loudly, trying to sound confident. Maybe if they believe in me, it will work?

  “Don’t forget to use your wind magic to buffer your fall,” Crispin whispers from behind and I give him a grateful nod. Always good to have a plan B. Combining different kinds of magic is one thing I’m still struggling with. And using magic while flying... not easy. But then I remember how I instinctively extinguished the sparks and warmed my clothes after, and smile. Looks like I’m making progress, even if I’m not noticing it immediately.

  We descend towards a solitary pine tree in a vast expanse of ice. There’s nothing here but frozen ground. No houses, no people, only this one tree. Having grown up in a city, this is very alien to me. Even when we went on trips into the hills, there were always other people around. Not here, though. Nothing grows in these plains, and there is no reason for anybody to be here. Except for us. I have no idea why Storm chose this as the place for our picnic.

  Storm accelerates and lands on the ice below us. Maybe he wants to catch me if I fall. I’m not sure if I feel insulted or cared for. These men are messing with my feelings again. Having one boyfriend was hard enough back on Earth - it lasted about two months before he gave up on me - but now I have four. There should be handbook for this. How to have your own male harem. Or: How to cope with four times the normal testosterone.

  They’re driving me crazy. But then, they probably think the same thing about me. I know I’m not the easiest person to be around. Or the most stable.

  I adjust the angle of my wings just like the guys showed me. Theoretically, this should enable a smooth landing. I reach for my wind magic and create a pillow of air hovering above the ground. Just in case. I don’t want to ruin this picnic by breaking anything.

  “Go for it,” Frost cheers me on and I dip my wings, going into the final dive down.

  Ten seconds later, I’m very thankful for the air cushion I created. I’m lying on it, three feet off the snowy ground, nursing my bruised ego. I probably looked like a dodo falling from the sky. With even worse wing coordination.

  All four of the guys have landed and are watching me, in various stages of hiding their laughter. Or in Crispin’s case, not hiding it at all. He’s bent over laughing. I growl at him. He’s insulting my ailing dignity.

  I deflate my magic pillow and am gently lowered to the ground. Now that’s what my landing should have looked like. Arc comes over and puts an arm around my shoulders.

  “Dinnae worry, lass. It takes some time ta learn how ta fly.”

  “I know how to fly,” I protest. “Just not how to land.”

  Crispin is shaken by another fit of giggles. That man has no respect for his Princess.

  To change the topic, I ask, “Why are we here? What’s so special about this place?”

  Storm gives me a rare smile. “Use your magic to find out.”

  I frown but do as he says. I expand my senses, reaching out for any signs of magical activity. There’s a slight humming beneath the ground that I focus on. I’m hesitant to use my Earth magic, as it seems to be the one I have least control over, but I send a tendril of magic into the ground, feeling for anything unusual.

  The humming increases the further I reach. Something is hidden in the Earth, something big. There’s a point to my right that calls to me, and without thinking, I walk to it and stop only a few feet away from the tree. It’s beneath me, whatever it is.

  I look to the guys for guidance and Storm nods. Looks like I’m doing the right thing. I send a bit more magic into the ground, feeding that strange point that is attracting me. It feels like an orb that’s been buried beneath the surface. And it needs to be filled to... to do what exactly?

  The guys would have told me if this was dangerous, right? They wouldn’t let me feed magic to a monster that will eat us any second now? No, they’re sensible, most of the time. I send the final bit of magic into it - and the ground begins to shake.

  “What’s happening?” I ask, slightly panicked. I remember the first time I made the ground shake, when the guys had to subdue me before I levelled the street.

  “Wait and see,” Crispin grins, staring at the tree in expectation.

  The tree looks just the same - no, wait, it’s slowly start
ing to twist. Its thin trunk pirouettes gracefully before the entire tree jumps to one side, leaving a hole in the ground.

  “What. The. Fuck.” I stare at the tree which is now in a new place, looking as if it’s been growing there all its life. “What just happened?”

  “So impatient,” Frost chuckles. “As Crisp said: wait and see.”

  It’s not in my nature to be patient, but with the guys not budging, I have no choice. I look at the hole, carefully approaching it. It’s just about wide enough to let someone big like Arc squeeze through. I shoot him a glance. His muscles... yummy.... no, Wyn, you’re not looking at his muscles, you’re looking at his circumference. Yes, he should fit.

  Nothing happens.

  “Do we have to jump in?” I ask and turn to look at them - and swirl around a second later as a loud bang signals that something is happening.

  “Aww, ye missed it,” Arc says. I huff in disappointment but then he chuckles. “Just kidding. Watch now.”

  This time, I don’t turn but stare at the hole, trying not to blink. A faint pink mist starts to rise from the ground. No, not pink, rainbow coloured. Just like on my wings, hundreds of colours swirl into each other, creating the illusion of a rainbow. It’s beautiful. The mist begins to solidify and form a shape, almost as tall as me.

  “Is that a horse?” I ask, but the guys shush me.

  “Do not use the word ‘horse’ during the next few hours,” Storm warns me. “Our host is allergic to it.”

  “What?” I ask in confusion, but all they do is groan. Really, they should be used to me asking questions by now. When I first met them, Crispin said he found it endearing. Now I’m not so sure. He’s probably changed his mind. Gods, even I know I can be annoying.

  The mist swirls faster, getting ever more solid, until it suddenly turns white. And it’s the shape of a....

  “A unicorn?” I ask open-mouthed. “But unicorns don’t exist.”

  “Don’t they?” the unicorn replies drily, and I think I’m about to faint. It’s a real-life unicorn. I repeat, a UNICORN. Like a white horse (oops!) but with an ivory coloured horn that looks like it could easily kill a few demons. Its fur is shimmering with a hint of rainbow and its hooves are bright silver.

  “Am I hallucinating?” I ask weakly and the guys laugh. Those evil Guardians could have warned me.

  “You didn’t get this weird when you saw you had wings,” Crispin remarks and I’m tempted to set him on fire. On purpose, not like my usual accidents.

  “But it’s a unicorn...” I mumble, aware that I’m not making much sense. I’ve loved unicorns ever since I was little. When I found out that Scotland’s national animal is a unicorn, I was the happiest girl on the planet. Scotland is full of unicorn statues and coat of arms. Take Stirling Castle for example, they even have giant tapestries depicting a unicorn which is being captured by a virgin. Oh.

  “So the legend of needing a maiden to attract a unicorn isn’t true?” I ask my Guardians, fully aware that they’ve found out by themselves that I wasn’t a virgin. And after our... bedroom adventures, I’d definitely not be one anymore.

  “No, but any maiden is welcome to appear to me,” the unicorn cackles. I don’t think my eyes can get any wider. Did this unicorn just make a saucy comment?

  “Blaze, don’t shock her even more,” Storm admonishes him. Yes, it’s definitely a him. His voice is melodically masculine, although I’m not quite sure how he manages to sound so human. Do horses have vocal chords? These are the moments I miss the internet. It would be a quick search to find out, but here I have to either ask questions or not find out.

  This time, I decide to stay quiet. I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of this unicorn. Who knows how powerful he is. A bit of healthy respect won’t hurt.

  “We bring food,” Frost says and shows the unicorn our basket. “Can we have our picnic at your place?”

  “You want to bring a girl into my house? And probably be loud? And eat human food? Hell yes!”

  His bright blue eyes shimmer in excitement. Looks like this unicorn isn’t used to having visitors. Really his own fault, living under a tree isn’t very inviting. Only the initiated would ever find his dwelling.

  “No flirting,” Storm warns as Blaze moves back towards his hole. How did he fit through there? The unicorn is decidedly too big for that.

  “Yeah, yeah, I’ll behave,” Blaze mutters and dissolves into rainbow mist. He definitely has a flair for drama. But if you’re a unicorn, you’re allowed to be a little flashy.

  Chapter Three

  Storm takes the lead, stepping into the mist where the hole just was. I expect him to fall, but nothing happens. It looks as if he’s still standing on solid ground. Weird. Magic is so weird.

  “Watch and learn,” he grins and stamps once with his right foot. Then he sinks into the earth.

  It’s like he’s standing on an elevator that’s slowly going down. He stands there patiently, watching my reaction as he descends ever further. When only his head is above ground, he winks. Storm is enjoying this, that much is clear. Am I going to see more of the playful Storm today? I very much hope so. He’s been so serious recently, taking on his old role in the Palace. He deserves to have some fun. Preferably with me on a blanket. Without the unicorn.

  “Want to go next?” Crispin asks me and I nod, not sure whether I should look forward to this. It doesn’t seem as much fun as the slides in the Palace towers.

  I step into the mist, almost afraid that the hole might have returned, but no, I stand on something hard. Harder than the ground, maybe wood or stone?

  Just like Storm, I stamp my right foot – and nothing happens. I look at my Guardians questioningly.

  “Maybe try harder?” Frost suggests. “Storm’s a lot heavier than you.”

  I stamp again, this time with as much force as I can muster. It works. The ground vibrates, then I’m slowly transported down.

  Darkness awaits me. It’s a long shaft that takes me down further and further. Who has ever heard of unicorns living underground? Maybe he’s eccentric even for a unicorn?

  It takes several minutes and I’m getting bored. Yes, I definitely prefer the sliding stairs. I’ve tried them all in the past two weeks, discovering that they all have different speeds and curves. It’s my favourite thing about living in my mother’s Palace.

  Finally, the platform I’m standing on comes to a halt. I step off it, looking around. It’s dark everywhere with the exception of a dim light in the distance. Carefully, I walk towards it, a bit annoyed that Storm didn’t wait for me. The ground is uneven and I’d really like some lamps. Or a Guardian, either works.

  “Storm?” I call out.

  “Over here!” he responds. He’s close and I walk into the direction of his voice. It slowly grows a little brighter and my steps become more confident. It’s as if the walls themselves are giving off a faint glow. Bioluminescence? Magic?

  “Just around the corner!” he calls. Why is he hiding from me? Couldn’t he just have waited? I grumble to myself as I step around the corner and –

  Wow.

  Imagine a rainbow trapped into a cave of mirrors, reflecting itself over and over again. Then add a sexy Guardian sitting on the ground with a picnic basket, holding up a bottle of something that looks like my favourite red wine. And to top it all off, there are strawberries in a bowl on the picnic blanket.

  Wow. This is the pinnacle of romance. I just want to throw myself at him and… no. Let’s wait for the others.

  “Dragon got your tongue?” Storm asks and opens the bottle with a gentle pop.

  “Where’s Blaze?” I ask, looking around for the unicorn. If I start getting touchy-feely, I better make sure there are no witnesses.

  “He’s gone to get himself some food from the larder. As much as he pretends to love human food, he can’t stomach it.” He beckons me to sit down next to him.

  “Are the others coming?” I ask him, finding it a bit strange that they’re not here already. />
  “Yes, in a moment. I wanted to talk to you for a second, just the two of us.”

  I take a seat on the blanket opposite Storm, looking at him curiously. His words are really quite ominous... should I be scared? Is it going to be some kind of bad news?

  “Okay... what’s up?” I cross my legs and try to look comfortable despite the tension within me. People saying they want to talk is never a good sign.

  “I’m sorry I haven’t been around much lately,” he begins and I nod. Yup, he’s right about that. He’s been absent a lot. “I talked to your mother about it.”

  “You did what?” I gape at him. Why would he talk to Beira about our private life?

  “She’s allowed me to reduce my working hours so I can spend more time with you. Same for the others. But I want to make some rules. We each get to spend some alone time with you. We can be all together in the evenings or for excursions like this one, but I want more of you. I need more of you.”

  His gaze grows heated as he looks me straight into my eyes. Wow. Did he just say he needs me?

  “I’ve missed you too,” I say softly, not quite sure how to respond. I’m not very experienced with this kind of relationship talk. Usually I’d try and laugh about it and then change the topic. But it’s clear Storm is very serious.

  “When you say you need alone time... are you still okay with me being with, you know, all of you?”

  I’m a bit scared of his reply. If he says no, I’d have no idea what to do.

  “Yes, I am,” he says and I breathe a sigh of relief. “But I do feel jealous sometimes when I know that you’re with the others while I have to work. I don’t want to be the one you’re with the least. I want to be the one you spend the most amount of time with.”

  He grins sheepishly.

  “Wouldn’t that be unfair towards the others?” I ask and return his smile.

  “Yeah, probably. But I’m the leader, so who cares.” With that, he gets up and walks around the picnic basket before kneeling down in front of me.

  “We’ve not known each other for very long, but the bond makes it feel as if we have. I get... I don’t know how to say it... strange when I’m not around you.”