The Frozen Prince (The Beast Charmer #2) - Maxym M. Martineau Page 0,94

warmth ignited in its center, casting the area in a warm marigold glow. There was barely enough room for four people to sleep side by side, but with this kind of chill, body heat was far from something to complain about.

“I knew it’d be cold, but holy gods, this is insane.” Leena crouched and sorted the satchels until she found hers. Shaking fingers reached for the clasp at her neck, and her cloak pooled around her winter gown.

Kost kneeled and opened his own bag. “As soon as dawn hits, we should move.”

Leena turned her back to us and began undressing. “The Azad comes out at night. As long as we’re there when the moon rises tomorrow, we’ll be fine.”

Ozias whirled around to face the tent’s opening with an apologetic glance in my direction. Kost kept his chin carefully tucked, a hint of pink skimming the tops of his ears. Despite everything, it was difficult not to laugh. A sliver of warmth melted the icy grip on my heart.

Bowen had led me straight to them. Once we were at the gates and out of sight, we’d delved into shadows, snuck through the sewer gate, and reappeared on the edge of Luma Lake. And standing there beside Leena was Amira. With her golden hair fanned out wide in a perpetual wind, she lingered close to Leena and ghosted her fingers along the expanse of my pair bond’s neck.

I hadn’t even told the shadows to act. They simply had. One dangerous tendril so wildly beyond my control had surged from my fingers and noosed my love. I couldn’t fight it. I couldn’t find the drive to remember or care why it was such a bad thing for it to be there. Everything else faded from existence, and I’d simply followed their leads.

And then Leena’s words—and power—had burst through the sick mirage and brought me back. Guilt threaded through my gut as I watched her slip into thick cashmere tights, followed by a pair of wool-lined alabaster breeches. Pulling on a long-sleeved undergarment and a frost-blue tunic over the top, she then reached for her cloak.

“You’re in the clear,” I murmured to my brothers. Both Kost and Ozias relaxed, turning back around and slumping to the ground. We opted for fewer tents and supplies so as not to draw further attention to ourselves, which meant sharing blankets and an oversize hide with a down lining. Fortunately, for those who’d been touched by death, the icy nip of night air didn’t hold the same sting it once did. Still a far stretch from comfortable, but the burn of snow wouldn’t kill us. Shared heat would suffice.

Leena snuck her arms through her coat and pulled the hood over her head, protecting her ears. Then, she slid beneath the hide and wiggled her booted feet. Even with shoes, she insisted her toes be covered by blankets. “Much better.”

“Here.” Kost threw a white bundle through the air.

Leena snatched it. “Thanks.” Peeling apart two thick gloves, she slipped them on with ease and then rubbed her hands together. Kost tossed a pair my direction and handed one to Ozias before placing his own black set on his hands.

Ozias arranged his bag in a mound and stretched out beside Leena, laying his head on his makeshift pillow. “Better get some shut-eye.” He propped his back against the canvas and silently accepted the cold chill inevitably sinking through the tent.

Leena lay down next to him and plopped her head on her bag. “If I have to get up and pee during the middle of this, I’ll cry.”

Ozias grinned. “I hope the gods aren’t that cruel.”

She giggled, and the soft sound was unbelievably painful. I’d almost stolen that from her and she didn’t even know. Lying down beside her, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her close to my chest. A contented sigh slipped from her lips and she nuzzled against me, seeking warmth. Ozias’s smile wavered, and a hint of apprehension lit his eyes when he met my gaze. It was gone in an instant, but I didn’t miss his subtle shift toward Leena.

I couldn’t blame him. I’d done something to keep him and Kost out. Created an unbreakable network of shadows they couldn’t pierce. Ozias loved Leena like family. She was blood to him. And I’d jeopardized that.

Stiff and uncertain, Kost lay down on the other side of me. Tension roiled off his form. I didn’t need to see his expression to know the battling emotions racing