The Snow Prince - Raleigh Ruebins Page 0,80

invited to the big reception party. Henry and I had decided to hold it in the park across from his childhood home, the same place we’d had our first kiss long ago.

The park had been transformed into a late autumn wonderland. There were canopies, string lights, outdoor seating, a giant dance floor, and plenty of outdoor food stands and little bars. All of it surrounded by pine trees on every side.

As Henry and I approached the park from the street, we both leaned over to look out the window in the black car, holding hands as we marveled at the sights.

“They really outdid themselves on this one,” Henry said. “This was all Genoveve’s doing?”

“I told her I wanted it to be in this park,” I said, watching as the crowd spilled into the park. “She organized all the rest.”

Henry squeezed my hand in his, bringing it up and kissing the back of my palm. He looked at the gold band around my ring finger and sighed.

“You’re my husband,” he said plainly.

“You’re my husband.”

He let out a small laugh, shaking his head. “I wish I could go back and tell fifteen-year-old you and me that we had nothing to be afraid of.”

My heart squeezed in my chest. “I’m sure fifteen-year-old me wouldn’t have believed it, anyway,” I said.

We watched as the car drove around the park, pulling into our designated parking spot.

“Holy shit,” Henry said suddenly. “Sebastian, look.”

He was pointing over toward the far end of the street, a ways away from the actual park. There was a single car parked there.

And standing just outside that car was my mother. Wearing a simple silver dress, watching my car like she had been waiting for it.

My chest tightened instantly. “She’s here.”

“I guess she got the invitation, after all,” Henry said.

I swallowed hard. “I’m going to go talk to her,” I said.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’m not going to let my mother ruin my wedding night,” I said. “But I have to talk to her.”

“I understand.” He pulled me into a short kiss. “I’ll meet you in the park, okay?”

I nodded.

As I walked over toward my mother, a chilly breeze floated through the air, almost like the sheer fact of her presence made the world colder.

Her expression was unreadable as I stepped close to her. I was struck by the fact that instead of looking intense or angry like she always used to, instead, she just looked… neutral.

“Sebastian,” she said.

“Mother.”

She cleared her throat, looking at my suit and then back up to meet my eyes. “Congratulations. You’re finally married.”

I puffed out a small laugh. “This is you trying to be supportive, isn’t it?” I asked.

“I suppose it is,” she said, crossing her arms as if she felt cold. My mother never used to get cold.

“Well, thank you, I suppose.”

She bit the inside of her cheek, pulling in a sharp breath. “My flight back to Denmark leaves in an hour. I just wanted to stop by. And let you know—well, let you know that I was here.”

“Not for the actual wedding, though.”

“I was there, too. In the back. Your vows made me cry. Henry is a wonderful man.”

I stared at her for a moment, silently. I had never in my life seen my mother cry.

“Thank you, Sebastian,” she said. “You’ve changed the world without even trying.”

“I don’t think I’ve changed the world,” I said. “Maybe Frostmonte.”

She pulled in a long breath. She looked like she was about to say something, then stopped herself, then I saw a flash of something in her eyes.

And then suddenly, without warning, my mother leaned forward and wrapped me in a hug.

It was awkward. Her arms felt so frail and bony. But she was hugging me, on my wedding day.

“Congratulations again,” she said.

“Thank you, mother.”

She squeezed my shoulders before slipping back into her black car. I watched as she drove away.

I was as confused as I was surprised. Henry had made reference to the fact that it felt like a curse had been lifted over Frostmonte when my mother gave up the throne. But seeing her right now, it felt like that same curse was gone from her, too.

She felt like a cold woman, still, maybe. But not like an evil one.

I carried that strange feeling in my heart as I walked back over to the park, feeling warmer with every step. When I walked over into the festivities, I was met with smiles and hugs and cheers, and I had a champagne glass