33

A Fighting Chance

Iwake the next day earlier than anticipated, a sign from the Makers that, for this new plan to work, I needed to dedicate every waking second to finding answers. Trusting Jonas has a handle on the final preparations for the masquerade ball, I am eager to spend the day in the library, regardless of if Jerrick planned more training or not.

I opted for the cotton tunic and leather trousers Dorit laid out in the night while I was sleeping. Fastening my hair in a loose plait, I slip on my boots quickly, pausing on the threshold and looking into my room. I land on my mother's mirror on the nightstand, reminding me to speak with Niko tonight and propose the new plan.

Squaring my shoulders, I find my resolve and leave my chambers, hurrying down to the kitchens for a quick bite. The thought of food drew me faster through the castle, sending my saliva to drip from the side of my mouth.

Sweet Makers, I must be famished.

I push harder into the stone floor, my muscle memory kicking in, taking me through my usual path. A smile forms when I reach the second level of the castle, noting the light smell of yeast in the air.

I turn the last corner for the kitchens and bump face-first into someone.

Stumbling backward, I lose my footing.

I anticipate the sharp impact of my ass, but it is worse than I thought. Unable to evade the inevitable, I crash against the floor, teeth smacking, and sending a searing pain through my jaw. Even my wrists strained when I tried to help cushion my fall.

Heat blooms around my cheeks as I check my hands, flicking my wrists and noting the small cut from my fall.

A hand shoots in my line of vision, causing me to jump, lifting my head to see whom it belonged to.

Wildfire flows throughout my body as Jerrick stands above me with an undone shirt.

We scan each other for any noticeable injuries, and I use this to my advantage, peeking through his clothing. His chest is chiseled and muscular, and the hardened muscles drift downward to his stomach.

I inch forward as I take his hand, finding myself trying to look further. But the pulling of my arm forces me to break my stare as I stumble into him.

I right my footing, but Jerrick doesn't release my hand. Instead, he holds it closer, inspecting the small cut.

"You're bleeding."

"It's just a cut. It'll be fine," I say, unconcerned.

Jerrick pulls my hand closer and scowls as if it is the villain in this altercation. And maybe it is. Deities, my magic does come from there.

But when he drops his gaze, he propels us forward. "Come, let's go get you bandaged up," he says, dragging me down the hall.

"What? Don't want to use your magic to help me instead?"

"I've already told you my powers don't work like that."

My memory jogs, and I want to ask another question but refrain when we enter the kitchens.

The yeast is thick as we inch closer, and my stomach releases a low growl, earning me a side glance from Jerrick. All I offer is a shrug, hopeful he doesn't catch the hint of embarrassment on my end.

Ophelia and Cordelia hum the same song in harmony, seamlessly working together and around each other as they prepare meals for the castle. Their eyes meet mine and Jerrick's, and I wave to them as Jerrick guides us over to the table.

"Where are the bandages?" he asks.

Ophelia's head whips up to us with worry etched on her features. "What happened? Are you alright?"

Cordelia simultaneously says, "I'll fetch them."

Cordelia hurries to the opposite side of the kitchen near a vast variety of cabinets, withdrawing a small pouch and swiveling to us. By the time she reaches us, Ophelia has sat across from us, examining the cut on my hand.

"It's nothing, really," I assure them as Cordelia hands Jerrick the small pouch of bandages.

Only then does he release my hand, taking the pouch and revealing an assortment of cloths varying in length and size. "It is when it is my fault," Jerrick mutters loud enough for us all to hear.

Both women's eyes meet mine in a flash of curiosity, so I fill them in, "I bumped into him and fell on my ass."

Cordelia stifles a laugh, and Ophelia looks between us, a discernible grin lining her face.

I roll my eyes, knowing they will not let me forget this.

Thank the Makers Jerrick was paying close attention to my hand, or else he would have seen the wink Ophelia gave me before elbowing Cordelia. He cleans my cut and ties a small cloth around it, forming a knot on the outer part of my hand instead of my palm, allowing me to open and close it with ease.

"Thank you," I tell him while inspecting the bandaging, catching his small smirk.

I ask my friends, "Any quick bites Jerrick and I can take to the library?"

Both nod eagerly, standing to assemble a tray of food as Jerrick's gaze burns into the side of my face. When I meet it, his stare is unsure, unsteady.

The women bring me a tray, and I rise to take it, a smile of gratitude extended to each of them. Without waiting for Jerrick, I leave the kitchen with the library in my sights.

I don't make it very far when a soft touch caresses my elbow. I am half tempted to ignore it and keep walking, but I plant my feet.

Jerrick stands in front of me. "I thought you might want to try to train again today?"

Holding his stare, I try to convey my eagerness to break his curse.

This new plan could be the only chance to avoid a fight.

"My magic is something that can wait. Your curse, on the other hand? Not as much," I tell him, psyching myself up to not be deterred from my goals.

Surprised lifts his brows when I sidestep him.

I succeed a few feet before he tugs me back once again. The tray, thankfully, remains between us, keeping a sinful desire within me at bay.

"Is this you trying to avoid what we discussed yesterday?" he asks, his voice rising in concern.

I am quick to debunk his worry. "I am not avoiding it."

Well, you sort of are, Tove.

"Only delaying the inevitable?"

I tilt my chin at his quip. "Precisely."

I have grown to understand the basics of my magic, yes, but delaying my progress to prevent the fight from happening takes precedence.

Break the curse.

Achieve peace in each kingdom.

Practice my magic more and return home safely.

Then deal with everything else after that.

I can do that.

Jerrick scans me, worry and suspicion abandoning his features as he takes the tray.

Grinning appreciatively, I try to thank him, but he interrupts, "I appreciate your efforts in aiding me, Frostbite. But don't forget, I am here to help you, too."

My stomach flips.

We are both here to help the other, and I truly feel it now more than ever since I've been arrived.

The sincerity behind his voice pulls me closer as we walk in a peaceful tandem toward the library, continuing our efforts in search of a breakthrough on his curse.

Wavy auburn hair is the first thing I see after running my palm on my mother's mirror for the third circle. Dark eyebrows lift in glee, and the golden light in Niko's eyes shine through the reflection.

He beams from ear to ear, lips as luscious as I remember, and his grin as genuine as my dreams depict. His happiness brings tears to my eyes, the love and adoration from him shining like Yeva herself.

I squeeze my mother's mirror for dear life. Somehow, the small crack makes him appear more real. For once, my tears are of relief to see the person I care about the most.

When his entire frame fills the reflection my heart leaps out of my body. His broad shoulders, his sexy shadow of stubble, and his eyes.

I clench my thighs, knowing I am going to have a hard time sleeping tonight.

It is quiet, and the silence is tender. I don't want to ruin it. I want to take him in. Every crevice, every detail of him that I haven't seen in person. Niko is here, and I am completely utterly speechless.

"I am so happy to see your smile," he says with the utmost tenderness, and it sends my heart skittering across the floor.

I nod eagerly, wiping a tear from my eye. "I'm happy to see your smile."

He leans closer to the reflection, observing me. Heat rises to my cheeks when he smiles.

I must look like a lovesick child because he says, "I wish I was holding you, kissing you."

I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, glancing down at my nightgown, wishing he could be removing it with his hands. "I wish the same."

"Soon, Tove. So soon. We have everything we need to fight after the masquerade ball," he says pridefully.

My stomach sours, remembering the serious discussion I want to have.

Niko catches the fall of my expression. "What is it?"

I drop my head as my shoulders fall, my lungs expanding as I concentrate on keeping my emotions in check. A small inkling of power ripples within me, alert and aware of my conflict and festering guilt.

I close my eyes, eliminating the negative reflex of my magic awakening and breathing through it to quiet it down.

Scuffles come from the other end of the connection, and I ignore it, slowly letting the magic calm. The snowstorm in my heart and mind silence, and as my eyes open, relief floods my system.

I wish Jerrick were here to see it.

I imagine home, winter still creeping across the kingdom despite the warmer weather. If I keep making progress with my magic, Axidoria could see real seasons once more at some point. But I need to ensure the home I return to is going to be the same as when I left.

Determination and trust in my own judgment have me rising to meet Niko's gaze.

I offer him a tightened expression. "I want to call off the attack after the masquerade ball."

Niko's jaw falls, and his eyes widen in disbelief.

I wait quietly, allowing him the chance to recover as he granted the same mere moments ago.

His head tilts as he closes his mouth, biting his lip. He goes to speak, but nothing comes out. Instead, he pushes from the vanity and paces, completely forgetting my presence.

He rakes his hands through his messy hair.

I can't tell if he is worried, shocked, or mad. I try to improve my view to no success.

He finally turns, feet planted, and arms crossed as resentment grows in his gaze.

I immediately want to take back what I said.

The anger he has been reserving for Jerrick blazes. It stings again to see it being directed at me.

A lump forms in my throat. He is not going to like anything I have to say, but he needs to know everything as my advisor and as my partner.

I speak up, hopeful the new offering will bring back the smiling man from moments ago, "I have a new plan. One with no bloodshed and the chance for me to come home."

"What is this new plan?" he grits out, anger lacing each word.

I tell him the new plan.

His demeanor is something I monitor with each new tidbit of information, each memory, and recollection I think would be beneficial in winning him over to the new plan. He remains unmoving and angry but listens to everything I say.

I don't know what side is logging the information, but I hope it is the man who is my partner and not my royal advisor.

"I don't want to hurt anyone, Niko. I never have. This is the best way for that to not happen, not upset the Makers, not break the peace, and have us keep a political relationship with Palaena for trade," I finish, reaching my hand up to dry a few wet spots on my cheeks.

The guilt I have been feeling is finally exposed, and it should be a weight lifted from my shoulders. But the more I speak and try to explain myself, the worse it feels as Niko's gaze doesn't change.

The tender silence that had my heart skipping earlier has been snuffed out by the wrath festering from Niko. I scan him head to toe, trying to find something that tells me he understands.

He finally moves and his hands smack down on the vanity so hard the bang echoes in my bedchamber.

I jolt back from the pure rage blurring in his eyes.

"Why are you really doing this?"

He darkens, voice lethal and venomous.

I break from the drastic shift of longing to frustration. "I already told you! I don't want to hurt anyone!"

He continues to seethe, disbelieving everything I've said.

I pray the plea is enough for him to understand where I am coming from. "I've been here for months, Niko. I've been watching, learning, and growing. And, yes, I know you had every intention of going to battle to bring me home. But now? After everything I've learned?" I shake my head, refusing to budge on this.

Palaena is not the enemy we once thought they were. The answers I am looking for about my family could be in Axidoria or in another kingdom.

I square my shoulders. "I've made my decision. We can't fight. Ready or not, Palaena doesn't deserve that. Jerrick doesn't deserve that."

I meet Niko's features, tears running down my cheeks, my powers alert and ready to unleash. My thoughts drift to Jerrick, remembering our day in the library and hoping the image of his smile will quiet my magic from surging across my skin.

My voice is exhausted.

"Battle is going to make matters worse for everyone. My new plan is our only option."

He stares me down in silence.

I want to apologize, knowing this was all time wasted. I want to applaud him for everything he has done for Axidoria in my absence. I want to let him know that I see him, I love him, it's all going to be okay and that we'll be together again soon. But I don't know if saying any of that will bring his smile back.

Seeing him so quiet—so angry—breaks my heart.

When he breaks our stare, a visible tear runs down the side of his cheek.

I didn't mean to upset him.

"Niko, I—"

"Are you in love with him?"