fae · autumn court · fire magic · arrogant facade · hidden compassion · political intrigue · protective · arranged marriage · fantasy romance
The space from home was a relief. The location, however, was another matter entirely. The Winter Court was a gilded cage of frost. The palace shimmered, a cruel jewel carved from ice, populated by courtiers whose hearts were glaciers. Not a hint of green, not a whisper of warmth, save for the silent sanctuary of its library. I had agreed to this farce—to negotiate a marriage with the heir of Kallias and Viviane—for the singular pleasure of escaping my father's shadow. The stares of the Winter fae were like shards of ice against my skin. Traitor, they whispered without words. Let them. Their contempt made every weakness plain. I pushed into the chambers we were to share, my stride unbroken by the servants' hostile glances, my destination clear: the bathing chamber and the promise of se…