“I’m pretty sure Ibena is that way.” Lux waved a hand toward the unblemished snow to their right. His tousled blond locks glowed even more angelically when dusted with snow, and Autumn’s fingers twitched with an urge to rip them off his head.
“We’re not going to Ibena, Lux,” she said carefully. Sweetly, even.
His innocent and perfect smile held just the right amount of confusion. “But we won’t find a priest to marry us in any of the farming villages.”
“We’re not getting married, Lux,” Autumn said through her teeth, staring straight ahead at the snow trail they would have to forge. She could no longer look at his ridiculously perfect jaw without wanting to punch it. “As I explained yesterday, my mother warned me not to marry princes fond of debauchery.”
His smile turned devilish. “But it would make my mother so angry.”
She spun, grabbing his jacket collar and yanking him close. “Your mother is beyond angry already, Lux. She won’t rest until I’m dead—until my family is dead. If you think I want to spend my last years shackled—“ Her breath caught as he leaned close enough to kiss. She hadn’t been this close to him since they’d fled the palace, and for good reason.
“I’m not going to marry you, Lux, so you might as well stop asking.”
His grin spread and his lips brushed hers before she could shove back. She glared at him, hands clenched, a growl slipping out before she could stop it.
He winked. “Then I’ll let you do the asking when you change your mind.”
He started off into the snow, whistling.
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