11. Violet
Chapter eleven
Violet
M y legs ache from all the walking we’ve done today.
Jack’s tour of his realm has been breathtaking—from the crystal gardens where flowers bloom in ice to the market where winter sprites trade in shimmering goods. But now the twin moons hang high in the sky, casting their silvery light across the snow.
Jack walks beside me, his posture rigid, his gaze scanning the horizon. It’s like he’s expecting an attack at any moment, which, given the whole ‘fated mates’ and ‘potential ruin’ situation, might not be too far off.
It’s eerily beautiful, and I feel like I’m walking through a dream—a cold, confusing dream where I’m constantly torn between awe and a desperate need to get back home. I feel a sense of wonder at the world around me. It’s like stepping into a fairy tale, complete with a brooding, frost-covered prince. I snort at the thought, earning a sideways glance from Jack.
“Something amusing?” His voice carries the weight of an impending storm.
I shake my head, my breath turning to mist in the frigid air. “Just thinking about how this whole situation would make for one hell of a story back home.”
Jack’s lips tighten, and for a moment, I think I’ve pushed him too far. But then he surprises me with a soft chuckle. “I suppose it would. Though I doubt anyone would believe it.”
“Probably not,” I agree, my heart doing a little flip at the sound of his rare laughter. It’s rich, like the first ray of sun after a long winter’s night.
I sneak a glance at him, his profile etched sharply against the night sky. “So, uh, you come out here often?” I ask, trying to break the silence. “Or is this a special ‘show the new girl around’ kind of thing?”
He spares me a brief look, his icy blue eyes piercing even in the dim light. “I patrol my kingdom regularly.”
Right. Of course he does.
“We should head back now.” Jack’s voice carries that usual note of command.
I open my mouth to ask if we’re still walking, but he extends his hand. The gesture seems almost unconscious, like he’s forgotten his usual coldness toward me.
Don’t read too much into it , I tell myself. But my heart does that stupid flutter thing, anyway.
“I can transport us directly to the castle.”
“Thank fuck. My feet are killing me. ”
His lips twitch, fighting what might have been a smile. “Such language.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Would you prefer if I said my feet are experiencing significant discomfort, Your Frostiness?”
Before he can respond, a low growl echoes through the trees. Jack’s entire demeanor shifts. His hand drops and he steps in front of me, his posture rigid.
“What was that?”
“Quiet.”
The growl grows louder, multiplying into a chorus of snarls. Dark shapes emerge from between the trees, their forms liquid shadow rather than flesh. My breath catches in my throat as more materialize, their eyes glowing with an eerie purple light.
Holy shit. Those aren’t normal wolves.
“Stay behind me,” Jack orders. For once, I don’t argue. I’ve seen enough movies to know that when the guy with supernatural powers tells you to get behind him, you do it.
The largest wolf, its shoulders reaching my chest, stalks forward. Its teeth flash—literal shards of ice in a mouth of shadows.
“Jack?” My voice comes out smaller than I mean it to.
The shadow wolves circle us. Their movements are fluid and unnatural. I count six—no, eight of them. Their bodies ripple like smoke, but their teeth gleam solid enough when they bare them.
Ice crystals form in the air around us, catching the moonlight. The temperature plummets so rapidly my teeth chatter. Jack raises his hands, and the ground beneath our feet freezes solid in expanding circles of intricate patterns.
The largest wolf lunges. Jack’s arm sweeps up, and a wall of ice erupts from the ground, catching the creature mid-leap. It shatters into wisps of darkness, reforming seconds later.
“Fuck,” I breathe, pressing closer to Jack’s back.
Two more wolves attack from different directions. Jack spins, dragging me with him. A blast of arctic wind throws the creatures back. Ice forms around their legs, but they dissolve through it like smoke.
“They’re not natural,” Jack snarls. His voice has changed, taking on an otherworldly echo. Power rolls off him in waves so intense my skin prickles.
But it’s the next display that steals my breath entirely. Jack’s form shifts before my eyes—his already tall frame stretches impossibly higher until he towers over me at seven feet. His skin darkens to a deep, mesmerizing blue that reminds me of arctic depths. His silver hair whips wildly around his face in a wind I can’t feel, and without his shirt, I can see the way his muscles ripple with barely contained power. The temperature plummets so low my lungs burn with each breath.
Two more attack from different directions. Jack spins, one hand shooting toward each wolf. Spears of ice materialize in the air, impaling them. They dissolve like smoke in the wind.
Holy shit.
The remaining wolves attack as one. Jack pulls me against his chest, and the world explodes in white. A dome of ice forms around us as he raises both arms to the sky. Through the crystalline walls, I watch shadows and ice collide.
The wolves’ howls turn to shrieks as Jack’s power tears through them. Each blast of his magic illuminates the night, turning the shadows to nothing more than whispers in the wind.
When the last wolf falls, Jack lowers his arms. The ice dome melts away, leaving us standing in a circle of frost-covered ground. The air still crackles with his power.
My heart pounds against my ribs—not from fear, but from something else entirely as I stare at this terrifying, beautiful creature before me. His raw display of power both terrifies and captivates me—this isn’t the controlled winter king I’ve come to know, but something far more ancient and deadly.
The forest falls silent except for my ragged breathing and the lingering hum of Jack’s power in the air.
My heart pounds against my ribs as Jack turns to me. His eyes still glow with that eerie blue light, power radiating from him in waves that make the air shimmer. For the first time, I truly understand what he is—not just some magical being playing at winter, but Winter itself given form.
“Are you hurt?” Jack turns to me, his eyes still blazing with that ethereal light.
“No, I’m okay.” My voice shakes. “That was... holy shit , Jack.”
His power gradually dims, but he remains tense, scanning the treeline. His hand finds my arm, and I realize I’m trembling.
“Those weren’t ordinary wolves.”
“No shit. What were they? ”
“Darkspawn.” The word falls from his lips like a curse. “Beasts of shadow, twisted by dark magic into mockeries of natural wolves.” His voice is deeper than usual. “They shouldn’t be this far north.”
I press closer to Jack, my eyes searching the darkness between the trees. “Why are they here?”
Jack’s form shifts back to his usual height, but the intense blue of his skin remains. His chest rises and falls with each breath, still shirtless despite the freezing temperature.
“They’re drawn to warmth.” His gaze falls heavy on me. “To life.”
Oh . “You mean me? I’m attracting them?”
“Your presence here...” He runs a hand through his frost-white hair. “It creates an imbalance. Like a beacon in the darkness.”
“Great. So not only am I destined to destroy your kingdom, but I’m also attracting fucking darkspawn.” I wrap my arms around myself. “Any other deadly creatures I should know about?”
“Many.” His eyes scan the treeline again. “We need to return to the castle. Now.”
“No argument here.”
His jaw clenches. “Take my hand.”
I place my palm against his, that same electric spark shooting through me at the contact. He tugs me closer, and my free hand lands on his upper arm. His skin feels surprisingly warm under my touch. That strange frost in my chest grows stronger, pulsing in time with my heartbeat.
“Ready?” he asks softly.
The world fractures into glittering shards around us. My body feels like it’s being pulled apart and squeezed back together, every atom rearranging itself. The sensation lasts only a second before reality snaps back into focus.
We materialize in the castle’s grand entrance, but my legs won’t cooperate. I cling to Jack’s arms, my fingers digging into his muscles.
“You can release me now.” The words vibrate through his chest where I’m pressed against him.
“Fuck,” I gasp, pushing away from him. My legs wobble as I try to find my balance. “That was... intense.”
He turns away, magic swirling around him as the rest of his clothing materializes. “You shouldn’t leave the castle without protection.”
“I had protection. You were there.”
“I won’t always be.” His words carry a weight I don’t want to examine too closely.
“So what, I’m supposed to stay locked up in here?”
“Until we find a way to send you home, yes.”
“I need a drink.” I head toward the kitchen, knowing there’s always wine available.
Jack’s footsteps echo behind me. “You should rest.”
“What I need is alcohol and answers.” I grab two glasses and a bottle of ice wine. “You’re joining me.”
His jaw tightens. “Violet—”
“You just saved my life. The least you can do is have a drink with me.”
To my surprise, he follows me to the small table near the kitchen hearth. I pour us each a generous glass, noting how his fingers brush mine when he accepts his. I watch Jack’s broad shoulders tense as he stands, glass untouched. He walks to the cupboard and starts pulling out items, muttering under his breath .
“What are you doing?” I ask, taking another sip of my drink.
“You haven’t eaten.” His voice is gruff as he sorts through various jars and packages. “The last thing I saw you consume was those cookies this morning.”
“Are you keeping track of my meals now?”
He pauses, then pulls out dried berries and what looks like honey. “I notice things. You prefer sweet over savory.”
My chest feels warm, and it’s not from the alcohol. The fact that he’s been paying attention to what I like catches me off guard.
“Here.” He sets a small wooden bowl in front of me, filled with the berries drizzled with golden honey. “This should suit your tastes.”
“Thanks,” I say, popping a berry into my mouth. The sweetness bursts across my tongue, better than any dried fruit I’ve had before. “Holy shit, these are good.”
A ghost of a smile crosses his face before he sits back down, finally picking up his drink.
“So,” I take a long sip, “how did you become... whatever you are?”
Jack stares into his wine. “I wasn’t always Winter’s vessel.”
“No?”
“I was human once. A very long time ago.” His voice grows distant. “There was a particularly harsh winter. My village was dying. I made a bargain with Winter itself to save them.”
The wine suddenly tastes bitter. “What kind of bargain? ”
“My humanity for their survival.” He takes a drink. “I became this—Winter incarnate. The village lived, but I could never return. My presence would have frozen them all.”
Shit . “That’s... actually really noble.”
His eyes meet mine, surprise flickering across his features. “Most find it foolish.”
“Well, most people are assholes.” I lean forward. “You sacrificed everything to save others. That’s not foolish, that’s brave.”
Something shifts in his expression. “And you? What drives you to heal others?”
“My mom died when I was young. Cancer.” I trace the rim of my glass. “The nurses who cared for her—they made her last days bearable. I wanted to do that for others.”
“Yet you seem unhappy with your choice.”
“I love nursing, but lately...” I sigh. “It feels like I’m just going through the motions. Like there should be more , you know?”
Jack’s fingers brush mine across the table. The touch sends that now-familiar spark across my hand. “I understand the weight of duty. The loneliness it brings.”
“Is that why you shut everyone out? Because you’re lonely?”
He withdraws his hand. “I shut people out because it’s safer.”
“Safer for who?”
“Everyone.” His voice carries centuries of isolation. “My power—what you saw tonight—it’s dangerous. Uncontrollable sometimes. ”
“Bullshit.” I grab his hand back. “You had enough control to protect me. To create that ice dome and transport us here.”
“That’s different. You’re—” He stops, staring at our joined hands.
“I’m what?”
“You’re my mate.” The words come out barely above a whisper. “My power responds differently to you.”
My heart skips. “Is that why I feel warm around you? Even though you’re literally made of winter?”
His thumb traces patterns on my palm, sending an enticing mixture of warmth and chill up my arm. “Yes.”
“Jack...”
His eyes meet mine, and for once, they’re not cold. They burn with something that makes my breath catch.
He pulls away suddenly, standing. “This is dangerous.”
“What is?”
“This.” He gestures between us. “Getting close. Sharing... things.”
I stand too, moving closer. “Maybe dangerous isn’t always bad.”
“You don’t understand—”
“Then help me understand.”
But he’s already backing away, his walls slamming back into place. “Good night, Violet.”
He disappears in a swirl of frost, leaving me alone with two half-empty wineglasses and more questions than answers.