Free Frost Kisses (Bitter Frost #4: Frost Series) by Kailin Gow

what he was thinking. He had participated in this skirmish. He had killed some of those Summer Knights. “It was here that your voice...came to me. After your death, Winter and Summer again clash in battle, and I was to lead the Winter Knights in defending against Summer. Breena, after your death, your people wanted revenge, wanted Summer to avenge the death of their Queen. Winter fought in defense. I didn’t mean to kill anyone – they besieged me, had I not been faster with my sword it would be my blood there now.”
    I loved Kian, but I also loved my Summer denizens. “Kian,” I said. “I don’t blame you for anything. I understood what happened. It is true, if my Summer Knights did not attack you, you would not have to defend yourself.” I said to him. “We'll both try even harder for peace. It's got to happen – it's just got to! It's not your fault. But we have a long way to go. We both know that.”
    We dismounted the horse and went over to the site of the battle. We both cast our eyes downwards, whispering prayers for the fallen soldiers, Winter and Summer alike.
    I was shivering. There was so much blood around us…silver blood that leaked like a river glistening in the sun. I looked away.
    Kian touched my shoulder, his caress full of tenderness. “I’m sorry for my part in this, Breena. I would do anything – whatever it takes – to make sure that our children never have to suffer and risk their lives the way these soldiers have done.” He took my hands, bending down on one knee. Silver blood stained his trousers, but he didn't care. He looked up at me, his eyes full of light and love. “Just tell me what to do to earn your love. Your passion, your love, your trust, everything.”
    “Just love me,” I said. “And help me. That's all I ask. Believe in me – believe that together we can do this.”
    “I do that already,” said Kian fiercely, his eyes shining bright with the force of his passion. He leaned in and kissed me softly, and then with greater passion. “I love you with all my heart, Breena, the Queen of Summer and of this Winter Prince’s heart. For all those who died here, loyal to the kingdom of Summer and Winter, your deaths were not in vain! We will seek the peace our kingdoms deserve…that Feyland deserves.” He gripped Breena’s shoulders. “We were very close…so close to achieving it, Breena. We cannot lose hope. We will not be tricked by the likes of Delano or Wort ever again!”
    At the name of Wort, we heard a familiar chuckle behind us. Too-familiar. We both whipped around, only to find the toad-like pixie himself leering at us. He was at the head of a band of five Pixies.
    Of course! I gritted my teeth. Delano had promised with a pixie oath not to follow me with his men, but he hadn't said anything about Wort. I knew Pixies weren't to be trusted – even when making oaths. They were too tricky for that.
    “So it was true,” said Wort softly, almost amazed. “You did have the Winter Snowflake on you. Delano wasn't lying. Lucky for him, I suppose. He's the one who cares about keeping you alive. He wouldn’t have gone through with stabbing you, if he didn’t think you could be brought back. I, on the other hand, would be happy to run you through with a sword. Guess he thought he still has a chance with you.”
    Wort jumped off his horse, landing on the ground lightly. His pixie men did the same, leaping off with a grace unlike the Pixies Breena had seen at Delano’s castle. “You know, he is only half-pixie. Had everyone fooled, but I know. He’s got fairy blood in him, which explained his weakness to you, Breena. His slight madness, when it comes to you. Pity he is the favorite son of our father’s who took a fairy for a concubine and made her son Delano, the King. For that, we never got along. And because of that…I do not like fairies.”
    “What do you want, Wort?” My sharp voice put an end to his ramblings. “You and Delano already killed me once. It's