“Naughty little thing, what did you steal this time?” I call as he dashes through the woods.

  A high-pitched squeal has me going on high alert and my magic bursting out of me. My bones break and quickly reform in a seamless transition as I shoot up to full height. When the squeal begins to mingle with the distant screams of my memories, I squeeze my eyes shut. My horns knock against the high branches of a tree, pulling me back from the dark reality of my memories.

  “It’s not real. They aren’t here,” I whisper to myself like a coward.

  I force in a shaky breath as I open my eyes and take in the world around me, proving to myself that the memories of my past are just that, the past.

  “Trees, snow, flowers, hares–” I list the things in front of me with a deep exhale, forcing my brain to catch up to the reality of what’s around me.

  When my breathing returns to normal, I call on my magic to shrink back down in height. Although the forest allows for the height of my full form, it’s an imposing sight at best, and whoever screamed isn’t going to want to come face to face with a twelve-foot giant.

  The steam from the hot spring continues to seep through the trees as I walk in the direction I heard the sudden noise. The panic from the loud sound creeps back in when the once-comforting heat starts to lick at my skin. My magic pulses, and ice forms below my feet. I squeeze my eyes shut and inhale a deep breath.

  Snow starts to fall around me in my own personal storm as I try to rein in my fear. I’ve learned to control my triggers in my solitude, but the panic from moments ago has me shaken and my walls crumbling. The trauma I try to hide has been unlocked, and it keeps flashing across my mind. Fire, death, and destruction blacken my thoughts.

  I exhale a trembling breath as I work through the process of grounding myself. Opening my eyes, I list the things around me for a second time. A technique I’ve learned to pull myself out of a panic attack.

  It took me a year of living here before I could bathe in the natural hot water without a panic attack overwhelming me. The first time I tried entering, I created a small blizzard that lasted for three days.

  I’ve come to love the heat of the water against my cold skin, but when I’m haunted by the memories of my past, it’s overwhelming. The heat is too much of a reminder of that day. Of that village. I can’t even speak its name without wanting to throw up.

  I’ve worked too hard to desensitize myself to the spring for my own enjoyment to lose all that progress now. Instead, I force myself forward. One slow step at a time until my body is no longer shaking, and the forest begins to thin. I can do this. I can help whoever screamed, and I can do it without letting my anxiety win.

  As I approach the final cluster of trees, I peek through the gaps toward the spring to locate the source of the noise, and my focus lands on a frazzled female hiding in the depths of the water. My magic hums under my skin when my gaze locks onto her like it wants to burst out a greet her. I swear to the Fates, the clouds part, and the sun shines a little brighter where she sits. My heart thumps wildly in my chest, my hands twitch with the need to reach out and grab her. Has she cast a spell on me? Is she a siren and I've fallen into the traps of her song?

  I try to step closer, but I’m frozen with indecision when she wades through the water, her curvy frame coming into view as she reaches the shallow end of the spring. Fuck. I need to stop her. It’s obvious she needs help, so I can't turn away, but I don’t want to unwillingly break her trust by taking in her nude form without her consent. Not that I want her to consent. Wait. I do want her consent, but I don’t want to see her nude. Not that she isn't worth seeing nude. It’s me. I don’t want to see anyone nude.

  “Fuck. Get it together, North. She clearly needs help,” I mumble as I shake my head, trying to clear my intrusive rambling.

  As I move forward, my foot stomps down on a branch loud enough that I know the female will have heard it. I watch as she splashes back into the water, her eyes wide as her head swivels in my direction.

  “He—hello? Peppermint?” her sweet voice yells.

  Who the fuck is Peppermint?

  Apparently, I took too long to make my presence known because she begins to trek toward the shore once more.

  “Wait!” I shout, causing her to drop back into the spring again, water splashing toward the edge.

  “W–who's there?” she yells.

  I break through the trees, allowing her to take me in. As I grow closer, it’s obvious from her scent that she’s human, or at least mostly. What is a human doing out here? The only one I was aware of was the yeti’s mate, and last I checked, they weren’t living in the cabin yet. The conditions out here are harsh at best. She shouldn’t be out here all alone.

  “Don’t be scared, little human,” I rasp as she shrinks back. Her fear, though justified, makes my chest hurt. I don’t want to hurt her. I want to help. I always want to help. I don’t mean to scare or hurt those around me.

  “Who are you?” she asks, her eyes so wide it’s easy to make out the unique amber color now that I’m closer.

  “North,” I state, unsure of what else to say.

  “You–You’re North?” she stutters.

  I cock my head to the side. The way she says my name makes it seem like it’s familiar to her.

  “You know me?” I ask.

  “Um, sort of. I’m Elsie. I’m your neighbor, well, kind of your neighbor? Can you be someone’s neighbor if you’re not technically right next door to each other? I mean, we are close enough to walk to each other’s cabins but not close enough that we live next door to each other. Not that I plan to walk to your cabin, of course. Well, unless you need something. I wouldn’t be rude and ignore you. Not that you would need anything from me,” she rambles.

  I can’t help the smirk that pulls at my cheeks as I watch her. Cute. She’s really fucking cute.

  Wait, shit. Fuck. No. She does not need me thinking about her like that.

  “You belong to the yeti?” I spit before I can catch myself. It doesn’t matter if she’s with the yeti. She’s not mine. She can’t be mine.

  “Uh, no. I don’t belong to anyone. Wren is my brother.” She huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.

  Feisty little human.

  “I didn’t realize he had moved in,” I state.

  “Um, he hasn’t. He and Elon are letting me stay at the cabin for a while,” she replies nervously.

  “Well then, welcome, little human. Do you need help?”

  She huffs as she stares at me before offering a small nod.

  “Yes, please. Peppermint stole my clothes.”

  Again, who the fuck is Peppermint? Then I recall Casper sprinting past me with something clasped in his jaw.

  “Do you mean Casper? He stole your clothes?”

  The glare she levels at me has me barking out a laugh before I can contain it.

  “Peppermint–” she enunciates slowly, “stole all of my clothes. I thought we were friends, but then she took off with them and left me here stranded and naked. She was a very rude fox.”

  “Fine, Peppermint it is. Let me help you,” I concede. Dropping to my knees on the rocky shore, I pull off the knapsack tied to my back, careful to avoid hitting my staff and dig my hand inside the magical pouch. When I moved out here, my mom thought it was important for me to bring everything from home with me, and the only way to do that was by using an enchanted bag that she bought from a coven near our house. The enchantment allows it to hold an unlimited amount of things, and it’s one of the few possessions I’ve come to rely on.

  The soft material of one of my blankets glides through my fingers as I grasp it, pulling it out to present to Elsie.

  “Here, this should keep you covered until I can get you home,” I say as I show her one of my creations, tossing my bag back on my shoulders.

  “Thank you,” she says with a sigh as she lifts herself out of the water, moving toward the rocky ledge without warning, offering me an unabashed view of her body.

  I slam my eyes shut, my cheeks burning hot. Fuck. She’s perfect.

  Even from that quick glimpse, there’s no denying her beauty. Her soft curves and rose-tipped breasts, partially hidden by her long blonde hair, have my mouth watering. I shift a little, hoping to shake off the sudden burst of arousal that courses through me. The last thing she needs is a monster like me salivating after her. She’s much too sweet for someone as horrendous as me.

  “North, are you okay?”

  I grunt as I stand to my feet, keeping my eyes closed out of respect for her and the sake of my own sanity.

  “Let me know when you’re covered, Elsie, and I’ll walk you home,”

  I feel something lightly touch my forearm, which causes me to jump in shock and my eyes to burst open. Her hand is gently resting on my arm, and I’m happy to see her wrapped up in the large blanket. Why would a beautiful creature such as her touch me?

  “Thank you, North. Truly. Your kindness is more than I could have hoped for,” she says with a wide smile.

  My cheeks feel like they are burning again, so I turn my head to cough into my fist in an effort to ward off the feelings she’s stoking within me. What a curious little human she’s turning out to be. It’s like she doesn’t care that she’s standing vulnerable in front of a monster, and I don’t just mean my form.

  “Yes, well, it’s the right thing to do. I couldn’t just leave you out here.”

  She sighs, turning to face the forest and blocking my view of her face.

  “Not many would show the kindness you have toward me today. I just—I appreciate it more than you know.”

  What does she mean by that? Who could look at someone as sweet as Elsie and be anything but kind?

  “Let’s get you home. I don’t want you to freeze out here. Next time I see your brother, I should punch him for leaving you out here alone.”

  Her tinkling laugh takes me aback as she reaches out to touch my arm once more.

  “Thank you for defending my honor, but it’s fine, big guy. Trust me, he’s done me a huge favor.”

  The fuck does she mean by that?

  “Is it okay if I carry you?” I ask, hoping to the Fates she says yes. The idea of her walking back to the cabins in just a blanket has me wanting to climb out of my skin. I refuse to analyze why that is right now or why the idea of her being vulnerable and cold has my magic humming underneath my skin. This little human has cast a spell on me, she must be part witch. It's the only explanation.

  She chews her bottom lip as she stares at me for a second before offering me a small nod.

  “Words, little human. You’re practically naked. I need you to verbally tell me it’s okay,” I demand before I can help myself.

  She beams up at me, making my chest feel so tight that I lift my hand to try and soothe the phantom ache.

  “You can absolutely carry me. I was panicking over how to get home without clothes before you came,” she assures with a laugh.

  With a sharp nod, I bend down and pick her up, careful to ensure she stays wrapped in the blanket. Right now, I really wish my magic wasn’t based around ice. I’d feel much better if I could keep her warm against me.

  “This okay?” I whisper as I look down at the precious bundle in my arms. Her long eyelashes flutter against her plump cheeks as she blinks up at me, her hand lifting to wrap around one of my braids. Her fingers trace the divots, stopping at the leather band tying the hair together before shifting back up to start again.

  “Perfect,” she replies, sounding a bit breathless as her cheeks turn pink.

  I squeeze her tighter to my chest and start to walk through the forest toward our cabins, ready to get her somewhere warm.

  “Wait!” she yells as she shifts in my arms, her hand pulling the braid still clasped in her fingers.

  “What? Are you okay?” My throat tightens, and I wonder how I could have hurt her in the few seconds she’s been in my arms. Did I squeeze her too tight? I didn’t feel my magic do anything, so what could I have done?

  “My boots. I left them by the water,” she grumbles.

  I swallow down my panic as I turn back to grab her boots. I shift her in my arms, pressing her tighter to my chest, as I hook my fingers into the tops of her shoes before standing back up.

  “Anything else, snowdrop?” I ask before I can catch the term of endearment.

  “Snowdrop?” She laughs.

  “It’s—It’s my favorite flower. You smell like them. Sorry, I didn’t mean for that to slip out,” I mutter, refusing to make eye contact with her.

  She tugs on my braid until I’m forced to meet her eyes. This close, I can make out bright gold and deep brown flecks that hide within the unique amber color, enhancing their beauty.

  “It’s okay, big guy. I like it,” she says while beaming at me.

  Fuck me. I am so screwed.

  With that thought in mind, I begin the walk back to our cabins, making sure to stay on the worn trail. I refuse to risk stumbling on any obstacles that could cause me to drop her.

  “How did you find me at the hot spring? Not that I’m not grateful!”

  “I was out hunting for caribou or moose when I heard you,” I answer, hoping to avoid discussing my failed venture. Could I have hunted the hares I found? Sure, but what fucking psycho hunts a family of baby bunnies? Better to just avoid the whole conversation.

  “How long have you lived out here?” she asks.

  Inquisitive little thing. I scrunch my eyebrows; I don’t actually know how long I’ve been out here.

  “A long time, little one. Too long to keep track of.”

  “You must love it. I’ve only been here two days, but it’s so peaceful. The outside world is beautiful. I really love the snow.”

  I jerk my head back before looking down at her.

  “Was there no snow in your village? I assumed you’d lived in a similar setting with your brother being a yeti.”

  She offers a derisive laugh, her free hand pressing against her cheek.

  “Oh, well, I suppose. I guess I just didn’t get the chance to enjoy it,” she rushes to add, but I can sense her hesitation to explain that statement. There is a lot she’s leaving out.

  “Was your village similar to this?” I press as I come to the surprising realization that I want to know everything about her.

  She offers me a hum of acknowledgment but avoids answering further as her grip on my braid tightens.

  “My village is a lot like this. Frost giants need the cold to flourish, so when I was looking for somewhere new, I was happy to find this place. It reminds me of my home. It’s also why I sold a piece of my land to Wren. Figured he needed something that reminded him of his own village,” I offer, giving her a small piece of my story in hopes she’ll speak to me again. I hate that our conversation has stilted because I decided to push. For some reason, I like talking to Elsie. I want her to like talking to me. I don’t want to be the reason she has no voice.

  Before I can speak up and beg her to talk to me, to continue our banter, her soft voice rings through my ears.

  “What made you leave home?” she whispers.

  This time it’s my turn to go quiet, unsure how to answer what should be such a simple question. Unfortunately, there is no answer I can give that wouldn’t cause her to be afraid of me. And as much as I shouldn’t care, I do. Elsie fearing me would be the final nail in my coffin, the last thing to push me past the point of breaking.

  I let the noise of the forest fill in the gaps of our conversation, unsure how to push past this without making it obvious I was avoiding her question. Although, not answering probably makes it obvious enough.

  “I'm sorry,” Elsie says quietly as her fingers leave my hair to drag across my cheek.

  I gulp before looking down at her.

  “Sorry for what? You didn’t do anything.”

  She gives me a weak smile as she continues to lightly stroke my cheek. Her eyes suck me into their depths, revealing a soul weathered and broken like mine. There is a sadness hidden inside of her that calls to mine. I lean in slightly, enjoying the feel of her touch. When was the last time someone touched me?

  “I made you sad.”

  This. Fucking. Human.

  “You didn’t make me sad, little one. My past did. I’m not—I’m not a good man. I want to be; I try to be, but I fuck up more than I should and people get hurt.”

  “Oh, North. Don’t you know that trying is what makes you a good man? So many others in our cruel world wouldn’t even bother. They purposely hurt and destroy everyone and everything around them for their benefit, uncaring how it affects those who cross their paths. I don’t know about your past, but I wish I did, so I could reassure you that you are, in fact, good. Please don’t let your past haunt your future.”

  I suck in a breath as her words hit me before squeezing her a little tighter in thanks. I’m not a good man, and I don’t think she’d be saying that if she knew my sins, but her kindness still leaves me speechless.

  The rest of our walk passes in comfortable silence as I replay her words on repeat in my head. Would my mom agree if I asked her? Would Cyra?

  As her cabin comes into view, I slow my steps. I’m not ready to let go of my little human. Fuck, not mine. She. Isn’t. Mine.

  “Do you mind if I carry you inside? I don’t want to set you down in the snow without shoes, and you don’t have a porch. I should build you a porch so you can sit outside with the snow since you like it. I should have made sure Wren had one. I’ll chop wood tomorrow for you.”

  Her laughter floats up around me, causing me to smile.

  “You can take me inside, and you don’t have to build me a porch, big guy.”

  Yes, I fucking do need to build her a porch, but I’m not going to argue with her about it today. That can happen tomorrow after I chop the wood for it.

  I push open her front door, setting her gently down inside without entering her home.

  “Would you like to come in?” she asks softly.

  “Not this time, snowdrop,” I say as I turn to leave. Her hand, grasping my forearm, stops me.

  “Do you need something else?” I ask as I cock my eyebrow, watching her bounce on her toes, a blush painting her cheeks. Does she need to pee?

 

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