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pinnacle.
    Garick arched a brow, watching as she smoothed her wrinkled dress. “Are you prepared to spend the day with me?”
    “Yes,” she rasped, her throat dry from panting. “I am ready.” A few seconds earlier and she’d have been ready to forego waiting for the marriage and would have been begging him to consummate right then.
    She had desperately needed the release of her tensions. And yet, one look at Garick and arousal began to build again. Her heart pounded, her body flushed with familiar heat. She craved his touch. When he was near, her body responded by heating with desire. What was it about this man who barely spoke to her that made her want him so much?
    Without another word, Garick nodded and motioned her through the doorway.
    Curiosity took over and Noele was anxious to see the castle and grounds. Other than her room and the courtyard, she hadn’t seen much of Winterland. If it was to be her home, she wanted to know everything about it.

    He led her down the wide hallway, pointing to the closed doors on either side. “Up here, as you know, are my quarters. There are several bedrooms. You will sleep in my chambers after our marriage, of course.”
    She looked at him, wondering what he meant by that statement. Was it a given he would want to keep her, or was he just making conversation?
    “You have not yet made claim for me, Garick.”
    He stopped and turned to her. “Of course. You are right.” When he continued walking, her heart fell. His statement had been made without thinking. Clearly, he did not wish to keep her. It was evident from his somber face.
    Did the man have no feelings, no emotions? Could he not see that her very future was in his hands? She walked along quietly, listening to his descriptions of the great hall downstairs, the kitchens, the meeting areas. When they turned to a set of thick double doors and Garick opened them, Noele’s mouth fell.
    It was a huge room, with no furniture inside. The wooden floors reflected the morning sunlight coming in from the tall windows.
    “This is our place for parties, balls, whatever festivities the people of Winterland have at various times of the year.”
    Noele had never been to a ball, or a party. Faerie life was spent mainly outside in the woodland, although they all lived in small cottages throughout the glen. Her mind conjured up great parties where both elvin and faerie mingled, laughing gaily and dancing.
    “Shall we go?”
    Loath to leave, she nodded and followed him through another doorway in the back of the castle. A desk and papers were spread throughout the room, and hundreds of books lined the built-in shelves surrounding the room.
    “I have a gift for you.” He stepped to a paneled wall and pulled it open, taking out a garment and turning to her. “From me, from my people. I am honored that you will be my queen. I present this gift to you in the hope it pleases you.”
    He handed her an ermine cloak. White with silver threads, it nearly matched her wings perfectly. She was awestruck, never having seen a cloak of such beauty.
    “Thank you, Garick. It is truly lovely.”
    “I hope that it will warm you on cold wintry days. The northern climate here is different than your protected forests.”
    She nodded, touched by his generosity. Although the gift was customary, the king was required to choose it himself.
    “I cherish this gift and accept it with gratitude.” Garick took the cloak and folded it over his arms, then directed her attention to the room.
    “This is my place to work, to study. Many of my colleagues also make use of the books of elvin magic.” He turned to leave, but Noele stopped him by placing her hand on his sleeve. She brushed by and fluttered to the shelves, scanning the various titles. Her heart beat excitedly at the sight of so many mystical books. She turned to Garick. “These are wonderful! I have not read a book of enchantment in many years. May I be allowed to read them?”
    Garick paused, then