"I was having a snowball fight outside and you were casually walking by and oh my god I'm so sorry I accidentally nailed you in the face"

The first decent snow for the holiday season had fallen and Feyre couldn't even enjoy it because once again, Tamlin had business elsewhere to attend to. Sensing her dark mood, Lucien had arrived with supplies to build a snowman and suggested a snowball fight.

It had been fun chasing Lucien around Tamlin's garden, hurling snowballs at each other until Lucien dodged one of Feyre's most lethal throws, and it went hurtling straight into the face of a nearby man.

Rushing over Feyre started quickly brushing off the bits of snow while the man's two, very big and very intimidating friends, howled with laughter.

"Oh my god I'm so sorry I accidentally nailed you in the face!' Feyre said, profusely apologising.

When the man cleared away the remaining snow clinging to his face Feyre immediately froze. Long, snow coated lashes and piercing, violet eyes met hers. He was the most beautiful man she had ever seen. And she had just hit him in the face with a gods damned snowball.

The man also seemed to freeze when he saw her, those violet eyes grazing up and down her body before resting on her face. A pleasant smile broke his stony stare.

They both seemed at once to notice Feyre's frozen hands lingering on his chest from her attempt to brush away snow.

They both sprung apart.

"No it's fine. It's actually rather impressive you managed to hit me."

Feyre fought the urge to roll her eyes as she turned away to head back to Lucien, already overcome with annoyance at the man's over confidence. But a light hand on her shoulder had her turning back to face him.

"On second thought my face does feel a bit bruised," He teased. "But I know a way for you to make it up to me."

A pause while he waited to see if she would take his bait.

Feyre glanced past him at his two friends who were staring at the back of his head, one with shorter hair in obvious shock, and the one with longer hair with amusement.

"The only thing bruised I think is your ego, but sure what could I ever do to make amends for my grievous mistake?' I played along.

"Meet me for coffee. I'll even let you pick the place. Oh and my friends are not invited." He said glancing behind him at the two males who were clearly trying to eavesdrop.

Before I even had a chance to explain that I had a boyfriend, Lucien finally appeared, stepping directly between me and the man.

"She's taken." Lucien practically growled. "Go home Rhysand. And take your lackeys with you."

The two males were immediately flanking Rhysand, violence in their gazes, but Rhysand merely tutted at Lucien before addressing Feyre.

"Such a pretty thing could do much better than you Lucien."

I could feel the embarrassment rolling off Lucien as he ground out through gritted teeth,
"She's not mine. She's Tamlin's."

The two males exchanged glances while Rhysand chuckled.

"Well that does make things more interesting." He said.

But Feyre bristled over the tone that Lucien was using. The way he said she was Tamlin's, like an object and not a girlfriend.

"I belong to myself. I just happen to be dating Tamlin. The two are not the same." She spat at Lucien's back.

But Lucien ignored Feyre, attention now snagging on the two males who seemed to be sizing him up. With Lucien preoccupied, Rhysand neatly stepped around him and prowled a few steps away. When he reached a distance out of eavesdropping zone he lifted an eyebrow at me, coming? It seemed to ask.

Giving Lucien a quick glance to make sure he wasn't about to get into a fist fight, Feyre followed him, stopping inches away. Close enough to feel the heat of Rhysand's warm breath.

"Don't worry about them. Cassian and Azriel won't start a fight," He flashed me a predatory smile, "Unless of course I tell them to."

"Make this quick. What do you want?"

Feyre knew she shouldn't have even followed Rhysand. Even though he wore thick winter clothing she could tell he was powerful. Tall too, around the same height as Tamlin. But the second he'd walked away Feyre knew she wanted to follow him, something deep down in her gut that told her to stay close to him.

"Well now you know my name, it's only fair that I know yours." He purred.

"Feyre. Feyre Archeron."

"Well Feyre, I doubt you'll be able to join me for coffee now, but I hope you'll at least accept this." He said, placing a folded up piece of paper in her hand.

Feyre unfolded it revealing his phone number, surrounded by twinkling stars. She tried to give it back to him, fear curdling her insides. If Tamlin found another male's phone number on her, especially one that Lucien seemed to know and not like, it would not be a pretty argument.

Rhysand read the fear on her face like an open book. Instantly his face darkened with a calm and lethal fury.

"Does he scare you?" He asked quietly.

"No… Tamlin would never hurt me. But he wouldn't like me having this."

Feyre again tried to give it back to him, and again he refused.

"Keep it. Please. You may need it. I want you to contact me if you ever feel… unsafe." His eyes shone with an unwavering promise.

Glancing at Lucien again, Feyre made sure he was still fiercely arguing with Cassian and Azriel before slipping the paper into an inner pocket of her jacket. Rhysand smiled before signalling to the two males.

"Well Feyre Darling, it was a pleasure to have been hit by your snowball. I look forward to it again in the future." Rhysand said.

His grin turned into something more tentative, a small, shy, smile that Feyre knew he didn't show people often, before he turned and stalked off.

The two males stormed past as well, the one with longer hair pausing to give Feyre a wicked grin and wink, before following his friends.