There was a ball held that night, in honor of the next generation of the Winter Court. Titus dressed in a mimic of Rhysand and Aralyn Feyre. Aralyn hooked onto his arm as they were announced, walking onto the floor. His sister nudged him to the pack of noble ladies that had been batting their eyelashes at him all night. He shook his head, finding a place against the wall and snatching a glass of champagne from a servant. It was his father that found him first.
"You should be out there," he said, "plenty of girls would love to dance with you."
Titus shook his head, staring down at the floor. "I'll pass."
Cassian was silent for a moment, then, tentatively said, "There are also a few males who want to dance."
Titus's heart hammered. "I said I'll pass."
"Suit yourself." Cassian shrugged. "If they were eying me like they are you I'd drop my trousers right there."
Titus blinked, then gaped. "How-how could you say something so vulgar."
"I'm trying to get a smile out of you, idiot. You always seem so down nowadays." He leaned against the wall beside his son, taking the glass from his hands and sipping. "It makes your mother feel bad. Me too."
"I'm sorry." Titus swallowed hard. He looked up, but his father wasn't looking at him.
Danas, Heir to the Winter Court, approached them, bowing formally. Cassian pushed off the wall, striding to where he saw his mate in the crowd. Titus scowled in his direction for leaving him.
"I don't think I've made acquaintance," said Danas. "I was just speaking with your sister. She's very bright."
Titus nodded, watching Aralyn dance with one of the Autumn Court bunch.
"Though, bright things cast shadows. I'm sure you are used to hers."
Titus snapped his gaze to the prince. "Is there something you want?"
Danas smiled. "I was just wondering where your claws are."
"Leave me alone." He felt like a child, being bullied by Aralyn again. "Don't you have my sister to oggle? She's the one that wants it."
As if on cue, his sister sidled up beside the ice prince, gripping his arm. Her short black hair was crowned in a chain of lilies and roses, probably made by Paris. She only glanced once at her brother before whispering into Danas's ear, "Dance with me."
He turned into her arms and then gracefully onto the dance floor. A pool of unease settled in Titus's stomach.
It didn't dry up for the rest of the night.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Tigerlily, having finished a dance with her father, found Titus hours later, sitting outside. She wickedly snatched the mini sandwich from his fingers and popped it into her mouth. "What're you doing out here?" she asked around a mouthful of bread and beef.
"It's very loud in there."
She sat on the stone bench next to him. "It's cold out here, though."
Titus leaned back, taking a deep breath. "I kind of like the cold. How's Aralyn?"
"She's been hooked to the Winter Court's Heir for most of the night."
"And Paris?"
"Flirting with the Dawn Court Heir even though she has a lover back home."
He snorted. "Sounds like her."
Tiger watched him for a moment, then said, "You should come with us later, we're going ice skating."
"I'll think about it." Which was basically a no from him.
She pouted. "You have to go, it'll be lonely."
"Flirt with Danas, maybe you'll get him away from Aralyn."
She made a face. "It's been rumored that he has a preference for males."
TItus knew what she was implying. "He can shove his preferences up his ass."
"I'm sure that's exactly what he does."
He mimicked her earlier face. "You should tell Aralyn that. She seems dead set on thawing his frozen heart, like a fairytale."
"Not all fairytales have good endings."
He chuckled.
Tigerlily looked over her shoulder, finding Paris and Aralyn strolling out to them, arms hooked around each other. "Come on," Paris said, "we're going skating."
"Told you." Tiger smirked.
Titus frowned. "I'll stay here, thank you."
"Nu-uh. I promised Dad I'd keep you with me. Let's go." Aralyn grabbed his arm, pulling him to his feet.
He fought her. "Aralyn, that's not fair. We always do what you want to."
"Please, Titus," she begged, looking innocently at him.
"No. I don't want to." He yanked his arm out of her grip. "You three can go. I won't tell."
"Titus."
"Ara."
"It'll be fun. I won't make you stay for more than an hour. Just do this for me."
His hands shook, denial dying on his lips. He would do anything for her. And… if it made her happy, he'd go.
That was what family was for. Wasn't it?
"Fine."
Aralyn squealed. "Thank you, thank you." She latched again onto Paris, just as Danas strolled through the door hands in his pockets. "We should leave now, before the High Lords notice."
Titus gaped. He wasn't used to being spied on by anyone beyond Azriel.
The Dawn Court Heir followed after him, a beauty with her black hair plaited into braids and her eyes a striking gold. She blew Titus a kiss when she caught him staring. "I'm Mage."
He swallowed, blushing slightly as he looked away.
"Who else is coming?" Aralyn asked no one in particular.
"A few of the Winter Court nobility that can keep their mouths shut," said Danas, leading them along a path and away from the noise of the ballroom.
Titus shrank beside Tigerlily, whispering to her, "I don't feel very good about this."
She wrapped her fingers around his. "You're too paranoid, Titus."
He knew she was right. So he kept his mouth shut as they were led to a frozen over lake, little over a mile away. A few more Winter Court fae emerged from the woods, greeting Danas with grins and clasped hands. They found a box of ice skates buried in the snow, and Titus was briefly amazed that they fit.
He faced one problem though-he wasn't a very good skater. He had only learned because Mor used to take him and Aralyn and he specifically remembered falling flat on his face and breaking his nose.
So Titus stayed on the bench, staring down at the blue and black skates on his feet. It was precisely that reason that he didn't see Danas approach till he slid to a stop right in front of him.
When Titus looked up, Danas's face was inches from his own. "Wanna get out 'a here?"
Titus's eyes widened. "I think I'll stay here." With Tiger and Paris and Aralyn.
Danas smoothly skirted around the bench, as graceful as a dancer, as dangerous as a leopard. "I won't kill you, I promise."
There were some things that were worse than death. "No."
But Danas's icy eyes were alight with mischief and Titus didn't have time to summon his own power before he grabbed him by the shoulders and spirited them both away.
