Chapter 212

Emmeline forced a polite smile, nodding. “I won’t be long,” she repeated.

The second her back was turned to the group, a wave of relief washed over her. She exhaled deeply, muttering under her breath. “I can’t believe I pulled that off.”

The snow crunched softly beneath her boots as she retraced their path back toward the skiing area, her eyes scanning the ground until they landed on the small dark lump of her hat resting innocuously in the snow.

Scooping it up, she brushed it off and tugged it back on her head, glancing around impatiently.

“Where is he?” she muttered, puffing out her cheeks in a huff and brushing away the occasional flurry of snowflakes dusting her coat.

Suddenly, a large hand wrapped firmly around her wrist, startling her. “Follow me,” came the deep, familiar rumble.

Emmeline didn’t need to look to know who it was. His voice had given him away before her eyes could even meet his gaze.

Zavian didn’t wait for her to respond,