Army Of The Winter Court (Skeleton Key)

by Ali Winters

Her mouth dropped open for a second before she caught herself and snapped her jaw closed. Too late, he’d seen, and from the expression on his face, it was a reaction he got a lot.

  He wore an all-black suit in a way that made it come across as casual. He had a strong jaw and prominent cheekbones. Nothing about him stood out as being extraordinary, but all his features together made him hands down the most attractive man she’d ever seen.

  Or, it’s been way too long since you’ve talked to a man. She thought, annoyed that she found herself so drawn to him.

  He cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow as his sparkling blue eyes darted to the bench, then back at her face. A blush crept up her neck as she realized she still hadn’t answered him and choked out a, “Sure.”

  Smooth, Evvie…

  Picking up her bag, he moved it under the bench and sat next to her, so close she would bump him if she moved her arm. Too close… not close enough?

  Stop it, stop fawning over some hot guy just because he asked to sit on a bench. She chastised herself. It really had been too long.

  “My name’s Ian,” he said, breaking the silence.

  “Evvie.”

  “Your name means life, am I right?”

  “Yeah, I think so. I’m not really into that kind of thing.” She reached up and pushed a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear, trying to find something to do with her hands.

  “You’re not into life?” Ian asked winking.

  “What? No, I meant name meanings, that stuff,” she said hurriedly, letting her words tail off as his grin widened.

  “I’ve always believed that a name can tell you a lot about a person.”

  “I’ve never given it much thought,” she said shrugging.

  “It’s fitting,” he added to himself.

  Fitting? She tilted her head to the side,

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Evvie,” he said, ignoring her question.

  “Nice to meet you too.” She held out her hand, dropping it after a moment when he didn’t take it. An awkward smile formed on her lips as she attempted to get past the weirdness of the situation. It was probably all in her head anyway—she’d spent so much time over the last three and a half years locked away in the library or her room, studying. It wouldn’t be a surprise that she was completely out of touch with socializing.

  “So, uh… Are you a professor here?” she asked, taking in his perfectly tailored suit. He certainly wasn’t a student.

  “No,” he said, but didn’t elaborate.

  “Oh… Are you waiting for someone?”

  “Something like that.” The corners of his eyes crinkled as if he’d found her amusing. His mannerisms struck her as odd.

  The faint scent of roses floated past her as a light breeze picked up. It was late in the season for roses to be in bloom, but she pulled it into her lungs, enjoying the sweet fragrance.

  Letting her mind wander, she tried to figure this strange man out. He was talkative but didn’t give straight forward responses. What was his motivation? He seemed to be hiding something, but it wasn’t clear if he wanted anything more than a casual conversation.

  “Your eyes are a stunning shade of green,” he said as he leaned inward, his face only inches away from hers. Her breath caught in her throat as she leaned back.

  “Thank you?” For some reason, her words came out as a question. Turning from his intense gaze, she inched away, trying to put a little space between them. Evvie’s fingers fidgeted nervously with the zipper on her jacket. The longer he sat next to her, the more her mannerisms seemed awkward.

  She shivered and rubbed her arms up and down.

  Breathe, he’s just some random guy.

  Her attempt at relaxing didn’t work as well as she’d hoped.

  “You’re cold,” Ian said frowning. “Let me buy you a coffee—or tea if you prefer.”

  “That’s okay, I wouldn’t want to trouble you.” She braced her hands at her sides on the bench to hide the fact he realized she was cold before she did.

  “It’s no trouble,” he said, placing his hand over hers. His skin lacked the warmth she would have expected, sending a chill up her arm and down her spine.

  “I have to get to class soon.”

  Ian raised an eyebrow, looking doubtful before saying, “If you don’t want to, you are free to say no. I won’t hold it against you, though, I hope you’ll say yes.”

  Who is this guy?

  Evvie contemplated him as he waited patiently with his brilliant, unwavering smile. The chill was starting to get under her skin, so the warmth would be nice. She looked at her watch and checked the time. There was still an hour until she had to meet with her group. A cup of tea couldn’t hurt.

  “Okay,” she agreed. “Thank you.”

  .:。·*இ*·.:。·*இ*·。:.·*இ*·。:.

  Evvie played with the material of her sleeves as Ian browsed the glass case of pastries, waiting for his turn to order their drinks. He said he’d surprise her with a drink he knew she would love, and since it was his treat, she’d agreed.

  The dark wooden walls made the space of the cafe feel warm and cozy. Padded booths lined the inside wall, but she’d chosen one of the smaller two person tables in the corner next to the window.

  She watched him walk toward her, gracefully stepping around the throngs of students rushing about.

  Setting Evvie’s drink in front of her, he sat down across from her at the table. His legs were so long that his knee brushed against hers.

  “Mmm, thank you.” She brought the mug to her face and breathed in––rose tea. She preferred sweet coffee drinks, but this smelled so good that it might inspire her to occasionally try something different. Opening her eyes, she discovered him watching her as a faint smile played on his lips.

  “So, what do you study?” Ian asked leaning back in his chair.

  “Photojournalism,” she answered, her fingers playing with the paper tag on the end of the tea bag.

  “And why photojournalism?”

  Evvie looked him in the eye. He asked a lot of questions, but hardly gave any answers. It was unusual to talk to anyone who didn’t expect her to listen to them talk about themselves. Conversations with classmates usually consisted of them telling her about themselves and checking their phone while she spoke. She considered herself lucky if she got more than a mere “Mmhm” in return. Ian was different—refreshing.

  “I love finding the beauty, and emotion in everyday scenes, bringing it out for people who might walk past and never notice.” She took a sip of her tea, the scent of roses overtaking her senses. “When I graduate I want to work for World Wide magazine. I’d love the chance to travel to thousands of places.”

  “You want to travel?” His eyes lit up and he leaned forward.

  “Yeah,” she said wistfully. “There are so many places I’ve always wanted to see and more I haven’t had the chance to consider even going to yet.”

  “I think you will travel to places you’ve never imagined existed before.”

  She raised an eyebrow.

  “You think so?”

  “I have no doubt about it.”

  The smile on his face was contagious and she couldn’t help the one that formed on her lips in return. Soon, they fell into a relaxed rhythm of conversation and, for the first time in her recent memories, she felt herself connect with another person.

  After a while Evvie looked up and around the room, the clusters of students that had been there what felt like seconds ago were gone, and now only a small handful lingered. Pulling back her sleeve, she checked her watch. It was ten after.

  “Oh crap, I have to go. My group started ten minutes ago.” She stood quickly, her chair scraping across the floor loudly as she bent down, to pick up her bag, slinging it over her shoulder.

  “I wish you’d stay,” he said quietly with one hand outstretched on the table, as if he were trying to keep himself from reaching out and taking her hand.

&nb
sp; She stopped her hurried movements and looked at him, studying his face. Impossibly bright blue eyes, the color of tropical water, watched her as she debated his request. Jet black hair just long enough to graze his ears and a few longer strands on top, brushed across his forehead. Ian was a very handsome man and the thought of spending more time with him sent butterflies swarming in her stomach. She pinched her bottom lip between her forefinger and thumb, trying to decide.

  “I—”

  “I’ll tell you what, if you need to go now, then have dinner with me.”

  “I'm not sure… I don’t really know you.”

  “That’s why we'll have dinner together.” He smiled at her confidently.

  Evvie’s eyes darted toward the doorway. She had enjoyed talking with him and couldn’t remember the last time she allowed herself to go out and have fun.

  “Okay. Yes, I think I’d like that. When?” she agreed, turning to face him again.

  “Excellent,” Ian beamed. “Meet me at the Glass House, in front of the sun sculpture, at seven tomorrow.”

  She grimaced, sucking air in through her teeth.

  “I can’t, I have to work tomorrow night.” Evvie paused at the slight frown on his face as he tried to hide his disappointment. “I’m free Friday. Does that work?”

  “That is perfect.” His smile widened again as he stood. “I will see you in three nights. I look forward to it.”

  “Yeah, me too,” Evvie said, surprised that she meant it. She rushed toward the door, pausing briefly to look back at the man watching her leave.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Evvie

  Nervously glancing at her watch one more time, Evvie tapped her foot. Ian was twenty minutes late. She turned on the heel of her black knee high boots and examined the glass sun sculpture behind her. Swirling tentacles of red, yellow and orange were clustered around the sphere creating a fiery effect, light shining from within. It looked like a cross between the sun and a glowing sea anemone.

  Behind the sun sat the Glass House, dimly lit by the massive red and white chandelier made of glass birds that spanned the length of the building.

  Five more minutes, then I’ll leave… Ugh, why did I agree to go out with some guy I just met? He probably forgot all about me.

  Evvie watched as couples walked through, holding onto each other’s arms, snuggling close, laughing and speaking in hushed tones. That was why she’d agreed; she wanted the chance to be close to someone like that, even if it was just for one night. Evvie tugged on the thick braid that rested over one shoulder and twirled the end around her index finger.

  Pulling her long black coat tighter around her, she felt foolish for dressing up. The temptation to wear more than her standard jeans, a tee and a scarf had gotten the best of her and she’d gone with heels, a red pencil skirt and one of Silvia’s lacy, black, sleeveless tops. Now she felt silly dressed up and standing in front of the giant glass sun.

  “I’m sorry I’m late,” a rich, velvety voice said from behind her.

  Whirling around she tipped to the side, losing her balance on the tall heels she wasn’t quite used to. His strong hands reached out and gripped her shoulders, steadying her.

  “Easy there,” he said smiling.

  “I thought you weren’t going to show up,” Evvie blurted out. His face fell and she immediately regretted her words. It didn’t matter if he were late—it was rude of her and she could have at least said hello first. “Sorry,” she added looking away.

  “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. I should have been on time. Unfortunately, I was unable to get away any sooner.” A knuckle lifted her chin until she met his eyes. “Will you forgive me?”

  Evvie pulled her chin away and nodded, the damp chill of the night air forgotten. The yellow light that radiated from behind her cast an ethereal glow over his face, though it didn’t suit him, it muddied the dazzling blue of his eyes to a dull grey and made his skin appear pale.

  “It’s fine, don’t worry about it,” she said waving her hand dismissively.

  “Have you been waiting long?”

  “No, just a few minutes,” she lied.

  “I’ll make it up to you.” He stepped back and offered her his arm, a smile once again gracing his face. “Shall we?”

  “Mmm,” Evvie nodded and looped her arm through his.

  They started down the path of the outside gardens, tall spires of glass in every color shooting up from the ground, some straight as an arrow, others curled and curved into floral shapes, mixed in between the live plants and bushes of the garden.

  Red glowing glass birds were arranged in a flock taking flight, emerging from one of the trees. Bright pink glass shaped like kelp lined one side of the walkway, its sweeping contours gave it the impression of swaying back and forth between gentle ocean waves.

  “It’s beautiful,” Evvie said breathlessly, awed by the delicate glass work in each and every piece. “I wish I had my camera with me.”

  “I’m glad you are enjoying it. Haven’t you been here before?” Ian asked.

  “No,” she admitted.

  He placed a hand over hers and once again his touch on her skin sent a shiver through her.

  “I’m surprised. With your love of photography, I would have expected you to have hundreds of stunning images of this place.”

  “I just haven’t had the time. Besides, it’s more of a place people go to on dates than by themselves.” She bit down on the inside of her cheek.

  Did I really just say that out loud?

  “So, this is a date then?” Ian teased.

  “Uh… I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it. I thought it was just dinner, but we can call it a date if you’d like.” She paused, and turned to look up at a seven-foot high blue and white dandelion puff.

  After a moment he spoke, his voice thick and low, “I would like that, very much.”

  Evvie looked sideways from the corner of her eye, before turning to face him. “Okay.”

  Somehow, the simple reply she gave seemed to be enough for him. Chilled from the crisp air, she shivered.

  “Let’s see if our table is ready,” he suggested.

  “Our table?” She looked around.

  Please tell me he’s not one of those rich guys who does weird things to try and impress women. She begged silently.

  He pointed up, drawing her eye to the tall restaurant, sixty stories high above them that overlooked the city. A small gasp escaped her lips. Dining up there had never even occurred to her.

  “I suddenly feel very underdressed,” Evvie murmured.

  His hands caressed her shoulders as he leaned to whisper in her ear.

  “Don’t—you look stunning, just as you are.” His warm breath brushed against her ear, sending a tingling sensation over her as goosebumps formed across the skin of her arms.

  Placing a hand on her lower back, he guided her toward the base of the tower and past a wide circular water fountain. It had a simple round base with a sparkling pool of water, one stream of water shot up in the center surrounded by half a dozen small spurts. The sound of the water, a soft symphony, called to mind images of gentle meandering rivers.

  “I want to do something really quick,” she said pulling her purse and digging around until she pulled out two pennies. Grinning, she handed one to him and hurried to the fountain.

  Evvie closed her eyes, then flipped the coin into the water. It hit with a soft splash and sank to the bottom, the golden copper glittered against the light blue concrete bottom. Ian paused next to her and cocked his head to the side.

  “Make a wish and throw it in,” she urged.

  “Make a wish?” He raised a questioning eyebrow.

  “You’ve never made a wish in a fountain before?”

  It seemed strange that anyone could grow up and not have made a wish at least once in their life. She wondered what kind of childhood he’d had that didn’t involve wishes.

  “No, I don’t believe in wishes.” He held his open pa
lm out to her.

  “It’s just fun, I don’t believe in wishes any more than fairy godmothers.” She closed his fingers around the penny. “Just make a wish.”

  He studied her for a moment, looking doubtful. Then, slowly, a grin formed on his face. Nodding once, Ian closed his eyes before tossing the coin in.

  “That wasn’t so bad was it?” she teased, slipping her arm through his again.

  “What did you wish for?” he asked.

  Evvie shook her head, and said with a wink, “Mmhm, you’re not supposed to tell, if you do then it won’t come true.”

  They walked up the steps outside the building and then in through the doors of the rounded glass structure that surrounded the base of the tower. A man in black slacks and a black vest over a white collared shirt stood in front of the elevator. As they approached, he opened the door and let them on. The doors slid closed, encasing them in the very small space. The elevator car rose and the walls of the ground floor fell away to reveal a view of the city.

  A gasp escaped her mouth at the view. Lights from the windows of sky scrapers sparkled against the dark night, twinkling like stars living on earth.

  His fingers pressed into her waist, pulling her closer to his side as she leaned forward on her toes, one hand holding onto the side of his jacket.

  The elevator dinged as they reached the top level. The inner part of the restaurant, blocked the city from view.

  “Do you mind waiting here for a moment?” He placed a hand on her shoulder, halting her.

  “Okay,” she said, watching as he walked up to the restaurant podium and spoke with the maître d’. The man visibly bristled at Ian. Evvie couldn’t hear what they were saying, but a moment later he was smiling and nodding at her date.

  Returning to her, Ian placed his hand on the small of her back, as if he couldn’t help himself from touching her. Each time he placed his hand on her it sent the same shiver through her.

  “Our reservation isn’t for another half-hour; would you like to go to the observation deck while we wait?”

  “That sounds great, but won’t it be cold with the wind?” she asked. Wordlessly, he slipped off his jacket and placed it on her shoulders. “Aren’t you going to be cold without it?” she asked.