The parlor was huge so the massive group of guests was spread out enough that I could avoid the queen and Alex, who didn't leave each other’s side as they mingled and met with their people.

“Fin, you really should be with Mother, doing the tour of the room and meeting everyone. She’s making it seem like Alex is the daughter-in-law, when it’s you. She’s undermining your relationship with Aiden. And he asked you to marry him; although you guys haven’t gone public, everyone believes it.”

“Mary’s right, Fin,” Dee added before taking a small sip of champagne. “If anyone came here thinking you two were engaged, they’ll leave completely convinced otherwise.”

“And no one likes Alex, absolutely no one. She was a desperate little twat in school who hasn't improved.” Bea glared at me. “And if you let her win, I’ll have you flogged in the streets of St Andrews.”

“Guys, if Aiden is dumb enough to fall for his mom and Alex’s schemes, my being some cheerleader for our relationship isn’t going to save us. And today isn’t about me being engaged or showing the world who I am to Aiden. It’s about Aiden becoming king. I came here to support him. I’ll do that today and figure out the rest tomorrow.”

“I want her dead,” Linna snarled in Alex’s direction.

“Dude, he isn’t innocent in this. He made out with his sister-in-law. And had breakfast with her. Yes, it was undoubtedly a scheme set up by her, but he fell for it,” Jess pointed out.

“She’s right, and I can’t save him from that. All I can do is be supportive of his ceremony and not fall for their trap.” The pity party was in full effect, but I was maintaining my stiff upper lip and saving my hurt feelings for later.

“That was the greatest moment of noble and true British self-sacrifice I’ve seen from you yet,” Dee said with a smile. “Well done, you.”

“Welcome to the club.” Bea nudged me.

“And now, if I could have your attention, please!” the queen spoke to the room. “Mary, darling, can you come up. Finley.”

“Shit,” I whispered and handed my empty glass to Linna and stood, feeling the champagne hitting me a little. I’d had two glasses, but no food. The loss of breakfast, combined with the boy I loved kissing a girl I hated, had turned my stomach. I hadn’t been in the mood for lunch. I reminded myself to have some bread or something after the speech.

Mary and I clung to one another’s fingertips and made our way to her.

“And of course, Alex,” the queen acknowledged her favorite.

Alex curtseyed slightly, blushing like the little angel she wanted everyone to see her as.

“You are all close friends and family, so you know the hardships we’ve faced this last year. And today we are here to celebrate my second eldest boy, now my eldest, as he takes the reins from his father. He is surrounded by people who love him.” Her eyes darted to Alex. “Which he will need in this journey, as he helps our small country become something magnificent. Please take a glass.”

My eyes darted to Mary who also didn't have a drink.

“Here, Fin. Mary.” Alex handed us a flute of champagne from the tray next to where she stood by her mother who had also decided to stand with us.

“Thanks.” I tried not to sound cold but it didn't work.

“And raise your glasses to my son as I raise mine to you. All of you. Thank you for being here, thank you for your friendship, and most of all, thank you for loving my son. To you and my boy, Prince Aiden, as he becomes King Aiden, a man worthy of the love of his people, friends, and family.” Her eyes glistened, my heart wrenched, and my cheeks soured enough that the champagne tasted like hell, but I drank. I suffered through and finished the glass and placed it on the tray, shuddering from the uneasiness I was trying to ignore.

Mary placed her half-finished flute on the tray next to my glass and made a face. “I ate a lemon square before the toast and now my mouth tastes funny.”

“Thank you for coming, Finley. I know it means the world to Aiden,” Alex said loudly before turning and greeting someone else. The queen smiled at the comment and turned away from Mary and me. It was done almost in a way that suggested she was thanking me for being there, on Aiden and her behalf. It convinced me she knew; she knew I saw the kiss and she was rubbing salt in the wound. She was making her play.

The vengeful bitch inside me whispered, Bring it on.

“Let’s get some fresh air,” Mary slipped her hand into mine and pulled me to the side doors that led out onto a massive stone patio sitting area. One of the walls was a fireplace that had already been lit though no one was outside. The moment we got out into the cold air I was grateful. I hadn’t noticed my balled hands were sweating and the room was spinning until we were outside.

Mary dragged me to the fire and we stood next to it. “I can’t stand to be around her and I’m ready to strangle my mother.” She let out a weirdly timed giggle. “I just want to call the both of them out for this little charade they have going. And I want to smack my brother and tell him to stop being so daft.”

“I know. Like no offense. I know she’s your mom, but she’s the devil.”

“Fin, you don't have to say ‘no offense.’ While it is genuinely offensive to call one’s parent the devil, my mother is a conniving witch.” She giggled a little more.

“I think we drank too much,” The sitting area began to spin and I felt lighter, but I shouldn’t have. I didn't care about anything, and smiled genuinely. I was happy. Too happy. But why? “I think we’re drunk.”

“I think so too.” She giggled and flopped down onto the chair next to the fire. “I feel good. Free. I think it’s the snow.”

“The snow is magical,” I agreed, not sitting but wandering away from the sitting area and the fire and out into the flakes. The world became a vortex of falling snow as I stared up into it with my arms out. Tilting my head back, letting the snowflakes fall into my mouth, I tried closing my eyes but it made me stagger. We really were drunk. “Shit,” I said, turning to find Mary was gone. “Mary?”

She shouted from the grounds below, “Fin! Come down here.”

“Coming,” I called back and tried to walk but my body wobbled and my head spun. Clinging to the stone wall, I made my way down the path to the stairs. Mary was at the bottom of them, laughing and staggering as well. “Mary, wait. We’re drunk. We need food.”

“Fin?”

I blinked and looked up. “Mom?” The voice was familiar.

“No, moron, it’s me. Linna. What are you doing?”

“Where are you?” I turned in a circle and then she was there, right in my face. I shrieked and jumped back, falling on my butt, laughing.

“Oh my God, you’re hammered. Did you eat anything after you got sick?”

“What?” I asked, flopping back into the snow. “I think I’ll just eat some snow.” I dug my hand into the bit of snow I was lying in and lifted it to my face, licking it.

“Oh gross. Get up before someone sees.” Linna lifted me, forcing me up but I fell again.

“I don't wanna go inside, Johan. I’m having fun. I deserve some fun,” Mary shouted from below, sounding drunk. Did I sound that bad?

Through the railings, I watched as Johan lifted her into the air as she giggled and flailed. He hurried to the side of the mansion, disappearing.

“Where’d they go?” I asked. “Did you see that? They just vanished!”

“Fin, get up. We have to hide you. If Aiden sees you, he’s gonna kill you.”

“Forget him,” I shouted and swatted at her. “He’s a jerk and I don't think I love him anymore. Okay, I do, but I don't want to. I just want to eat snow and live here, with my people.” I smiled and took another bite of snow.

“Fin?” another voice I knew spoke. “Linna, what is the meaning of this?” He sounded disappointed, making me giggle.

“It’s nothing, Aiden. I have it. Go back inside.”

“Is she drunk?” Aiden was there suddenly, appearing out of nowhere.

“You’re so hot for an asshole,” I said, pointing a snowy flushed hand at him.

“She and Mary didn't eat. The champagne has gone right to them both.”

“Jesus, Fin,” Aiden snapped and lifted me off the ground.

“Don't yell at me.” I tried to keep my eyes open.

“I can’t believe you would do this. Not today.” He did the thing where he said mean things with his eyes.

“She didn’t do this. You did.” Linna scoffed and pulled me from him. “Just go away. You’ve done enough.”

“Excuse me?” He was getting mad, like the real kind.

“Maybe if you hadn’t had breakfast with your brother’s whore of a widow and kissed her, then Fin wouldn't be the mess she is. She puked up her breakfast after seeing that shit, dick.” Linna limped us away. “She’s drunk from a broken heart and an empty stomach.”

“What?” Aiden grabbed me from Linna and carried me on something bumpy. “Fin!” He tried to get in my face.

“I was happier when I didn’t see you,” I said, pushing him away. “You’re making my heart hurt.” The joyous bliss I’d had in the snow was slipping away. My pulse raced and my breath was short.

“You’re making her upset again. Just leave.” Linna shoved him away from me.

“Linna, you have to let me explain.”

“You don't need to, you idiot. We know what happened. You believe any of us is so stupid we didn't see Alex and your mom plotting that perfectly? You honestly think that fucking con job slipped by us? Fin grew up with Sheila. She knows a trap when she sees one. But you, you moron, you should have known better.” Linna poked him in his chest, making him flinch. “You have done nothing but screw with Fin since the day you met her. Lies and secrets and screwing her over. Just leave her alone.”

I felt bad for him but I didn't have words. Linna was a kaleidoscope of anger and moved like a bunny. It was distracting. And I was weak. I wanted to move my mouth and say things. I wanted to tell him that I loved him. Even if he was stupid. But my lips refused to play along.

His eyes met mine, pleading with me but there was legit no way I could respond. “Is this what you want—me to leave you alone?”

Something moved in front of my eyes, blocking him out and making him a blob. I blinked and a cold trickle crept down my cheek.

“Just go back to your party and your people. Your bitch of a mom wins, dude. She wins. She and Alex can have you. You’re not worth this. They’re humiliating Fin on purpose and you’re doing nothing about it.” Linna sounded defeated but I couldn't see her face. My eyes were lost in the kaleidoscope and blurriness.

Crunching snow and kaleidoscopes took over everything.

I wasn’t sure what happened next.

The world went dark, and even in my drunken stupor I knew why. My eyes were flooded with tears. I turned and ran, my feet crunching in the snow.

I followed lights, letting them lead me until I saw a warm glow. A place that said it was happiness, a land of happiness. I staggered through the door, shivering from the warmth inside.

I would be happy here, I could tell.

This was the right place for me.

And no one was going to make me sad. I slumped in a chair by a large fireplace and sighed, letting the fire dance and tell me lies about how everything would be okay.