Chapter 39 Summit Negotiations : Chapter 39 Summit Negotiations . 58 +20 Free Coins As soon as the carriage door swung open , Fiona chose plain speech over pleasantries . " Harriet , have you settled on a plan for the new storefronts ? " " I've given orders to open a single shop first . If sales go well , we'll add branches north and south of the city . Should the venture lose money , you won't bear a penny of the loss . Lord Soren insists it counts as your fee . " Soren's generosity had strings . He knew Morgan's recipes ensured that Snow - Glow Cream would fly off every shelf . " Thank you , Harriet . " Fiona dipped her head in quiet gratitude . Harriet then said , " However , the profits will have to be a thirty - seventy split . " It was not ideal , but partnering with Harriet spared Fiona endless headaches . A smaller slice of a grand pie beats baking alone . The ascent ended before they realized it ; moments later , their sleds crested Frostenden Peak . Along the trail , crystal sculptures had already amazed them , yet the summit's creations humbled even those . Under a high sun , the carvings gleamed so flawlessly that no one could tell where ice ended and polished emerald began . Harriet gestured toward the lodge doors . " Food will arrive shortly . Rest inside for a bit , Fiona . " A broad bed faced the open window , yet the room held a cocooned warmth . From that vantage , the world below unfolded in tiers of white so exquisite it seemed painted by seraphs . Entranced , Fiona leaned on the sill , oblivious to the sound of footsteps behind her . The newcomer , sensing her reverie , remained silent . In shedding her cloak , she had revealed a travel dress that hugged her frame for ease of movement . The pose curved her hips , cinched her waist , and lifted her chest with a grace at once innocent and striking . Soren had long known she possessed a dancer's silhouette , yet he could not decide whether she flaunted it deliberately or merely by accident . The sight dredged up Soren's fevered dream from the previous night . In that dream , she had looked over her shoulder with languid , smoky eyes and settled beneath him with docile surrender - only to wrinkle her brow moments later and pout . " No more . I'm tired ." 1/3 14:45 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 39 Summit Negotiations Even her complaint had felt like temptation . : 58 +20 Free Coins " You're too heavy , " she had protested , giving his chest a half - hearted push . When he failed to move , she broke into a playful smile . " If you want another taste , you'll have to beg ." He remembered the way he had swallowed his pride , bowing to kiss her softly like a supplicant seeking mercy rather than conquest . She had yielded in an instant , arms rising to circle his neck , melting against him with a sweetness that was somehow both wicked and pure . Then the imagined storm had broken - passionate , sudden , unstoppable - and her breathless murmurs had pooled in his ears , leaving him half ashamed , half aching for reality to match the dream . " Had I realized how fiercely you could fight , Hubby , I would have lured you back to me much sooner . I can think of no man on earth who could ever rival you , " she had said in his dream . Soren blinked , the haze of the vision retreating until his face returned to its usual composed stillness . Yet it troubled him . The same dream had seized him twice now , and anything that persistent rarely proved harmless . Beyond the window , Jade Mountain stretched across the horizon , its snowy spine slicing the sky while Crystal Forest split into glittering avenues below . A lone blackbird - small , dark , determined - climbed the cold currents as though it meant to pierce heaven itself . Halfway up , its wings failed . The body tumbled , a streak of ink swallowed by the treetops . " When a soul holds true ambition , even death loses its sting , " Fiona murmured in quiet admiration . " To perish for a goal is worthy of praise , but reckless courage is hardly a lesson to follow . " A cool voice rang out from behind her . Only then did Fiona realize she was not alone in the wooden lodge . The arrival belonged to a man she found difficult to like . Soren stood framed by the door, draped in a dark ceremonial robe , emerald crown resting over hair - every inch the distant aristocrat . Fiona offered him a shallow nod and nothing more . 2/3 14:46 Fri , Oct 10 Chapter 39 Summit Negotiations : 58 +20 Free Coins Their minds moved along different tracks . For the sake of the Niven family , she would race toward any blaze , even if it cost her everything . The urgent negotiations of their last meeting were mostly settled , so the sharp pressure Soren once carried had cased . During the past few days , Fiona had accepted that clinging to vengeance for Vincent would only chain them all . What mattered was keeping Vincent clear of danger . She must avoid provoking Soren while securing a path of retreat . " Lord Soren , you have chosen an exquisite refuge ," she said , taking the opposite gilded bamboo daybed without waiting for permission . He issued no reply , and Fiona let the silence drift without complaint . " The air bites today . Have you anything warm to eat ? " Fiona asked . " Would roast meat satisfy you ? " he asked , voice even . " Perfect . " Moments later , servants arrived bearing a platter of seasoned cuts and a brazier of glowing charcoal . Fiona remained seated , watching as Soren rose and struck flint to flame , coaxing the coals alive . " Your wound has yet to mend . Allow me ," she offered , tone gentle rather than concerned- kindness cost her nothing . " Naomi never meant to exclude you from the snow - viewing ." His words drifted like falling ash . " She is simply closer to Ms. Roxanne and feared you might feel slighted ." " Roxanne is hardly so petty , " Fiona replied at once , quick to defend her friend . " Indeed ," Soren agreed , a hint of approval lighting his eyes . " Her character would not allow it ." 3/3