Jack stared up at the Snow Queen, frozen with indecision.
He knew he didn't know much of anything of spirit politics, kept himself out of them as much as he could, talked his way out or threw a snowball and got himself out of there, but even he knew that he didn't want anything to do with the Snow Queen's Winter Court.
Especially when the ones she sent to drag him there didn't want to take 'No' for an answer. North's bag was bad enough – he'd fallen for that one since he hadn't thought Bunny would be involved in kidnapping him, given how they'd avoided each other since that disastrous Easter with General Winter – but it was gentle, very gentle, compared with how they'd tried to insist.
Though really, they didn't always try all that hard, sort of like the General, running off almost as soon as Jack was ready to fight.
...Given what Jack knew now about being a Guardian, suddenly the whole kidnapping thing took on a whole new meaning, one he would have to tease them about if things eventually worked out.
Urge to tease notwithstanding, Jack was still furious. The teasing could come after, if there was an after.
But Jack had never thought he would be face to face with the Snow Queen unless he found himself dragged to her court.
And Nightlight was coming still.
Did he know? Had he seen the Snow Queen coming? She'd apparently appeared out of the ice and snow, how could Nightlight have seen her coming?
Okay. Didn't matter. Right now, Jack had a bigger decision to make. Fight versus flight, when he knew he couldn't take down the Snow Queen, and there was no way she was going to let him run without a fight.
Talking it was, then. And he had to get out of here before Nightlight got to them, or they'd both be in the line of fire. On the one hand, backup, on the other, he wasn't so angry at Nightlight that Jack wanted to see him hurt, and the Snow Queen could dish out some major hurt when she was inclined.
The Snow Queen gave Jack a smile, coldly indulgent, as if she were looking at a wayward pet. Her mouth was the only part of her that moved, as though she were a statue of ice, not a living spirit. "You've certainly made everyone worry, Frostling" she said, still dismissive, uncaring, condescending. "Everyone will be so happy to see you safe and sound where you belong. As for this little game of yours, it's gone on for long enough, don't you think? Thank the cold it's over. Did you have fun? Did you get it all out of your system?" she asked, not sounding as if she actually wanted an answer.
Jack tried to speak and she spoke over him, still level, as if he hadn't tried at all. "Good, good. That's such a relief. It's time to go home now."
"Hell no!" Jack snapped, taking a step away. "Like hell I'm going anywhere with you!"
The Snow Queen frowned, though only her mouth moved, the rest of her face remaining still. "Language," she scolded, and Jack dodged a blow of icy wind with a yelp. "You have been left alone for too long. You need a reminder of discipline, little Frost. Thank the cold I found you before it was too late."
She glanced up, and Jack fumbled for a snarky comment as she saw Nightlight and her eyes narrowed, one hand raising to point his direction. "Oh, your face isn't frozen like that?" he jibed, throwing his own ice at her.
