Page 30 of Jilted By Jack Frost

“You wanted to chat?” She gives me a curious look.

I don’t have time for idle conversation. The ancient words won’t leave my thoughts.She’s just one woman. One life weighed against thousands.

My jaw clenches as I force down the guilt rising in my chest. I’ve spent centuries building this kingdom, protecting my people.I won’t let her destroy it all.The facade of the heartless Winter King must hold, even as something deep inside me rebels against causing her pain.

“Your presence is destroying everything.” I keep my voice cold, distant. “The ice responds to you in ways that threaten the very foundation of this realm.”

Her eyes narrow. “That’s not—”

“You think those frost flowers are beautiful? They’re a sign of decay. Of weakness.” I turn my back to her, unable to watch her expression. “You’re exactly what the prophecy warned about. A poison slowly corrupting my kingdom.”

“Jack—”

“I won’t let you ruin centuries of tradition because you stumbled into a world you don’t understand.” My hands grip the edge of my desk. “You are nothing more than an unfortunate accident. A mistake I intend to correct.”

The silence stretches between us, heavy with unspoken words. When she finally speaks, her voice wavers.

“You don’t mean that.”

I force myself to continue facing her, channeling every bit of winter’s cruelty into my gaze. “I do. You’renot welcome here. Not in my castle, not in my realm, and certainly not in my life.”

Tears freeze on her cheeks—actual ice crystals forming from her pain. Something inside me fractures at the sight, but I push through.

“The servants will move your things to the west wing. Until we find a way to send you back, stay away from me.”

She takes a step backward, then another, her arms wrapping around herself like armor. Without another word, she turns and flees.

The temperature in my office plummets. Ice creeps across the walls, spreading in jagged patterns that reflect my inner turmoil. Gabriel clears his throat. He stands in the opposite doorway from the one Violet fled through.

“Well done, Your Majesty.” His voice carries an odd note of satisfaction. “Sometimes cruelty is necessary to maintain order.”

I glance at him, catching something unfamiliar in his expression. But before I can question it, he bows and leaves me alone with the consequences of my choice.

This is what’s best for the kingdom, I tell myself.

But the words ring hollow, like lies whispered in the dark.

Chapter fourteen

Violet

Ishouldn’t be here.My feet carry me deeper into the restricted section of the library, where Jack’s warnings about dangerous magic echo in my mind.

Yet something draws me forward, a strange tug in my chest that makes my heart pound. I stumble upon a cozy nook between towering shelves of forbidden texts, the perfect hiding spot from Jack’s brooding presence.

Why does this place feel so familiar? Like it’s been waiting for me?The feeling reminds me of that electric spark whenever Jack is near, but I push that thought away. I’m not ready to examine what that means. The section appears untouched for centuries, layers of dust coating every surface except where my hands have disturbed them.

A leather-bound journal catches my attention. The cover is embossed with intricate frost patterns, similar to the ones Jack creates when he’s agitated. When I open it, the pages crackle with age.

The handwriting inside is elegant but hurried, as if the writer was desperate to get their thoughts down. My breath catches as I read the first entry:

My son grows more powerful each day. The ice in his veins comes from my line, but his mother’s warmth still lingers. I fear this combination makes him vulnerable to emotion, to weakness.

The ancient prophecy speaks of one who will bring about our realm’s downfall. One born of ice and fire. I cannot take the risk that Jack’s humanity, inherited from his mother, could fulfill this dark portent.

I must eliminate every trace of warmth within him, strip away his capacity for love and compassion. Only then can I ensure our kingdom’s survival. The boy must become pure ice, or everything we’ve built will melt away.

The words blur as tears threaten to spill.What kind of monster would deliberately try to freeze the humanityout of their own child?My fingers clench the weathered pages, fury building in my chest as I think of a young child, subjected to his father’s cruel manipulation.

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