Page 32 of Jilted By Jack Frost

Yeah, no shit.I think of the journal burning a hole in my pocket, of all the ways Jack’s father twisted his understanding of power and control.

“Thanks, Cora.” I stand, my mind already racing with possibilities. “I think I need to do some more research.”

I stride through the castle corridors, the journal’s weight heavy in my pocket. Something about my conversation with Cora nags at me. The timing of everything seems too convenient—Gabriel’s bargain, the warming realm, Jack’s increasing isolation.

I pause mid-step.Wait.

Gabriel knew exactly where to find me that first night. He appeared moments after I settled into my room, armed with the perfect leverage to ensure my cooperation. And his suggestion about transporting me back—the attempt that left me feeling violated and sick...

Son of a bitch.

The pieces click together like a twisted puzzle. Gabriel’s been manipulating both of us from the start. Getting me to help “save” the realm while pushing Jack toward increasingly desperate measures. That bastard knew exactly what he was doing, playing us against each other while pretending to be the helpful advisor.

My hands shake as I pull out the journal, flipping to the last entries. There, in faded ink:

Although I am the only one who recognizes him, my eldest son’s bitterness grows daily. Though born first, the prophecy speaks only of the Winter King with eyes of frost. Gabriel lacks this mark of divine right, and his rage at being passed over threatens to consume him. I fear what lengths he may go to seize power that was never meant to be his.

“Fuck.” The word echoes off the stone walls. My stomach churns as the truth hits me. Gabriel isn’t just Jack’s advisor—he’s his brother. A brother deliberately excluded from inheriting the throne because he wasn’t the one chosen by prophecy. No wonder he’s been so invested in everything going wrong. He’s probably been planning this revenge for centuries.

I press my palm against my forehead, trying to process it all. Every suggestion, every piece of “helpful” advice he’s given... it was all calculated to drive Jack into making choices that would weaken his position. And I’ve been an unwitting pawn in Gabriel’s twisted game of chess.

I need to tell Jack. But how? He trusts Gabriel implicitly, and I’m just the mate he’s determined to reject.

Still, I have to try.

Chapter fifteen

Violet

Ifind Jack in his study, maps of Earth spread across his desk. Crystalline markers dot various locations, but my eyes fix on the cluster over Salida. My heart clenches at the sight.

His shoulders tense at my entrance.

“The storm systems are spreading.” I push through the doorway without knocking. “And I think know why.”

Jack’s head snaps up, frost crackling along his jawline. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Your father’s journal explains everything.” I brandish the leather-bound book. “The warming in your realm, the storms on Earth—it’s all connected to what he did to you.”

“Beforeyou tell me to leave—” I slam the journal on his desk. “Read this.”

He glances at the cover, his face draining of color. “Where did you find this?”

“Forbidden section of the library. Turns out your dad was an even bigger asshole than we thought.” I tap the journal. “He magically froze your heart, Jack. Everything you believe about mates, about showing emotion—it’s all based on his fucked-up manipulation.”

“I told you to drop this.” Ice spreads from his fingers across the maps.

“Did you fucking hear me? He magically froze your heart, Jack. Made you believe emotion would destroy your power, when really—”

“Enough.” His voice drops to a dangerous whisper.

“No, not enough. Gabriel is—”

Jack’s fingers hover over the journal, frost spreading from his touch. “You had no right—”

“And that’s not all. Gabriel—”

“Don’t.” Ice crystals form in the air around us. “Whatever game you’re playing—”

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