Page 43 of Jilted By Jack Frost

I close my eyes, letting memories of Violet wash over me. Her laugh when she called me ‘Your Frostiness.’ The fire in her eyes when she stood up to me. The softness of her lips against mine.

The truth hits me like an avalanche. All these years maintaining perfect control, protecting my kingdom—and for what? To end up alone in a frozen wasteland, manipulated by my own brother?

“Answer me!” Gabriel’s magic slams into me again.

I open my eyes, meeting his gaze. “You’re right about one thing. I am throwing it all away.”

“What?”

“The throne. The power. All of it.” A smile spreads across my face as the weight of centuries lifts from my shoulders. “Keep it.”

Gabriel’s expression twists with confusion. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’ve never been more serious.” I push myself to my feet, ignoring the ice piercing my skin. “This kingdom means nothing without her.”

“You’ll lose everything—your immortality, your magic...”

“Good.”

The word comes out strong and clear, surprising us both. My magic has always been a part of me, as essential as breathing. But Violet... Violet makes me feel alive in a way magic never has.

Gabriel raises his hands, frost swirling around his fingers, and hesitation flashes in his eyes. “I won’t let you leave.”

“You don’t have a choice.” I turn toward the window, toward where I can feel Violet’s presence pulling at me. “I’m done letting fear rule my life.”

Magic explodes behind me, but I don’t look back. My brother can have his throne, his power, his precious prophecies. I choose Violet.

I’m coming, little mate.

The thought flows through our bond, and for the first time, I let myself embrace it fully. The connection blazes to life, filling me with warmth despite Gabriel’s ice magic tearing at my back, pulling me towards Violet.

I smile, feeling more human than I have in centuries.

Chapter nineteen

Violet

Shit, shit, shit.The storm outside the hospital windows is getting worse, not better. Alana and I huddle in the break room, watching the snow pile up against the glass. The wind howls like a living thing, and ice crystals spread across the window in familiar, beautiful patterns.

Too familiar.

My heart skips. Those aren’t normal frost patterns.

The emergency lights flicker, and the whole building groans under the assault of the storm. Several nurses rush past our door, their voices urgent.

“This is insane.” Alana wraps her arms around herself. “We’re going to be stuck here.”

The temperature plummets so fast I can see our breath. The coffee in Alana’s mug starts to freeze.

“Getaway from the windows.” I grab her arm and pull her back just as the glass frosts over completely.

A blast of arctic wind shatters the window inward. Snow and ice swirl into the room, and through it steps a tall figure with frost-white hair and glowing blue eyes.

Jack.

He’s in his true winter form—seven feet tall, blue-skinned, and radiating winter’s fury. But his eyes find mine immediately, and the storm around him calms.

“Violet.” His voice thunders deep in his chest like snow crashing down a mountain..

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