Page 50 of Jilted By Jack Frost

“Pretty words don’t fix everything.”

“No. But actions might.” I hold out the circlet. “This is crafted from my own power, bound with ancient winter magic. By giving it to you, I’m sharing my strength, my kingdom... my heart. If you’ll have them.”

Her fingers brush mine as she touches the crown, and that familiar opalescent glow spreads through the ice. “You risked everything to save me from Gabriel.”

“I would do it again. A thousand times over.”

A tear slides down her cheek, but she’s smiling. “Help me put it on?”

With gentle hands, I place the circlet on her head. The frost flowers seem to come alive, tiny crystals dancing in her hair. She’s never looked more beautiful.

“I promise you, Violet Jones, I will spend every day proving worthy of being your mate.”

Her breath catches as I lean forward, drawn by the way the crystals reflect in her eyes. The scent of her—warm vanilla and something uniquely Violet—fills my senses. My fingertips trace the edge of the circlet where it meets her temple.

“It suits you.” My voice comes out rougher than intended.

“Does this mean I get to boss people around now, too?” A playful smile tugs at her lips.

Even after everything, she can still make me want to smile.

“You’ve been ‘bossing people around’ since the moment you arrived.” I brush a strand of hair behind her ear. “The crown merely makes it official.”

She catches my hand before I can withdraw it, her warm fingers wrapping around my cool ones. “Speaking of official... we need to talk about what happened with Gabriel.”

The name sends ice crackling along my fingertips. “He will never harm you again.”

“That’s not what I meant.” She shifts closer, wincing slightly at the movement. “Jack, he is your brother. All those centuries of manipulation... are you okay?”

Am I okay?The question catches me off guard. No one has asked me that in... I can’t remember how long.

“I should be asking you that. You pushed yourself too hard with magic today. Your body isn’t used to channeling that much power.”

“Stop deflecting.” Her grip tightens on my hand. “I saw your face when he revealed the truth.”

The memory of Gabriel’s betrayal burns like frost-bite. “I trusted him. For centuries, I let him guide my decisions, shape my beliefs.” My free hand clenches into a fist. “I let him convince me to push you away.”

“Hey.” She places her other hand over my fist until it relaxes. “You figured it out. You chose to listen when I brought you the truth, even though it meant questioning everything you believed.” She grins. “Eventually.”

“Too late. You could have died.”

“But I didn’t.” She tugs my hand until I meet her gaze. “And now we’re stronger. Together.”

The word settles something in my chest that’s been restless since Gabriel’s attack.Together. No more isolation, no more walls of ice between us.

The tenderness in Violet’s eyes makes my chest ache. I don’t deserve her forgiveness, not after everything I put her through.

Yet here she sits, still holding my hand like I’m something precious rather than the fool who nearly destroyed us both.

“You were protecting your kingdom.” She traces the frost patterns on my skin. “I understand that now.”

I shake my head. “Don’t make excuses for my behavior. I was a coward.”

“Maybe.” A small smile plays at her lips. “But you’remycoward.”

Her possessive words stir something deep inside me, a warmth previously unfamiliar to my frozen heart. She tries to adjust her position, exhaustion clear in her movements after expending so much magical energy. Her powers have left her drained, yet that teasing smile remains.

“Here, let me—”

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