Page 55 of This Frozen Heart

We begin crawling, but then torches appear, blocking our way. At least a dozen men surround us.

What if this isn’t a normal regimen. They might be more special forces like Kay.

I glance at Kay, realizing our moment is getting cut shorter than even I anticipated. And now it’s imprisonment for all of us except him.

It looks like he’ll be getting that promotion after all.

“Who goes there?” one of the soldiers demands.

Kay pushes himself up. “CaptainKay of Kleiner House.”

A torch is handed to the man who first spoke, and he steps forward. “Kay?”

“Indeed.” Kay reaches down and pulls me to my feet.

I stare at him, not sure what to do. Pull away and try crawling away or stay here and face my fate like a woman?

Kay leans toward me, gesturing to the man. “My sister. You briefly met before.”

The man turns to me. “Wait, is this—?”

“My betrothed?” Kay tugs me flush against my side. “Yes, she is.”

I look up at him with wide eyes, hoping he understands my complete and utter bewilderment.

Kay leans toward me, his voice a low whisper for me alone. “I’ll give you the first kiss for free, but you knew the price of the second before you took it.”

Not sure whether I want to protest a betrothal or thank him for this ruse, I just stare.

And Kay gestures to my clan. “Her kin— soon to be mine— if you don’t mind letting them stand.”

Kay’s alleged sister frowns. “I’m not sure that is the best strategy—”

“Did you receive a promotion while I was away, Frode?”

“No, sir.”

“Then I am still your commanding officer.” Kay gestures at the men to hold their positions while my people slowly push themselves to their feet.

“Please take us to your camp,” Kay adds, “as we are all exhausted from our run-in with the Snow Queen.”

Frode stiffens. “The Snow Queen, sir?”

“Indeed. She captured me until my betrothed and her kin rescued me. We just came from her palace. I would advise avoiding this mountain in the future.”

With that, Kay turns and starts walking.

The stunned guards quickly get into formation so they can lead us toward the camp.

I glance back at Smalls, who widens his eyes in question.

Shrugging at him, I lean toward Kay. “What exactly is the plan here?”

“Well, I was going to start by debriefing the Snow Queen incident to my commanding officer. Then I was going to see if I could negotiate for that promotion since I did fulfill half my mission and now have experience with the Snow Queen, should she ever become a problem in the future.”

I glance back at Smalls, Bigs, Prince, and Wolf. “No, I mean, what is the plan withus?”

“Well, I’m going to provide food and shelter for you tonight. And tomorrow . . . Well, depending on how the promotion conversation goes, I was thinking of offering employment at my fortress to help keep bandits from pillaging it.”

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