Page 56 of This Frozen Heart

Bristling, I try to pull away, but Kay tightens his grip. “It would be good to have local citizens influence the policies that affect them too, don’t you think? If there’s one thing Gaelia has taught me, it’s that the only way we can survive is to band together.”

I purse my lips, considering. We can’t exactly stay in the cave under the current circumstances, but if Kay actually gets authority, and truly shares it with us, we can still help the nearby villages . . .

“And what of our ‘betrothal’?” I ask.

“Itisyour choice, for you owe me nothing at all. But why would you not desire my hand in marriage? I already own your heart.”

Shaking my head, I elbow him in the side.

Kay retaliates by kissing me on the top of the head.

Then we make our way to Frode’s camp, where Gaelic rebels and Impariansoldiers share soup and shelter with no price demanded at all.

Epilogue

Kay

Gaelia, during the second year of Emperess Elspeth’s regency . . .

Iknow the moment my chambers are invaded. It’s not something I even need to turn around to confirm. The scents of soap, leather, and pine tell me exactly who my intruder is.

Since I am in no danger, I continue my task. I carefully transport my neatly folded uniforms from my travel satchel and into my wardrobe. I missed my chambers in Ewigkeit; it’s good to be home.

And home certainly needs me. The fortress is never as efficient while I’m gone as when I am in residence, though at least the shipments all came through and were distributed to soldiers and civilians alike. Smalls handles those rations, and he, at least, hasn’t failed me yet.

I’ll have everything else up to code again by sundown tomorrow. Being the youngest Commander in the province gives me no excuse to slack, even if I am still on call for special missions like the one I just returned from.

Suddenly, a cold blade is pressed to my throat, forcing me to cease my labor.

“Your men are growing lax,” Gerta whispers against my ear. “Not a one evenattemptedto stop me from infiltrating.”

“I wonder why . . .” Grasping Gerta’s wrist, I keep it in place while I tear the sheathed weapon away from my throat. Then I use it to twirl her around as I turn to face her.

Gerta fights me unsuccessfully as I back her against the wall. I press her captured hand against the wall above her.

“If I were you, I’d be concerned that one of your men might be trying to do away with you.” Gerta lifts one knee as if to kick me.

I seize it with my free hand— which isn’t easy to do while she wears the glistening gown we bargained from the Snow Queen. Which is strange, since Gerta still claims to loathe it, but I certainly won’t complain.

“I don’t normally manhandle prisoners, little rebel,” I say, leaning toward her. “However, you are the one exception, and I think that might have to do with why you had such easy access to my fort.”

“Oh?” Her eyes spark with a challenge. “And why would that be?”

“My men know you’re my wife.”

Gerta pretends to pout. “You take the fun out of everything.”

“You’re the one who married me despite that.” I press my lips to her waiting mouth.

It’s several moments before Gerta finally pulls away.

“Is it my fault for marrying you,” she asks between gulping breaths, “when it was the choice of being your betrothed or a criminally charged rebel leader?”

“Of course it is.” I press several kisses down her face and neck, following the trail parallel to her braid.“I gave you six months to escape. It is entirely your own fault that you’re bound to me now.”

“You would use my incompetence as an excuse to bind me to you forever?”

“Oh, Gerta.” Releasing her hand, I grasp her other leg and hoist her into my arms, accidentally knocking off her beloved fur cap in the process. “We both know incompetence does notdescribe you. No, it wasyouwho trappedmeinto this arrangement with the second kiss that melted my heart for you.”

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