Page 56 of The Alien's Cruel Starfrost Domain

I tell myself this even as she moves past me, her steps quick and determined as she disappears down the nearest hallway.

At the top of the stairs, Uanna pauses and looks back down at me.

“I do hope you know what you’re doing, Ivrael.” Her smile is cruel. “Prince Jonyk has such particular views about maintaining appropriate emotional distance from one’s servants.It would be a shame if someone were to mention any impropriety to him.” Her nostrils flare and her eyes glint with an unholy pleasure as she says, “He might insist you give your favorites to him.”

The threat hangs in the air between us. I meet her gaze steadily, letting my power rise until frost crackles along the banister beneath her hand, the threat unspoken but very real. She’s in my domain, and I hold all the power.

After a long moment, Uanna jerks her hand away from the frost-covered rail, her expression somewhere between hurt and angry. “Fine,” she says. “I’ll stay in the east wing.”

I click my heels together as I give her a formal bow. She spins away without another word, following Khrint the rest of the way up the stairs and then down the hall toward the east wing, and I wait until they’re out of sight before allowing my shoulders to slump.

Goddess help me, but I don’t need this complication. Not with Baron Svalkat here. Not with Jonyk on his way. Not with Lara’s sister’s birthday approaching and my plans balanced on a knife’s edge.

And certainly not with the way Lara looked at me just now, her eyes full of fire that makes me want to burn everything to the ground—my plans, my duty, my entire frozen world.

For her.

I drag a hand down my face and turn toward my study. I need a drink.

And I need to figure out how to keep Uanna from discovering exactly what I have planned for the Evans sisters.

Because if she does—if anyone in the Ice Court does—everything I’ve worked for will crumble.

Dinner several quintclicks later is pure torture. Uanna sits to my right, Svalkat to my left, and I find myself wishing I could freeze them both solid and be done with it.

“Tell me, Baron,” Uanna says, lifting a delicate forkful of the frosted fowl to her lips, “how are things progressing with yourpetition to Prince Jonyk regarding the southern ice fields?” Her tone drips with false sweetness.

Svalkat’s nostrils flare. “Quite well, actually. His Highness was most receptive to my suggestions for expanding the mining operations.”

“Oh?” Uanna’s eyebrows rise. “That’s not what I heard. In fact, when I spoke with him just last ten-day, he mentioned concerns about your…” She pauses and pats her lips with a napkin. “Management style.”

I take a long drink of wine, wondering if it’s too early to call an end to this farce of a meal. Through the kitchen door, I catch a glimpse of Lara handing platters to the footmen as they bring in the next course. Even that brief sight of her sends sparks coursing through my veins.

“I wasn’t aware you spent so much time with His Highness,” Svalkat says, his voice edged. “Tell me, does Lady Qarine know how often you visit the prince’s private chambers?”

Uanna’s cheeks flush pale blue with anger. “I serve as Lady Qarine’s confidante. Unlike some, I don’t need to scheme my way into the prince’s presence.”

“Enough.” I slam my goblet down harder than intended. Wine sloshes over the rim, staining the white tablecloth. “I have no interest in court politics tonight.”

“Of course not, darling.” Uanna places her hand on my arm. “You must be so tired of it all, stuck out here in this wilderness.” Her fingers trail up to my shoulder. “I worry about you, you know. All alone...”

I shake off her touch. “I’m hardly alone. I have an entire household.”

“Yes.” Her gaze cuts toward the door into the kitchen. “So I’ve noticed.”

“Speaking of households,” Svalkat interjects, clearly delighted by the tension between us, “I heard the most fascinating rumor about your new acquisitions, Ivrael.”

My jaw clenches. “Did you?”

“Oh?” Uanna leansforward. “Do tell, Baron.”

“I don’t believe I will.” Svalkat smirks. “His Lordship seems rather protective of his servants’ privacy.”

“How considerate of you.” I don’t bother hiding the menace in my tone. “Though I wonder what Prince Jonyk would think of your methods for gathering information about his nobles.”

Svalkat’s smirk falters. Good. Let him wonder how much I know about his spying. In truth, I know very little. But my shot in the dark seems to have hit a target, nonetheless.

“You’ve changed, darling.” Uanna’s voice goes soft. “You never used to be so harsh.”

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