Page 39 of The King of Frost and Shadows

As soon as the door opened, I saw Tavish pick up the two pillows I’d been using and place them on the bed on top of the comforter.

He stilled, tilting his head. “That was quick. Was something the matter?”

That was a question I didn’t want to answer, so I focused on what I wanted to know. “Am I moving back to the holding cell?”

“If you were going back to the cell, I would’ve put you there earlier.” He exhaled and pulled down the edge of the comforter.

A wall of pillows divided the bed in the center, like a barrier.

He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. “You need good rest so you can heal from your injuries, and you’ll do better on an actual bed.”

My breath caught. “You sound like you might not want me to die.”

He took in a deep breath, and his frown deepened. “I don’t want you to go into the gauntlet without being able to defend yourself. Your death will serve a greater purpose … to save my people. However, the prisoners … they’ll want to kill you out of spite and for revenge, even if you aren’t an actual threat. It’s … not what I intended. I don’t want you to die this way.”

Wow. Even if he was misguided, at least he wasn’t taking pleasure in the thought of my death. Still, I remained quiet, unsure how to respond.

“If you’re uncomfortable and would rather I sleep on the floor, I can do that.” His wings folded tightly behind him.

I could only imagine one of the servants or guards coming in and seeing the king on the floor and me in his bed. I didn’t need their hate for me to increase … if that was possible. I didn’t want to find out. “No, it’s fine.” The pillows were large and fluffy. They created a decent barrier.

“Good.”

“Thank—” I started.

“Don’t.” He lifted a hand. “Don’t thank a fae …ever. That means you owe them, and the last thing I need is for you to be indebted to me.”

For a quick second, an image of a boy popped into my mind, with eyes similar to the light-gray shade I’d seen only a handful of times and a genuine smile … but then it vanished. My ears rang, and I wondered if that had been him.

He gestured to the bed. “Get some sleep. I’m going to get clean before climbing into bed.”

I nodded, and we passed each other. I glanced down, taking in the charcoal gown that covered me. My latest wound was already healing, and the frost-bitten blue tinge had vanished from my hands and feet as well. The water tingling the way it had must have helped heal them. Maybe I should’ve soaked longer, but the thought of Eldrin watching me made me want to vomit. I couldn’t stay in there.

Tavish shut the door, and I slipped into the bed. His scent overpowered me … and made me feel like I was home. The mattress was soft like a cloud, and before I realized what was happening, I fell asleep.

My mind triedto wake me, but my body buzzed, lulling me back to sleep. I felt safer than I ever had since being brought toArdanos.

Ardanos.

The realm’s name popped into my head like it was meant to be there, but when I tried to tug at it and understand why, nothing more came. I had to know the name because Tavish had said it a few times. That was the only explanation that made any sense.

Still, shock opened my eyes, and I stared at the window I’d escaped through last night. My back was to Tavish, and something heavy and cool lay on my upper thigh, causing a pleasant sensation.

My head spun, and I lifted it to see Tavish’s palm resting on my waist and his calf lay across my exposed thighwhere the gown had risen during the night. His foot casually hung off the side.

I looked carefully over my shoulder to see his body pressed up against the pillow barrier and his right arm and leg over it, touching me.

My back was pressed against the pillow barrier. If it hadn’t been there, we’d have been completely intertwined with one another. Thank goodness it was there, but how did I untangle myself without waking him? I didn’t want him to stir and realize what he’d done during the night. After the little bit of progress we’d made, the last thing I wanted was for him to become distant again.

I shifted and wiggled out of his grasp while still pretending to be asleep, but Tavish groaned and tugged me back against the pillows.

Dammit. This wouldn’t be easy.

I froze, listening to his breathing. Fortunately, it was slow and easy.

Good. I hadn’t woken him up.

I bit my bottom lip, debating how to get the hell out of here gracefully.

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