Page 57 of The King of Frost and Shadows

“Yes, I promise. I won’t change how I react to him or treat him differently while I countthe days until I can provide justice for what he’s done.” He exhaled. “If it’s who I suspect, I need to know.” His irises darkened, reminding me of the night sky. Before I could say a word, he asked, “Was it Eldrin?” He flinched, prepared to hear the answer.

My stomach dropped. I hadn’t expected him to suspect his own family. I opened my mouth to say no, forgetting it wouldn’t work. He seemed to be bracing for betrayal, and I didn’t want to do that to him. But then I couldn’t make a sound, no matter how hard I tried, so I only had one choice, to tell him the truth. I nodded. “He hid in the shadows, and I didn’t see him until he attacked me.” My voice broke.

His chest heaved and his nostrils flared. He released me, stepping back as his face turned faintly purple. Then he pulled his hair at the roots like he was crazed. “He had to try to test me once again, and I can’t do a blasted thing about it.”

Heart hammering, I regretted telling him. The turmoil on his face had me wanting to close the distance between us, but the blood crusted all over me kept me in place. “Forget I said anything.”

“I can’t.” Tavish’s wings expanded behind him, their size massive and commanding. “The wildling doesn’t deserve his affinity to darkness. He’s not worthy of that power, not after what he’s done to us.” Darkness ebbed around his body, blending pieces of him into the surroundings. “But my hands are tied.”

“What do you mean?” Despite not being around Eldrin and Tavish together often, even I could tell that Eldrin disagreed with most of Tavish’s decisions. He scowled or frowned, and I couldn’t remember him once ever offering praise.

He looked at me. “He saved my life, and I owe him.” His head and wings hung like the weight of the world wasbearing on him. “I owe him, and he reminds me of that often. If I didn’t, he’d already be dead. Now he’s taking advantage of the situation … and my wings are clipped.”

I stared at Tavish. Was he regretting the way he’d treated me? I wanted to ask him more but now wasn’t the time. I was barely hanging on to my sanity.

“What can I do to give you a piece of your safety back?” Tavish placed a hand on his chest and leaned toward me. “Other than ensure you’re never left alone like that again? Someone I trust will always be on the other side of the door when you bathe so you can call for assistance if you don’t feel safe.”

I blinked, unsure how to respond. Maybe I’d be safe here, yet I’d soon be heading into the second part of the gauntlet. I suspected I wouldn’t make it out alive, though I had no intention of not fighting. “Nightbane.”

“Nightbane?” He froze and raised his brows. “The cù-sìth?”

“He’s tried to protect me several times, and I don’t want another person in here while I bathe.” Not only did I trust Nightbane, but I feared what trouble he might be in for protecting me.

“I’ll make it happen.” He headed out into the bedroom, and I heard the bedchamber door open. Tavish growled, “Bring Nightbane to me. I heard what happened earlier and need him brought here.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Finola replied, and the door shut again.

With Tavish nearby and knowing that Nightbane was on his way, my entire body felt lighter. My pulse leveled out when Tavish carried in a dark-gray gown. He placed the dress in the closet, allowing it to hang down. “It appears youforgot something in the room where Finnian remained,” he said tersely.

I mashed my lips, trying not to smile. I had no doubt he was thinking about when he’d walked in on Finnian attempting to help me get dressed when the skirt got stuck to me. “I was going to ask Finnian to hand it to me. I didn’t want to touch it.” I raised my hands, emphasizing the blood on them.

“You could wash them off.” He leaned back and scowled.

Point taken. “True, but between Eldrin and today’s events, my mind was elsewhere.”

I hurried to the sink and turned on the water then scrubbed my hands. I’d rather not bathe in blood-soaked water.

I looked in the mirror, taking in my blonde hair, which seemed brighter and fuller despite not getting any sunlight. My emerald eyes seemed brighter too, and my complexion had turned a shade darker … or was the dirt on my face providing that illusion? I’d go with that, especially with the honey-toned blood that had dried on my face.

Another reminder to them that I was Seelie and proof I couldn’t claim to be human. Not anymore.

Someone knocked on the door before it opened. A familiar snarl sounded as Nightbane entered the room.

“He’s here, Your Highness,” Finola called out. “And angrier than usual.”

“Don’t worry,” Tavish answered. “I’ll handle him from here.”

The door shut, and Nightbane sniffed. Before I realized what was happening, the enormous animal came rushing into the bathroom. His glowing lime eyes faded to a normal color as he ran to me.

I smiled and bent down, petting the animal. A warmzingshot from inside me, through my hand, and into Nightbane.

“I’ll be right out here,” Tavish said, and he shut the bathroom door behind himself.

After scratching Nightbane’s ears, I stood and removed my clothing. As soon as I peeled the layers from my body, I eagerly stepped into the water, ready to wash off the day.

And if I spent part of the bath wondering about a certain aggravating fae king who became more contradictory and ornery the more time I spent here, well, that was my secret to keep.

I spunthe sling then jerked my wrist forward. The ice spike swirled around and hit my attacker in the neck. Blood squirted, and his eyes widened as he reached up to stop the bleeding.

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