Page 12 of The King of Frost and Shadows

He straightened, his irises turning a light gray reminiscent of twilight. “Sprite, do you truly believe this child’s toy can harm me?”

My stupid stomach fluttered again, and I rememberedsomething the wise Halsey once referenced in one of her songs, she sang about red flags feeling like butterflies. I understood the lyrics perfectly now, and even though he’d used that nickname in a condescending way before, it didn’t feel like that now … or I wanted to believe that was the case.

“Tavish,” Eldrin snapped.

Darkness rolled back into Tavish’s eyes, and his features turned stony again. The man who both intrigued and terrified me fell back into place and I appreciated my internal temperature returning to normal.

“That isKingTavish, even to you,” he snapped. “Or should I remind you again?” He arched a brow at the white-haired man.

The man flinched and rubbed a spot on the right side of his chest. “No need,My King.”

With the way Tavish held himself so rigidly, I was certain the man I’d seen just moments ago had been a figment of my imagination. When he turned his attention back to me, I wanted to disappear into the darkness, which made me clench my jaw tighter, determined not to let him see that he did, in fact, make me uncomfortable.

Dad had told me that any sign of fear made predators want to hunt and break their prey more. They’d signed me up for many self-defense classes, including kickboxing, and we’d sparred in the backyard most weekends. Each time, we’d chanted the same mantra at the beginning and end:Show no fear and do what you need to in order to survive.

“I severely injured and possibly killed one of my best guards because he hurt you and wanted to do more.” He sheathed his sword back at his side like he wasn’t threatened by me at all. “And this is the thanks I get. Did they not teach you manners on Earth?”

My mind swirled, making me dizzy. “You want me tothank youfor kidnapping me, taking me away from my family, allowing me to believe I was falling to my death, and locking me in a room where I can’t even piss in privacy and am surrounded by men who want to hurt me, includingyourself?”

Damn. Had I known this was my future, I’d have gladly stayed home for New Year’s and hidden under my covers. I wanted a redo and to get away from all the craziness.

“Oh, it’s not just the guards.” Tavish smirked and crossed his arms. His biceps bulged even under his shirt. “It’s every person in Cuil Dorcha.”

“Cuil Dorcha?” I parroted, not lowering my hand. I refused to admit defeat with my pocketknife. I had no clue why. I needed to either wake up from this nightmare or find a way to escape and get back home. The main problem I faced—if this wasn’t a dream—was getting back to whatever portal, magic, transporter, or beam I’d gone through to get here, and it had been high in the sky.

“Oh, dear Fate.” The white-haired man rolled his eyes. “This is more pathetic than I expected.”

“Quiet,” Tavish growled. “Eldrin, do I need to teach you how you are to talk to her?”

My breath caught, and that strange pleasurable pressure returned.

“She ismineto break in whatever time and way I choose,” he said and stepped toward me.

Stomach dropping, I inhaled, needing my head to remain clear. One minute, he was protecting me, and the next, he made it clear he wasn’t doing it from a place of caring.

“Cuil Dorcha is the name of my kingdom.” Tavish leaned back, his dark wings folding tight into his back,blending in with his shirt. Darkness clung to him more than it had yesterday, which shouldn’t have been possible.

Of course he was aking.This was his kingdom. The memory of the dark houses with barely any light sent a chill down my back.

“Put down the toy before my patience is gone.” He tapped a foot on the floor, the tip of his black boot hitting the edge of the puddle of blood. He didn’t even blink, as if the blood and mangled wing weren’t anything out of the ordinary.

Bile churned and burned my throat. What sort of man … fae … fae man was I dealing with? Worse, he was in charge, so he could do any damn thing he wanted to me. I couldn’t hide my flinch.

He smirked. “Excellent. You’re beginning to comprehend your dire situation.” His face tightened, making his rugged appearance more pronounced.

I swallowed, hating that I’d shown weakness.

I’d been so heartbroken and distraught last night that my shock had worn off. If I didn’t find a way out of here quickly, I could very well wish I were dead.

Even though everything inside me wanted to strike out at Tavish, I forced myself to lower the pocketknife. If I wanted a chance to escape, I needed to stop antagonizing him. I needed him to believe I would be complacent. I placed the weapon back in my pocket, expecting him to demand I turn it over.

Instead, the corners of his lips tilted upward.

Lifting my chin, I puffed out my chest. “You won’t even ask for my weapon.”

He chuckled. “Sprite, that toy wouldn’t harm anyone here. Everyone in this castle and our town is trained in combat. If you managed to injure someone orkill them with that icepick, then the person will have deserved it.”

The air expelled from my lungs in one swoop. The more I learned, the heavier my body felt. That didn’t change what needed to be done. I had to get the hell out of here. I’d just have to be careful of the townspeople as well.

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