Page 7 of The King of Frost and Shadows

Eiric would blame herself for my disappearance even though it wasn’t her fault. I’d encouraged her to leave me alone with him. But I had no doubt she’d carry the burden for the rest of her life.

Maybe that was for the best. Would he have tried to take her, too, if she hadn’t left to visit with her friends? I’d rather she live with that guilt than be part of whatever hell would be my future.

Something cold hit my cheek, pulling me back to the present. I glanced up to see bits of snow falling from the sky through thick, stormy clouds and gasped.

We’d been in Savannah moments ago, and it wasn’t nearly cold enough for snow.

Where the hell were we?

“Ever seen snow before?” Tavish asked. His breath warmed my ear.

Goose bumps pebbled my skin, but they had to be from the snow. Nothim. The bastard.

“Yes.” I refused to tell him I’d only seen it once, and it hadn’t even been a dusting. The jackass didn’t deserve to know anything about me.

“You don’t seem to enjoy it. That’s unfortunate.” He nodded to his right. “There’s snow here year-round and not warmth like you’re used to.”

I flinched and turned my head to see what he meant. My eyes widened.

A gigantic castle as dark as the sky towered on a jagged mountain peak. It didn’t seem to have a single light on within, though I caught a few glimmers in the houses nestled at the bottom of the slope. They were made of the same dark material and continued down the land near the edge of the water that crashed against the shoreline.

Snow covered the ground, and a steady flow drifted from the sky.

No one stood on the streets, giving the town an eerie vibe. I’d never seen or heard of this place before. “Where are we?” If I got a location, maybe I could escape and get back home.

“Somewhere you’ll never leave.” He sneered. “Unless I allow it.”

Wow. He was confident and cocky. I’d give him that. “Then you won’t be afraid to tell me the location.” I arched a brow, trying to come off as confident as him, though I didn’t feel that way at all. I was truly at his mercy, and I hated that.

Eiric had told me countless times that always thinking the best of people would get me into a shitload of trouble.She must have fortune-telling abilities because if she could see how far I’d fallen, she’d say she told me so.

“Are you sure you want the answer to that query?” He tilted his head. “I don’t want to overload that pretty head of yours too much in one night. I can’t have you breaking down until I permit it.”

My stomach almost fluttered at his compliment, but I shut that shit down. I refused to feel any more attraction to this pompous ass. “Try me.”

“You asked for it.” He lowered us toward the buildings. “Welcome to the new Unseelie lands.”

I snorted. “Unseelie, as infae?” I wanted to dismiss his words as a joke, but he had wings, and I’d fallenthrougha tree. All of that defied the physics of Earth.

“Of course fae.” He smiled ominously. “That was an asinine question.”

His gruff words hurt, but I straightened my back, refusing to let him see it. The movement pressed my chest into his more, increasing the pleasant buzzing of my body, which was hugely problematic. I didn’t want to feelanysort of nice feelings toward him.

I swallowed, not wanting to aggravate him more. I was his prisoner for now, whether I liked it or not.

Forcing my attention away from him, I turned back to the castle and noticed a man standing in the darkness of each open window. They wore dark armor and also had wings, each pair a different shade of gray, from very dark to nearly white.

Tavish flew to the far end of the castle, snow falling in his hair and on my face. The white flecks contrasted with his dark hair and nearly blended in with the paleness of his face.

He flew us in through a low window while theguard moved aside to allow us entrance. When Tavish landed, he released me and took several steps back like he couldn’t get away from me fast enough.

Unfortunately for me, my traitorous body wanted to chase after him. I already missed the buzzing from his touch, and I needed another fix, like a drug addict. I made sure my feet stayed planted and glanced around the room for exits.

Darkness clung to me and soaked into my bones, chilling me. I didn’t want to stay here.

All I could see was a long-ass hallway, but every ten feet, lanterns radiated dim light.

“Your Majesty.” The man bowed, dark-blue hair hanging over his shoulders. “I see you found the—”

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