Page 168 of Frost and Death
But when I open my eyes, I am met with nothing.
I touch another area of her body, trying to not think of the frost growing. The magic around us even expands. I try to picture ice stopping and melting in my mind. But again, when I open my eyes, there is no improvement.
Ice now covers her waist.
Runa’s arms are half stuck in place, her shivering getting worse. The breath she releases between each chatter is visible, landing on me and drying the wetness on my cheeks briefly, only to be soaked again with my own tears. Her doe eyes watch meencouragingly, the blue and purple hues lining her lips twist and knot my heart.
I can’t help but plea internally.“Please.”
Ice shoots up and over her arms, faster than the frost did, and she wails in response.
I jerk up, frantically touching her frozen hands in hopes I can cease the ice’s movements. But when I look back, the fear settles into her panicked state.
She… she isafraidof me.
“I-I don’t know what to do, Runa,” I sob in complete defeat.
“P-P-P-Please h-h-help me, y-y-you must kn-know how to st-st-st-st-stop this,” Runa pleads.
“I don’t know what to do!” I scream, tears running down my face.
The ice moves again, and I flinch at the sound of her screams.
I can’t stop myself from crying.
She is frozen up to her neck now as I shake uncontrollably, losing all faith in whatever this dark and evil magic is.
Why are the Makers punishing me?
Please, help me. Please. I don’t know how to fix this.
Runa watches through her own tears, her drenched features stark with grief, fear, and panic. Her skin is losing all warmth that enlightened her.
My heart fractures at the pain I’ve caused. If I can’t stop this—
“Tove, please!” she whimpers, the effort of speaking hurting.
The desperation in her plea fractures my soul, unlocking the gates of determination within me. The ice creeps up and around her head as I wipe dampness from my cheeks.
I find even footing and hug her waist, pinching my eyes shut.
Please. Please work.
I try to calm my emotions, placing thoughts of Runa at the forefront of my mind instead of the frozen ice surrounding her. I try to imagine only the happiest of memories.
But then I remember I am not happy.
I don’t have my father and now my mother. Yet I still try to think of Runa, knowing I still have her. I think about her sunlight, her happiness, and her love—
“T-T-T-Tove—”
I lift my head, and my jaw drops. Frost surrounds Runa’s face.
No. No. No!
“Runa!” I gasp, my hands moving to her cheeks.
My eyes scan every detail of her, trying to find some improvement.
