Page 187 of Frost and Death
My heart sinks to my stomach at his apology, knowing everything he means. I wish I could do the same and confide in him. About Niko, my mother’s mirror—
But if Jerrick kneweverything, I don’t know what he would do. He could kill me or help me. If I told him now, he might not see past my initial intent in coming here. And then my efforts to prevent a fight would crumple.
But what if he heard me? Truly heard everything I had to say? He would listen, right?
Hope flutters through my tremors when I break apart from our embrace, his blue eyes holding me captive once more. They flick back and forth between mine, and I am at a loss for words.
I’m too overcome by relief that he is here, that I am here, and that we are alive.
The moment sinks in deeper as I absorb every crevice of his features, constantly admiring him. A fire swelters in my chest, an ache of gratitude and longing for the man in front of me.
I cup his cheek, refusing to remove my gaze as he melts into my palm.
His eyes close slowly, lips grazing the inside of my hand. Heat prickles from his touch, and I can’t stop myself from leaning and drawing our faces near.
Unable to stop the need running through me to thank him, to convey my appreciation, I kiss him.
The warmth of his lips spreads over mine and expands, drifting down and heating my body. I hold his face between my hands as I kiss him softly, tenderly. Sorrow and gratitude pour from me as the kiss deepens, hoping he can sense it—understand it.
Jerrick shifts, gripping my hips tightly.
I mimic the action on his face before ending the kiss and slowly pulling away. When I open my eyes, his are twinkling with mischief.
“Did you just fucking kiss me?”
I snort so loud I cover my mouth, my head rocking up to the sky. Laughter sings between us, remembering when I said the same thing to Jerrick the first time he kissed me.
I play on old memories, teasing him as he had. “It worked, didn’t it?”
A playful smirk graces Jerrick’s lips as he purrs, “I might need you to try it again in case it didn’t.”
I am tempted to do just that as a shiver runs up my spine. My body contorts, and I hate the tension in my limbs.
Jerrick rubs my back, trying to warm me, perking up and scanning the surroundings. “We need to return home. Can you walk?”
I nod and move off him.
He stands and takes my hand, tugging me up as I ask, “Don’t you still need to hunt, though?”
“Yes,” he sighs heavily. “And find my horse and retrieve our weapons. But I think it would be safer if you were back on the castle grounds, especially as the current dragged us closer to home than our campsite.”
“But—” I pause when he lets go of me, immediately losing my balance.
His reflexes save me from slumping onto the dried leaves. “Easy there, I’ve got you.”
I blush.
He always has a way to say he is here for me. He holds my waist, hunching slightly, and I bring my arm around his upper torso to lean on him as we walk.
The thought of not finding our steed tugs at my heart. “I can help find our horse.”
Ijustplaited its mane.
“I—” Jerrick’s boots crunch against the leaves as he huffs a breath. “I-I can’t have you help me.”
“Why?”
He cringes, and it has me worried I overstepped moments ago. Heat floods my cheeks in embarrassment that I misread his actions and response earlier.
