Page 221 of Frost and Death
Deities, what I wouldn’t give to be back to when I first came here to change all this.
My mask slips underneath the King of Palaena’s betrayed features as I offer him more information. “Niko told me to call our banners while I remained here, wanting to disprove yourstories about my mother and father and train my magic.Pleasebelieve me when I tell you, I asked him to stand down, and I never wanted a fight to begin with. I ordered him to stand down, and he exploded into a rage. I hoped he would listen and obey my order because I told him everything I discovered, and I told him how I hope—” I cover my mouth to suppress my collapse.
My emotions are getting the better of me, making my voice tremble.
Jerrick finally speaks. “Hope what?”
“I hoped you would divorce me and send me home to Axidoria so you could have a chance to break your curse.” The mask Jerrick wears fractures, and I seize the moment. “I found out what was needed to break your curse when you were hunting before the ball. I was planning to tell you last night but—”
I glance at the bed, pressing the sheet to my chest. Last night and how perfect and right it was plucks my heart.
When I look back, I step closer to Jerrick, wanting his touch and begging for his forgiveness.
But Jerrick averts his gaze, and everything monumental and rapturous from last night burns to ash. A tear escapes, and I wipe it away, fighting to keep myself together when he flicks his eyes back at me, clapping slowly.
A low laugh escapes him before he unleashes his wrath on me. “Bravo, Frostbite. That is some tale you’ve spun.”
“It’s true!”
“Then, how do I break my curse?” he challenges.
I hold my tongue, unable to tell him. Not until I know he believes me.
I remain tight-lipped, refusing to budge. I can’t tell him anything without some understanding—some sort of negotiation of walking away from this. I don’t care about saving myself, but I need to save others.
And I can only do that if I let Jerrick go and he does the same.
The silence in the air is thick, dry, and filled to the brim with angry power oozing from Jerrick. The King of Palaena, cursed with bloodlust and gifted to take others into death.
A walking omen, he should be feared, and I, too, remember seeing it and believing it.
Death has followed me before, and assuming I was used to it was a fallacy, especially as Jerrick’s features darken into a lethal predator seeking to end its prey.
Fuck, he doesn’t believe me.
It’s my turn to take a step back.
Jerrick stalks toward me, his features shifting into the man who kidnapped me, killed a man without so much of a second thought, and used his magic against me.
I’ve lost my privilege of seeing the light inside of him.
I call more magic to the surface, praying I can combat the power Jerrick will release at any moment. Fear prickles up my spine as he chuckles darkly when I am stopped by the bed.
I fall against it, allowing him to get closer.
My lungs cease working as he leans in. I have half a thought to use my gifts on him, but I can’t control it. I could kill him.
But when Jerrick’s lips crash on mine, my eyes widen as his remains fixed on me, watching me. There is pressure against my skin, my veins, and I break apart from his kiss, trying hard not to touch him for fear of my own magic.
But it is too late. The room is spinning.
A weight blooms across my body. My heartbeat increases, blood warms beyond the summer’s heat. Sweat beads along my brow, under my breasts, and between my legs.
I fall backward onto the bed, still reaching and seeking the frigid power to fight against Jerrick’s abilities.
I refuse to use my powers on him, knowing I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I hurt him. I hold on to the kernel offrost fighting to not be snuffed out by the rush of Jerrick’s magic, trusting it to be enough to keep me alive.
But I slacken as Jerrick observes me, tilting his head as the grip I have on the bedsheets loosens.
