Page 75 of Frost and Death
I turn, taking in the bedchamber around me. A lush black blanket hugs the sheets on the bed, and light traces of frost crest across the tall arched window beside me.
I swallow thickly, hesitant over relaying the bad news. As I rub the stem of the mirror, the jagged edges of the engraving massage my palms.
I brace myself for his fury and meet his amber gaze.
“Niko.” I bite my lip, knowing my heart is going to break in telling him this.
It is already breaking the longer I look at him.
“Tee, tell me where you arenow,” he demands, each word desperate yet full of anger, not toward me but to the man who took me on our wedding day.
Niko’s protectiveness is driving the demand behind his tone, but it does nothing to stop the shredding in my chest.
I grimace. “I-I’m in P-Palaena,” I whisper.
“What?” he bellows, and I wince.
He steps away from the vanity, his fingers running through his hair as he paces. “I’ll kill that bastard—”
“Niko,” I call, trying to reach him through his spiraling thoughts.
He is willing to risk anything to find the best solution. He faces me, coming into view with anger expanding from his amber irises.
“I am coming to get you, Tee. I am going to call the banners and come for you.”
“Niko,” I breathe with warning.
“Iam going to. Tee, I know it will take time. I will go to each village and call the banners, have them march to the castle and train under me.”
His emotions falter momentarily, noting the change in my demeanor. Calling the banners risks upsetting the Makers.
“Or not. I could come and get you myself right now.”
Another reason why war has never happened is because monarchs could never predict what abilities the other had. It would be a gamble to fight to gain more power, only to be usurped by a monarch more powerful than anticipated. And regardless of success or failure, a ruler would still invoke the Deities’ wrath.
I scrape my lips against the edges of my teeth as I contemplate my options, knowing, deep down, if I ever want to return home, Nikois right.
This is the only option.
There were witnesses to my kidnapping and the death of my priest at my wedding. That should count for something and help Niko get support in organizing an attack.
I rock my head back to the ceiling, noting the framing around the bed as I send a humble prayer to Alora, begging her for mercy in the afterlife for the path I am about to go down.
Leaning against the pillows, I fold my robe over my body asI try to justify hurting others. I hate that the guarantee of my return home, being with Niko, and protecting my kingdom all boil down to a battle.
I don’t want this, yet I can’t help but exhale my thoughts aloud.
“You cannot come here alone, Niko. I don’t know what threats lie here. There is too much at risk if we show up unprepared. And if Axidoria is going to march into another kingdom for a fight, I want you and my bannermen prepared.”
Niko stiffens at my declaration, his emotions clearly rushing his decisions more than his logic, and I need to guide his intentions strategically.
“Winter will spread more in Axidoria, so take this time to gather men and train. We can set forth in the summer when it is warmer, and that should give me enough time to handle everything here.”
Niko scratches the side of his cheek, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he thinks over my plan. He falls into pacing again.
When his steps falter, he turns and raises a brow. “Wait, what are you going to do?”
Hesitating momentarily, I reply, “I am going to marry their king.”
