Page 76 of Frost and Death
Niko’s eyes widen, recognition dawning. “The man who kidnapped you is the King of Palaena? And you are going to marry him?” Niko fumes, anger lacing each word.
“Yes.”
“Tee,” he breathes, “youcan’tmarry him.”
Tenderness leaves his breath and fractures my heart. It cripples me knowing we are so far apart, and I can’t embrace him and comfort him.
I would hold him and lather him by kissing every inch of his body. I pray he knows it is him I want, and no one else.
I meet his gaze, assuring the finality of this decision. “Ihaveto. They showed me a marriage decree drafted and signed by my mother.”
Niko grimaces at the thought, disbelieving me, but I press on, “Trust me, I didn’t believe it at first either, but her signature was there.”
Looking through the reflection, the tension in Niko’s jaw works. The despair in my chest grows, even as I try to offer a fragment of hope.
“They are hiding what really happened to my family. So, while men train for a battle, I’m going to learn what I can and follow through with my other arrangements.”
Jealousy ripples down Niko as he stomps toward the vanity mirror, smacking his hands on the table. “Whatelsedid you agree to?”
I swallow thickly, not knowing if Axidoria could make this work or not. “We agreed once we marry, I’ll help set up trade between our kingdoms, and the king would train me to wield my magic.”
“But, Tee.” Niko sighs, the hope draining from him. “I don’t care about trade or the winter your magic caused. I care about you.”
His soft words torture me as I face his amber eyes, wishing he were here to hold me.
“I know you do,” I say softly, the pain of everything breaking my heart. “But Ihaveto do this. I have to find answers while Iam here. And there has to be a way to remove my magic or melt the ice. That way could be here. You know how difficult it has been to learn and understand my gifts without any resources at home.”
“Have you already married him?” Niko asks, betrayal stinging in his question.
I shake my head, and his shoulders relax until I add, “It’s happening tonight.”
Niko is silent, his face reddening from the tears he, too, is shedding. He touches the mirror, and I brush it with my fingertips.
We stare silently at each other, wishing to be in one another’s embrace but instead are being thrown into an Oblivion of Palaena’s making.
A long exhausted sigh escapes from Niko’s lips, and he rubs his eyes softly.
Realization breaks my heart that Niko may not want me after I’ve been married to Jerrick… Is he getting ready to tell me that?
Niko’s head remains downcast. “I understand honoring the agreement your mother drafted, and I understand harnessing your abilities, but Tee—” He looks up, jealousy simmering behind his eyes.
His throat bobs once.
He exhales a promise burning deep in his gaze. “Helping the future of your kingdom isn’t going to stop me from coming to get you. I’m going to kill that man for taking what is mine.”
The thought should make me feel sick. Instead, it pulls a wicked idea of what Jerrick will be like as a lover, but I don’t dare voice that.
I don’t want to give myself to a stranger, but consummation comes as part of the marriage arrangement.
I know that.
Niko knows that.
And even Jerrick knows that.
But despite having to share a bed with Jerrick, I can’t help but seek reassurance Niko will still want to be with me after all of this.
I squeeze the mantle of my mother’s gilded mirror, holding on to the hope of his declaration. “You—you’d still want me? Even after marrying—andbeing—with another man?”
