Page 92 of Frost and Death
Dorit escorts me to my rooms, agreeing to a tour of the castle and setting up meetings with Jonas and Jerrick. The mention of Jerrick makes my skin crawl, hating that, eventually, I will have to face him again.
But I cannot pinpoint whether it is because he is my enemy or because he left me alone last night. I choose not to dwell on the thought, letting my mind wander to trying to reach home again today, seeking Niko or Betina.
My lack of sleep from last night tugs at my eyes along with today’s physical exertion. It’s been the most exercise since my arrival, and Dorit catches on quickly, offering me her arm for support.
I sag with relief when we enter my chambers, passing my thanks to Dorit as she peels away the top sheet of my bed, lifting the thick sheets over my exhausted body.
She hums as the door slinks shut, leaving me alone once more.
Despite being tired, I scramble to peel the sheets off me, seeking Mother’s mirror. I rub it thrice over, the ripples happening in quick succession.
I plead desperately for a figure to be on the other side of the reflection, and my heart fractures at the body laying across my bed. I cover my mouth as Betina twiddles with her fingers, unable to sit still, much like me.
Her mannerisms bring a nostalgic smile to my face.
“Betina?”
My voice breaks.
She jolts upright, finding the exact direction of where my voice came from, relief on her face.
“Tove!” she exclaims, the gleeful sound lingering as she jumps out of the bed and rushes to the vanity. “Oh, Sweet Makers, I am thrilled to see you!”
Unable to stop her concern, she blurts, “How are you? Are you okay? Are you hurt? What about your shoulder? I heard what happened. Are you—”
“Betina,” I cut in, a laugh escaping at the naturalness of her presence.
She shrugs. “Sorry.”
I take in the reality of her being here and that I’m talking to her. My heart fills with hope, knowing I am not as alone as Ithink. But when I study her, I notice the dark circles under her eyes.
“I think the more important question is, how are you?” I ask, gesturing to my under eye.
“Oh, that.” She touches her face softly. “I’ve been in here, waiting for you to appear again. When Nikolaj told me, I slapped his arm, pissed that he got to speak to you without me present.”
That earns a chuckle from me, and blood warms my face at the memory of when I last heard from Niko. “Sorry you missed me the first time. So much has happened, and I can’t use this communication all the time.”
“That’s why Nikolaj told me to move in here until you come back. That way, I can be here when you call,” she says, gesturing to her new bedchamber. “Now, please tell me what’s going on?”
My face falls in defeat. I summon the courage to push through the most recent events with her.
Betina’s expressions shift from sorrow to anger as I summarize everything. By the time I finish, she is quiet.
It takes a lot to make Betina quiet.
“Tove, you aren’t coming home untilsummer?” she asks, her voice a soft whisper.
I know she worries for me and also our kingdom. I mask away my pain and defeat to console her.
“I just have to bide my time here. I don’t want there to be a fight, but Niko feels this is the only way. And it is not too bad waiting here. I have met Prince Jonas, the king’s brother, whoseemskind, along with my lady-in-waiting, Dorit.”
Betina’s expression darkens, and I snicker. “Don’t worry, Betina, you’re still my favorite lady-in-waiting.”
She hums before her features turn solemn. “What about your magic?”
I shrug, the stitching in my right shoulder pulling. “I am not sure. Everything is jumbled and scattered. I am supposed to betraining with the king, but I don’t know about that now, since he stormed out during our wedding night, mentioning a curse—”
“Wait, a curse!? What?”
