Page 119 of Frost and Death
His unruly brown waves cover his face as he says, “An honor it is to finally meet you, Your Majesty.”
Viggo’s stare stays on mine, and I smile gently, understanding the shyness of meeting new people. I have an urge to befriend him as I have Dorit, Ophelia, and Cordelia.
“If you ever feel inclined to, you may call me Tove,” I reply to Viggo, the same offer I extend to any staff.
But here, in Palaena, I do not know why I want to prevent others from calling me the Snow Queen. The uncertainty still has me gesturing to the table, seeking to be different from what rumors claim.
“Please, join us?” I ask.
Dorit occupies the seat next to me as Viggo follows his partner, hand in hand.
Viggo sits where Jerrick was earlier, and Jonas returns to his original spot.
Dorit glances at the heaping array of books, rolling her eyes with exhaustion.
“Pleasetell me this is the already read pile,” she says, pointing to the stack Jerrick and I are working through.
“It’s not,” I tell her.
She sighs and leans back, crossing her arms.
Jonas and Viggo chuckle under their breaths.
Looking between them, I gesture to the books. “You three could help me, you know?”
Dorit snorts and waves me off. “No, Viggo and I have tasks to do. We only stopped by when we saw the king leaving the castle.”
I flick my eyes to Jonas in hesitation, unsure how much she and Viggo know about Jerrick’s curse.
But Jonas nods, a sign that they know enough.
I still choose to keep Jerrick’s movements and actions to myself.
Jonas steers the conversation in a different direction. “Tove and I were just discussing plans for the celebration as well as the first of many planned deliveries of wine.”
Dorit lights up at the mentioning of wine. “You did? Don’t tell me I have to wait for you, too, in order to try it.”
All three gazes flick to me, and I shrug, unable to help myself as I speak. “Unfortunately, you do.”
Dorit puffs. “Dammit, I wanted to sneak extra away.”
A chuckle escapes, and I stifle it with my hand. “Do not fret, Jonas and I are already working on having more for the party as well as stocking it, too. Once everyone tries it, I’m afraid you will not wish to go back.”
“I’ll say,” Jonas remarks. “That is quite a steep promise, Tove.”
I smirk. “It’s a guarantee, Jonas.”
Jonas and Dorit wiggle their brows with delight.
My eyes meet Viggo’s, and he grins bashfully.
From what I have heard about Viggo, he is shy. I do not want to push him out of his comfort zone, so I smile in return before leaning back and reading late into the night.
25
Extra Pastries
My morning habits drew me to greet Cordelia and Ophelia, leaving them with a food tray in my hands. Even though Jerrick was gone, I kept up with the routine, enjoying the added benefit of extra pastries for myself.
