Page 36 of Frost and Death
“Pleaseforgive me,” he pleads.
My eyes close at the contact, hating how much I want him to kiss my lips. I am too much of a coward to put my heart at risk again without understanding his intentions.
“I can’t bear it when we are at odds with one another.” He pecks my right cheek.
Heat blooms underneath my pores, as if fire has jumped from the hearth and is now burning through my skin. I swear to Yeva I want this to be real and not a game of flirtation.
He kisses the other cheek. “I can’t bear to lose you.”
He inches closer, eyes closing. Niko’s nose brushes mine so delicately, and the slightest sensation of his lips hovering over mine sends me into a frenzy.
My lips eagerly seek to touch his—
“Am I interrupting?” a low voice asks.
I propel my entire body in the opposite direction of Niko as my eyes widen, stunned to see Rick leaning against the doorway.
His arms are crossed, with a small bag perched outside the crook of his elbow, music entering the silent back room as my own shame takes over.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, Tove. Deities, take me now.
Niko coughs as mortification reminds me I should not remain frozen this long.
I wrap my arms around myself, ignoring the blush running across my cheeks as Rick closes the gap between the three of us.
Both sets of eyes plaster themselves to the back of my head.
I hug my stomach in protest, forcing myself to look into the fire and pray to the Makers this nightmare will end soon.
My efforts in getting to know Rick more and learn of his intentions for being here are wrecked. Not to mention he might spread the wrong word and sully my reputation.
Fucking Deities.
The silence is deafening as Rick approaches the couch. “Your lady-in-waiting was preoccupied, and I offered to bring you the medicine myself.”
He drops the medicine pouch on the table.
I cringe at the loud clang it makes, forcing an echo throughout the room. I avoid his stare, so torn over my disgrace that I don’t even say thank you.
Rick takes the silence as a dismissal.
Footsteps recede behind me, and each footfall forces the wedge to grow deeper.
I almost thought I could marry someone other than Niko.
I’ve failed…
Everything I set out to do this week is ruined.
“Oh, and, My Queen?” Rick asks as the door creaks.
I meet his gaze, knowing it will be the last time I would ever set my eyes on someone so handsome.
Rick smirks. “I’ll be sure to fetch your advisor instead of medicine the next time yourachesreturn.”
8
Breaking Down Walls
