Page 10 of Frost and Death
Eager for more of the sweetness, I reach for the glass, stopping when a warning cough comes from Niko.
I lift a brow in question. “What?”
“Are yousureyou want to do that this early into the night?” His tone is lined with caution.
I glance back at the staff member and the glass of wine before my hand falls in defeat, hating Niko for being right.
I politely address the man. “Could you come back after a little while?”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” he replies with a bow, leaving with the glass of wine my mouth salivates after.
I blow air from my lungs in frustration, and just my luck, my stomach growls. I should have asked for something to eat.
Sparing a glance at Niko, I knit my eyebrows when he shuffles his weight. “Do you need me to get you a chair?”
He scans the guests. “No, no. I am alright. It’s this next part I am not looking forward to.”
“This wasyouridea.” My cheeks heat, and my head buzzes from the wine in my empty stomach.
Niko sticks out his tongue like a child, and I clamp my lips together to avoid snorting aloud, recovering as a group of men approach.
Niko takes a breath, folding his arms. “Here we go.”
“Here we go,” I repeat, mastering my features and adjusting my posture.
I extend my hand to the first suitor, praying to Alora I might find someone who could understand me and not view me as the Snow Queen everyone claims me to be.
3
A Close Call
Niko shuffling for the first hour was distracting and vexing. I ordered a chair for him for my own benefit, but peering from the corner of my eye every so often made it hard to tell if he was anxious or angry.
After a man from the northeastern village of Tarrgien leaves, Niko heaves a huge sigh, pinching the bridge between his nose.
“Is something the matter?” I ask, my cheeks stinging from plastering a polite smile all evening.
He removes his hand and meets my gaze. “I don’t think any of these men are good for you, Tee.”
Even I knew that going into this week of celebration.
I want to brush off his comment and tell him I will find someone, yet I don’t stop myself from asking, “What makes you say that?”
His jaw works. “You need someone who is going to put your needs and the kingdom’s above their own. Someone willing to make tough calls for governing this kingdom.Andit wouldn’t hurt to have them skilled in combat. But most importantly, they need to be completely devoted to you.”
With three glasses of wine loosening my tongue, I am a glutton for punishment. “Huh.” I pause, then lean into my poor attempts at flirting. “That sounds like you.”
“No! No, that’s not what I meant!” Niko’s cheeks redden.
I bite back my own grin, the sight of him blushing sweeter than any wine.
“Are you sure? Itcertainlysounds like it to me,” I push, wanting to keep his blush there a little longer.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Niko bristles at the bite in his voice, looking around in hopes our conversation is not being overheard.
His cheeks remain red, and I can’t stop my toothy grin as I go on. “You say no one is good enough for me, but I am beginning to believe this wholegrumblingprocess is because you want to be in their shoes.”
“Tee.”
