Page 8 of Frost and Death
His eyes remain downcast when he bows, and I want to saysomething.
But when I behold his handsome face again, it is inscrutable.
My heart wants to claw out from my chest and beg him to come back to the moment, but I sense a wall forming between us. My mind is telling me to let it go and remember the moment we shared is orchestrated.
But even as Niko reaches for my hand to kiss it, I can’t help but feel that if I let him go, I will never get him back.
“Your Majesty,” Niko says as the crowd nears. Amber eyes I have come to love and admire every day stare before he adds, “Good luck.” He walks away, leaving me stranded amid a swarm of men.
I try to call him back, but my voice is overwhelmed by the requests of noblemen surrounding me. The voices blend, echoing in my ears, drowning me more by the second.
A rich voice says to my right, “Your Majesty!”
“Queen Tove!”
A voice to my left, deep and low, vibrates in my ears.
“May I have this dance?” each of the men ask.
I tune out the repetitive questions, knowing many could be a part of the rumors that follow me. Even though I want to waste and wither away, I have a duty to my kingdom.Finding someone to marry will lift the kingdom’s spirits. Finding someone could show I am not as evil as my people claim. Finding someone to marry will help me move on from Niko.
Now I just need to find someone tolerable enough who won’t demand I be tied to their hip.
Royal protocol and manners I’ve known my entire life click into place, pairing with the indifferent mantle of the Snow Queen.
I greet each nobleman, stopping on a familiar face.
The lean man wears a navy suit adorned with white flowers on one side of the lapel. Short blond hair is swept back from his tanned face where his cheeks are hollowed in. The man’s slightly crooked nose sniffs as dark-blue eyes peer into mine as if he can hear my own thoughts.
I greet Axidoria’s wealthiest nobleman with a tight-lipped smile. “Lord Ulrik, a pleasure to see you here.”
Ulrik Albertsen’s family is as old as the Clemmensens. The Albertsen’s lands grant them access to metals and gems, which are heavily traded throughout Draymenk. But the power and wealth from their property has gone to their heads.
Ulrik recently stepped into the role of lord, and while he has been kind when we’ve interacted, the man is blunt and rude, always the first to insult me in meetings Niko holds in my stead.
“Your Majesty, it is an honor to be here,” Ulrik chimes in a lofty voice, the scent of leather and tobacco overpowering my nose, making it hard to breathe.
I feign kindness. “I am grateful for your presence and contributions to the festivities this week.”
“I was hoping we might be able to discuss—”
“My lord,” I interrupt, hoping to steer away from politics tonight. “I was wondering if you would be my partner for this next dance.”
Ulrik’s yellowed teeth gleam. “It would be my pleasure, Queen Tove.” He extends his hand.
I inhale one fresh breath before he notices, then take his hand and follow him to an open space on the dance floor. I keep up appearances, remaining calm as I fight to tune out the whispers.
The next song is traditional, meant for all guests to dance together. Stomping feet and clapping hands surround each coupled pair. We take off to the faster tempo, Ulrik and I shuffling through partners, his stench of smoke following me.
Switching between partners in twists and spins, everyone laughs. The shared moments lift my lips, happy I was able to bring a small glimpse of joy to my people after all the wrongs I’ve done.
When the dancers form parallel lines, couples join hands and take their turns running down the center.
Ulrik and I wait side by side, clapping to the rhythm and preparing to join, but the pungent smell of tobacco is bitter enough to water my eyes when he leans in.
“I hear you are looking for a husband.”
Despite the nausea curling in my stomach, marrying someone like Ulrik would be good for the kingdom. Many people are familiar with him and support his family. His riches could help fund extra clothing and food, and we could negotiate his resources.
