Page 82 of Kiss of Ice

“No.”

“Let me go.” She tried to shake loose, glaring at him. His face was granite.

“Our marriage guarantees Salaq’s loyalty. Believe what you like but Iknowwhat he did to me. And trust me, my ice queen, the wedding is most definitely still on.”

“Get your hands off me, you bastard.” Her voice shook with anger. “You can’t stop me from seeing my father.”

“Actually, I can.” He released her so suddenly she stumbled. “Our wedding is in two days. You’re confined to your quarters until then. There’ll be guards posted outside the door so don’t bother trying to escape.”

“You’re holding me prisoner?”

He smiled mirthlessly.

“Look at it this way, my Lady. It’s bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding. I’m simply upholding tradition.”

He stalked out of her bedchamber. Ren stared after him, speechless with rage. Then she picked up the food tray from the bed and hurled it at the door, screaming every expletive she could think of.

“I hate you! I hate you, do you hear me?”

When she couldn’t hold on to her anger anymore, she sank to the floor and let the tears come.

Thirty Three

Kam hovered high above the palace, wallowing in self-recrimination. What the fuck had he been thinking? Why had he decided to tell Ren the truth, knowing it would hurt her?

Miserably, he admitted the truth to himself. He’d told her because he didn’t want to lie to her anymore. For some reason, what she thought of him had suddenly become very important.

He laughed bitterly at the irony. He’d forced her to agree to marriage to punish her father. She was supposed to be his leverage, his weapon against Salaq. But the tables had been turned and now the daughter of his most hated enemy held all the cards.

Gods, when had he developed feelings for her? Her shock and distress over what he’d told her had made him sick to his stomach. And when she’d said she was going to call off the wedding, it had been like a physical blow.

He should have talked to her more, explained it better. Told her how he felt. But instead he’d locked her up as if she were a prisoner.Way to go, you idiot.

He’d make it up to her. After the wedding, he’d shower her with gifts. Make her see that life at the palace wasn’t so bad. And as for her father… Kam gritted his teeth.

He’d never forgive Salaq for what he’d done. Never. But if Kam truly wanted Ren to be happy, he couldn’t keep waging this war against him.

Perhaps there was a way to co-exist. Perhaps Ren would be the emollient, the buffer between the two of them.

Gods, was he really prepared to let his enemy off the hook so easily for the sake of awoman?And again, he was forced to admit the truth.

He didn’t know how or why – but in some incredible way, Ren had managed to slip unnoticed into the yawning void of his heart.

Ren stormed into the hallway. Two guards were lounging by the front doors. They straightened hurriedly when they saw her.

“Get out of my way,” she snapped. They shuffled their feet.

“Begging your pardon, my Lady, but we have orders from the Emperor. He requests that you stay in your quarters.”

“But if you need anything at all, we can have it sent over,” the other guard said helpfully. Ren glared at him.

“What Ineedis some fresh air. Am I not allowed to take a walk?”

“Um, we were told you had to stay indoors, my Lady.” Enraged, she drew herself to her full height and looked down her nose at them.

“Do you know who I am?” she said haughtily. “I’m the Honourable Lady Morenna bin Salaq of the Marid. Stand aside or I’ll have you arrested for insubordination.”

The guards were clearly unhappy at being asked to restrain a member of the aristocracy but they refused to budge. Fuming, Ren went back into her bedchamber. She checked the windows. The drop to the ground wasn’t too far, and she reckoned she could manage it. Especially if she chucked some cushions out first to soften her landing. But when she opened the window, another soldier wandered into view and saluted her.

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