Page 91 of Kiss of Ice

He looked down at her, unsure of what to do.

“Get some rest,” he said stiffly. “We’ll talk in the morning.”

He made to leave and she clutched his hand.

“Will you stay? Just until I fall asleep?”

She sounded heartbreakingly fragile and his chest constricted. He sat on the edge of the bed next to her.

“I’ll stay as long as you want.”

He reached out with his free hand and smoothed the wild curls off her face. Her eyes closed and he watched her lashes flutter against the paleness of her cheeks. His mind was a jumble.

What had happened to her? Why wouldn’t she tell him?

A fierce protectiveness welled within him. He wanted to tear apart whatever had hurt her and lay it at her feet like an offering. But unless she opened up to him, he didn’t know what to do.

He stroked her hair until her breathing slowed and became deep and regular. He watched her sleep.

One thought rose to the surface of his mind, circling again and again.

She came back.

She came back.

She came back.

Thirty Eight

Ren woke alone. She lay for a moment, trying to get her bearings. She was back in her room at the palace. Kam had brought her home.

Home. Is that how she thought of this place now?

Her mind shied away from Valkar. From the revelations of the night before. She sat up, wincing at the sharp stab that tore through her side. Seven hells, that smarted. She peeled off her soiled dress and examined the bruising in the mirror.

A mottled pattern of purple, blue and green stretched over her right side, covering her torso from breast to hip. The skin was swollen and angry, and when she cautiously pressed her fingers against her ribs, she hissed with pain.

Definitely cracked.

Gods damn it. She could send for the Royal Healer but she had no doubt he’d report her injury to the Emperor. And then she’d have to explain what had happened. That her own father had lashed out. She bit her lip. The shame and humiliation would be too much to bear.

She pressed her hand to her side and chilled the flesh, taking her body temperature down until the pain was numbed and the swelling reduced. It wasn’t a cure, but it would do as a temporary fix.

She filled the bath with cold water, wincing as she bent to turn on the taps. When the maids knocked on the door to see if they could help, she sent them away.

Let them think she had wedding jitters, she thought.

The wedding. She straightened as realisation hit.

Today was the eve of her marriage. With everything that had happened, she had almost forgotten. By this time tomorrow, she would be Nush’aldaam’s new Empress.

She slid into the cold water, sighing in relief as the icy touch soothed her soreness. She had no objection to hot baths but she’d found her body responded better to cooler temperatures. She drew on her weft power and chilled the water even more, until icy crystals floated around her.

Ice queen. She smiled faintly at Kam’s nickname for her. It was more apt than he imagined.

The smile faded as she allowed memories of last night to seep into her consciousness. Her father had admitted the truth. He’d committed treason.

The only reason he hadn’t faced justice was because there was no proof. Kam had no evidence and Salaq had plenty of followers who would protest his innocence.

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