Page 175 of The Frost Touched Queen

“What’s to stop the young king from seeking out his revenge on his own?” my father counters, still trying to figure out if my plan has merit.

I turn my back on my father to face Levi.

“We remind him that death may sound like a blessing to him right now, but that there are still people in Aikyam that he loves. Friends that love him just as much. Remind him that King Orville knows exactly who these friends are and wouldn’t bat an eye at taking them from him. Remind him of the lesson his father just taught him tonight—that there are far worse things than death.”

“Fair enough. I’ll leave the new king be. He’s all the east has now anyway.” My father snorts behind me like this is some kind of game to him. He then orders his men to grab the heads of the fallen king and queen since King Orville demanded proof of their demise.

But all of that passes by me since my eyes are still locked with Levi’s. He doesn’t have to utter a word, since I see all that he wishes to say so clearly written in his face.

I’ve not only lost a brother tonight, but I’ve lost my life, too.

For there will be a day of reckoning.

And when that day comes, I’m as good as dead.

Levi will come for me.

And his steel blade will be the instrument of my demise.

Of that, I am certain.

Chapter 48

Katrina

“Cleo, don’t go in there!” I hear Anya shriek when her girlfriend barges into my room.

“Too late,” I mumble when a pissed-off Cleo marches toward me. I should have known the minute I told Anya we were leaving, she would go running to her girlfriend to break the news. By the look on her face, she isn’t too happy about it. “I see Anya has told you we’re leaving.”

“She did. My king informed me as well,” Cleo tells me with an intimidating tone.

“Oh, so you’ve been with Teo. Good for you,” I retort with a sneer.

Cleo looks like she’s about to claw my eyes out when Inessa steps in front of me, putting herself in harm’s way.

“I suggest you take your friend back to her room. It’s too late an hour to request an audience with the queen,” Inessa explains, using her own intimidating glare.

“First of all, Inessa, I’m not Anya’s friend. I’m her girlfriend. Big fucking difference,” Cleo rebukes. “And secondly, Iwilltalk with your precious queen, because if she’s leaving Nas Laed, then at least she’ll leave with the full story, not just some watered-down version her boy toy from the east gave her.”

Inessa’s eyes widen to the point they’re at severe risk of popping out of her head. No one has ever dared speak to me in that manner. No one save maybe Anya. I now understand why they get along so well. One says what she feels the minute she feels it, while the other has no filter whatsoever, no matter the company.

I place a comforting hand on Inessa’s shoulder and give it a light squeeze.

“It’s okay, Inessa. I’m fine to speak with Cleo.”

I’m not actually fine, but I’m no longer mad with fury either. My furious rage of today’s earlier events has long subsided, and in its place, only loathing and sorrow remains.

Hatred for the villain who stole Levi’s parents away from him.

And sorrow for the lost love that had been blooming in my heart for such a man.

“Are you sure?” Inessa asks hesitantly while still eyeballing an angry Cleo.

“I’m positive,” I reply, stepping around my overprotective friend. “Please, lead the way,” I tell Cleo, sensing that it is best we talk in private where neither Anya nor Inessa can disturb us.

“Cleo—” Anya calls out nervously, fidgeting when we pass the door’s threshold.

“It’s okay, cherry. I promise I won’t hurt your friend. I’m just going to talk to her.” Cleo offers Anya a tender smile before leaning in and leaving a quick peck on her lips.

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