Page 187 of The Frost Touched Queen

Your loyal brother in lasting peace,

Levi of Thezmaer

King of the east

I fist the scroll in my hand, feeling my rage bubbling through.

Weak.

I’m surrounded by weakness.

I breathe hard through my nose, as Levi’s messenger shifts from one foot to the other, waiting for my response.

I crack my neck from side to side and step off my throne to take the three stairs down to where he stands.

“Tell your king that I trust in his wisdom and shall abide by his counsel.” I force a fake smile.

“Anything else, Your Majesty?” he asks, beads of nervous sweat streaking down his brow.

I shake my head.

“That is all.”

“Very well, Your Majesty. I shall depart at once.”

“Good man,” I praise, tapping him on the shoulder. “Go. I’m sure your king is anxious for the news.”

The young messenger bows before leaving my hall to run back east where his weak, pathetic excuse for a king awaits.

I walk over to my fireplace and run my fingers over the small box that rests on its mantle. I flick the lid open and pull out a wooden boat and stare at it. It’s the same one Levi sent me not a couple of months back, swearing that nothing would change the course of our plans.

Oh Levi.

How disappointed I am in you, brother.

We spent all these years strategizing and planning the north’s demise, and all it took was bedding Kat for you to lay down your vengeful sword.

I thought you were made of tougher steel than that.

Tsk. Tsk.

No pussy tastes as sweet as revenge.

Oh well. As the saying goes, if you want something done right, then you must do it yourself.

I grin at the thought.

My eyes wander the hall and I call one of my squires standing by.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Bring me some wine. Tonight, we celebrate.”

The young lad eyes me curiously as I fiddle with the toy ship in my hand.

“May I ask, Your Grace, what are we celebrating?”

My sinister smile crests my lips and widens on my face.

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