Page 30 of Gifted to the Frost King

He nods his head, his shoulders sagging.

“Of course. I know where it goes. I’m…I’m remembering.”

Brushing past him, I head towards the door.

“Good, then there’s no time to waste.”

I hear him fall in step behind me. I have no idea how to exit the castle, but my burning disappointment keeps me from asking Frosty for directions. Something heavy weighs my stomach down. He had looked upset at his action yet made no move to offer any reasoning as to why he may have thought doing such a cruel thing was necessary.

The vision last night had been horrible. It showed me a male that seemed in such contrast to the one I’ve come to know. At least he didn’t deny his actions—I don’t think my heart could take him also being a liar. It still feels raw after witnessing him with so many others.

My face feels warm at the memory. All those bodies, moving and moaning and?—

“That male you saw isn’t who I am anymore.”

The King’s voice cuts through the icy silence. He walks in step with me, guiding us down another series of steps and hallways. I bristle at his words, and my disappointment and jealousy force a humorless chuckle from my lips.

“No.” I agree. “Just a cursed monster who steals from those he swore to protect.”

As soon as I say the words, I regret them. The Frost King’s whole body rears back as if I’ve struck him. His powerful shoulders curl forward, and for a moment, he doesn’t look like a powerful frost elf male but a small child.

I shouldn’t care that I’ve hurt him. However, cruelty begets more cruelty, and I’ve never been callous. My hurt feelings have made me lose sight of that. Reveling in anger won’t break this curse any quicker. As for the jealousy…I’d rather not examine why seeing him with those other males and females affected me so much.

It was long before my birth, and I shouldn’t care, but that is easier said than done.

Pausing on the carpet, I turn towards him. I extend a hand and rest it gently on his arm. The heat pouring from him soaks through my gloves. His eyes lift, and I don’t enjoy seeing the anguish I’ve put there.

I have not forgiven him for his actions, but that doesn’t mean I must hurt him to express my displeasure.

“I—I didn’t mean that. I feel foolish for?—”

The Frost King turns away from me, my hand sliding from him.

“The only fool here is me,” he says bitterly. “My selfish actions caused all this, and now I must deal with the consequences. I have earned your distrust.”

I bite my bottom lip.

“Frost—”

“Let us go before we lose the light. It is quite the journey from here.”

With a wave of his hands, metal swirls through the air, and we land outside. My boots sink into the fresh snow. It is onlyabout ankle-high. Staying close to my side, I follow Frosty as he walks us towards the forest's edge surrounding the castle.

A few birds flutter overhead. The scent of fresh pine is crisp in the morning air. The breeze is cold, but luckily, the trees block most of the biting chill. I watch the green pines give way to white. We must be entering the White Woods, Glimmer informed me about.

Daring a glance at the King, his eyes remain focused ahead. Sunlight glitters off his silver crown. Despite the chill, he wears no coat. I shiver just looking at him.

We have entered into tense silence once more. Yesterday's progress is gone. Something in my heart urges me to speak, to make amends. The snowflake at my throat glows in approval, but what would I even say?

My disappointment has not gone away. Nor is it up to me to forgive him for stealing the egg. The King is right. His suffering is due to his cruel actions. If only his punishment hadn’t extended to those around him. How unfair must this sorceress be to curse us all because of one thoughtless king?

Snow crunches under my feet as I dodge heavy branches. The deeper we walk, the quieter the world becomes. No more birds fly overhead, nor do small creatures scurry up trees. Only the sound of breathing and heavy steps break up the silent woods.

I feel his eyes upon me before he speaks.

“You are right,” he says so softly I nearly miss it. “A monster—that is what I became. The death of my parents warped me into a cruel male who wanted the world to suffer as much as I did. To have the crown thrust upon the head of someone barely more than a child was more than I could bear. Unlimited power mixed with grief turned me into something ugly and wretched.”

The misery in his blue eyes makes my heart ache.

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