Page 31 of Gifted to the Frost King

“I drank and fucked away all of my problems. My people suffered for it. Now, even with the curse, a part of me wonders ifthey all may be better off. Safer to be trapped in their icy prisons than to live under the rule of such a monster.” His eyes blaze with intensity. “I hate that you were forced to see that version of me—I hate that he ever existed.”

The self-loathing in his eyes cuts me to the bone. Warmth unfurls in my chest and I will it to wrap around him. I understand the power of grief—to lose both parents and then inherit a kingdom is quite the burden to take on. It does not excuse what he did, but it does help explain why he acted in such a way.

“Why did you take it? What could the snow fairies have possibly done to deserve that?”

He shakes his head, white air flopping over his brow.

“They didn’t deserve it,” he rasps. “There is no good answer I can give—only that behaving cruelly allowed me to forget about my pain. Whatever reason I had at the time for stealing the egg matters little. There is no excuse for it, and if I could go back and change what I did, I would immediately.”

I nod.

“You're making amends now. That is all you can do.”

I want so badly to believe him. He’s given no indication that he still carries those callous sentiments. Perhaps five centuries, subjected to a curse that’s forced you to live at the mercy of the same cruel beast you inflicted on others has been a proper punishment. There’s no doubt he’s suffered. The only question remaining is if there is enough time to fix all the damage his actions have caused.

“Because of you,” he whispers, breaking me free of my thoughts.

“Me?”

“Without your help, I never would’ve remembered just what an awful thing I did. This wrong never would’ve been righted. I’ve had centuries to do it.”

“That’s not entirely your fault—the curse had stolen the memory of it.”

The Frost King shakes his head.

“I wonder now if part of me had wanted to forget.” He blows out a breath. “For the first time, I’m considering if my true punishment was to force me to live in the world I was creating. One that would’ve been born out of my selfishness and neglect. I do not doubt that if I continued on that destructive path, I would be in a similar situation to the one I’m in now.”

“You can’t think like that,” I say. “Nothing stays the same—people can change. What is the world without forgiveness?”

He gives me a sad smile.

“I’m not people, Dove.” The King’s hand ghosts over my cheek. “And I don’t deserve forgiveness.”

“If you truly wish to make amends, you do.”

His fingers skim over my skin before falling away.

“You have a kind heart. If only—” He closes his eyes before picking up his steps. “Never mind, we’re here.”

Turning away from him, I stare at the sight before us.

A large archway made of glass and white crystal rises before us. It sparkles in the white light of the sun. Passing underneath it, the air hums with power, and the sharp sting of metal pricks my nose. It’s eerily quiet. Not even the branches dare snap in the wind.

As we pass tiny homes nestled amongst the trees, our feet crunch along the ground. Each one sparkles brilliantly. The whole fortress seems to be covered in glittery, shimmering?—

A gasp falls from my lips as I realize what’s giving off the sparkling glow. It’s bodies—hundreds of them. They are the same size as Glimmer, except they are made entirely of ice. Their tiny bodies remain frozen in their homes or lounging on tree branches. Some have fallen into the snow below, their wings spread as if they iced over mid-flight.

My heart cracks at the thought of Glimmer—this is her family, her friends—she’s had to endure these centuries all alone.

“I haven’t been here since—” The Frost King swallows loudly. “How could I let this happen? Look at them. They didn’t even stand a chance.”

Tears burn in my eyes, but I blink them away. Digging into the pocket of my cloak, I find the egg and hand it to Frosty.

“Then take the first step in making it right.”

Holding the egg, he gently traces the delicate row of silver jewels.The Crystal Eggglows in his hand. Frosty lets out a delicate hiss but never drops the relic.

We walk through more snow, careful not to step on any fairies. Soon, we reach the center of the fortress. There lies a statue taller than even the King. It is made of dark stone, save for her wings, which are made of white crystal. A hood is pulled over her head. Her lips are carved into a gentle smile. Two hands are cupped in front of her, the stone in the center of her palms slightly paler than the rest.

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