Page 32 of Gifted to the Frost King

Walking towards it, Frosty gently sets the egg back in her hands.

Nothing happens for a moment untilthe Crystal Eggblazes with life. Blue and white light pour from it and up the statue. The wings at her back glow in blues, pinks, and yellows—shimmering enough to sting my eyes. The King is at my side, half standing in front of me in protection.

“See.Feel.” a voice whispers through the trees and swirls around us. “It takes one to see but two to feel. Hidden deep within the frozen lake, the secrets will reveal.”

The glow of the egg dies down, and the wind relaxes into a gentle breeze.

“Wonderful,” I murmur. “Another riddle.”

Frosty turns towards me with a raised brow.

“I didn’t hear anything.”

“Of course not.”

“We should head back.” He glances towards the sky. “Those clouds mean more snow.”

Above us, heavy white-gray clouds roll along the blue sky, blotting out the sun. Already, the temperature is beginning to drop. Looking over towards the statue, something kindles in my chest.

“Wait.” Before he can turn, I snag his arm. “I’m happy you did that. Hopefully, it brings us one step closer to ending this curse.”

His hand comes to rest atop mine.

“I didn’t do it for the curse—I did it because it was what I should’ve done long ago.” Dark blue blooms on his cheeks. “My motives were not completely altruistic. I wanted you to see that I wasn’t at all like the version of me you saw.”

“I know you're not.” He looks unsure, even as I give his arm a gentle squeeze. “That cruel, drunk king never would’ve spent hours teaching me to spell my name. He wouldn’t have cared to return the egg—keep showing me this Frosty. I like him.”

My heart races at my admission. Even the King seems at a loss for words.

It’s the truth. I do like him—more than I want to admit to. Sure, it’s quick, but why wait to acknowledge these feelings if time is running out? I like how he makes me feel. I enjoy his company when he isn’t behaving like a beast. More than that, I want to believe that the King I saw is not the one who stands before me today.

All my residual disappointment leaves me. This newfound bond between us deserves a chance to grow. If I let it, the path toward breaking the curse will reveal itself more easily. At least, I hope so. The snowflake at my throat hums, causing my lungs to vibrate. It is pleased with my confession.

“He—um—I like you too.” His face is awash in dark blue.

“What’s not to like? One day in my presence, you're already returning stolen sacred relics.” I shrug. “Who knows what you’ll have accomplished after a week in my company?”

He chuckles, tucking my hand in the crook of his arm and leading us from the fortress. I lean against his side as we pass under the archway. The warmth of his body seeps into me through my layers of clothing.

“It’s still early,” he says. “If you wanted to return to the library, we could?—”

Frosty goes silent, and his whole body tenses. For a second, I think he is about to be consumed by his beast. The vein in his neck is pulsing, and his fingers have curled into claws. I do not want to be stranded out here with that thing.

I open my mouth, but Frosty pins me with a sharp look.

“Get behind me. Now.”

I’m about to ask what’s going on when I hear it.

The snap of a twig is followed by the echoing snarl coming from just ahead of us. The white evergreen trees fall back, their branches snapping as it makes its way towards us. I can feel the ground rumbling with each mighty step. Its glowing blue eyes emerge first from the shadows. Then, two rows of sharp teeth and a saliva-soaked red tongue appear. It walks on all fours. Its white fur-covered body is corded with muscle.

A bear, larger than any I’ve seen, stares us down. Its eyes lock with mine as it scents the air.

The Frost King slides in front of me in one fluid movement.

I take a slow step back, trying not to make a sound. Blue light tingles in Frosty’s palms as the taste of metal coats my tongue.

“I will use my magic to take you back to the castle. I just need you to?—”

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