Page 39 of Gifted to the Frost King

“I’ll see you tomorrow for more lessons.”

I tuck away his soft smile into my heart and quickly turn from the room. My bare feet move quickly down the carpeted halls. For the first time since I got here, I have no trouble finding my room.

Ducking inside, I quickly shut the door and slid down the front of it. Across from me, the tall mirror reflects me, and I gasp. I hardly recognize myself. My lips are red and swollen. My hair is one dark tangle. My dark eyes glow with a hidden warmth over my rosy cheeks.

I touch my lip and remember the feel of the King’s. The feelings inside me rise—as dangerous as sharp knives. I need to end this curse, for everyone’s sake. My resolve to uncover the secrets buried here has never been stronger, yet I’m more conflicted than ever.

After what just happened, I can’t help but think that breaking the curse may give me the chance to stay here with Frosty. Not forever, of course, but at least for a little while.

That’s what I tell myself anyway.

19

DOVE

Something feels different as I lay in bed that night.

For one, the moon has been up for over an hour, but the rock below my window remains matte and pale. The air in the room also feels different. There is no metal tinge of magic; it feels stagnant. I roll around on my bed, trying to quell my unease.

If only Frosty were here, he could surely relax me.

What he had done with his mouth was a revelation. Thinking back to what transpired in the library has me turning slippery between my legs again.You know, I never liked that nickname—Frosty. But hear you say it with my tongue buried in your pussy I may have just changed my mind.

He has a wonderfully filthy mouth.

I gladly would’ve said his real name if he had ever thought of giving it to me. In fairness, I haven’t asked, but when I offered up mine, surely that was the time to share it. Does he not trust me with it? Jealousy fills my stomach with unease. Did those males and females in the vision know it? Did he invite them to call him by it?

I stamp down those unwanted thoughts. There are more pressing matters at hand.

At last, a faint glow twinkles from the corner of my eye. Sighing, I rise from the bed, tightening my robe belt. The familiar rock glows differently tonight. Its blue is slightly off in color. Bending down to get a closer look, it also appears that the rock is muttering and cursing in a familiar squeaky voice.

I pluck Glimmer’s shimmering body out from behind the rock. Her blue form deepens in color as she bats her eyes at me.

“I was only trying to help,” she explains. “That rock won’t budge.”

Settling her plump body in my palm, I walk us back towards my bed.

“Maybe there are no clues to be uncovered tonight?” I offer.

“Hmmph,” the snow fairy pouts. “I wanted to get a head start on them. There isn’t much?—”

“Time,” I finish for her. “Yes, I know, but if this castle has nothing to show me, there is very little I can do about it.”

Glimmer’s color cools, and my heart aches, remembering the frozen bodies of her kind. How lonely she must feel. I tickle her round cheek.

“The egg has been restored to its rightful place in the fairy fortress,” I say. “The King feels deep regret for ever having stolen it.”

Glimmer’s color deepens, and her eyes glow bright.

“I remember more now—it’s been coming back in bits and pieces. He was a cruel male—callous and hate-filled after the death of his parents. His father had protected the snow fairies, buthesaw us as pawns.”

My lips curl down.

“There is no excuse for what he has done. The past cannot be changed, only the future. He wishes to make amends for the male he was—only time will tell if he is sincere.”

Glimmer nods before snapping to attention. Her gossamer wings flap excitedly as she buzzes before my face.

“You must change his heart—that’s it.When the heart is righted, so too shall curses be blighted.” At my confused look, she continues. “Essentially, any curse can be broken when the one it was cast upon has a change of heart. It’s written into all our magic—even dark.”

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