Page 43 of Gifted to the Frost King

Sadness flattens his mouth. His hand drifts to my shoulder, gently twisting a tendril of my hair around his pale fingers.

“I don’t remember it,” he whispers. “Another thing the curse has stolen from me.”

The breath shudders out of me. The anguish in his eyes is as fresh as the snow around us. My heart shatters into a million pieces. How foolish I had been for thinking he did not want me to know his name—did not want me to call him by it. I can tell how much he cares for me. Why would he keep such a secret from me unless he had no choice?

My poor Frosty.

Pressing up on my toes, I meet his mouth with mine. In a second, we are fevered, fighting with teeth and tongues to see who can devour the other the quickest. His hands fall to my back, hauling me against him and his hardness. I moan against his lips, delving my tongue in deep. My hands curl into his chest, locking him to me.

We hold each other as if we could be ripped apart at any moment. His taste and smell overwhelm my senses until there is nothing but him.

“You are too good for me,” he growls against my mouth. “Too perfect—if only I had time to do this properly. Court you in the way you deserve.”

“I don’t need to be courted,” I whimper, kissing him harder. “I want to be right here with you.”

He pulls back slightly as we catch our breath. My nose and cheeks ache from the cold. The feral gleam in his eyes sparks before melting away. His hands trace up and down my back before digging into my hair. Pressing a soft kiss to my lips, he grins down at me.

“I promised to show you my kingdom. How easily I forget everything when I am with you.”

“Good,” I say, tilting my head for another kiss.

He rewards me with it before tucking my hand in the crook of his arm.

“Come, I have much to show you.”

And so he does.

We spent the rest of the afternoon flitting between the different shops. Frosty uses his magic to bring some of them back to life. At least enough for us to enjoy warm mugs of melted chocolate. The frost preserved most of the ingredients, and I’ve never tasted anything so decadent.

Strolling through town, the frozen inhabitants faded away, and everything felt almost normal. The bookstore had been filled to the brim with old texts. I could see why a female who loved reading as much as his mother enjoyed the shop.

The hours passed quickly as we milled about. We shared laughs and kisses. Everything was so perfect until Frosty began to cough. His muscles were drawn tight, and his eyes went wild. With a sinking feeling, I knew our time was nearly up. It wouldn’t be long before the beast emerged.

“I’m sorry to cut this short, Dove. I’ve used a lot of magic today, and the beast is growing restless. It would be best if?—”

A swift buzzing sound cuts him off. A glittering orb flies through the air before stopping between us. In a shock of blue light, Glimmer appears, her coloring as vibrant as ever. Her wings flutter at her back as she bobs with excitement.

“I found it!” she announces with pride. “The frozen lake. We need to hurry before it disappears again.”

My eyes go wide as they meet Frosty’s.

“I will accompany you,” he says, even as he nearly doubles over from a cough.

“Out of the question,” Glimmer titters. “I’m remembering more now, and I know the frozen lake will not welcome you.”

Blue rises in Frosty’s cheeks.

“Glimmer, I—for what I did to your people, I’m so sorry. If only?—”

“We don’t have time for that. Apologize to me once the curse is broken.” The snow fairy flies towards me and snags a piece ofmy hair. “We have to go now. There isn’t time to wait for it to reappear again.”

“It’s too dangerous,” Frosty states.

I shake my head, touching his cold cheek.

“I will be alright.”

He opens his mouth to argue, but I silence him with a kiss.

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