Page 44 of Gifted to the Frost King

“Trust me. You have been a good male to me and shown me kindness. Taught me not just how to read but also about myself.” I meet his mouth again, committing the feeling to memory. “I will do everything I can to ensure you get to show the people of this land the male I’ve come to know.”

Frosty shakes his head.

“How was such a wretched male like me blessed to know you?”

We kiss again. His hands are seeking underneath my coat. He cups my bottom, roughly shaping it as I moan into his mouth. The world around us melts away. My heart hammers against my ribs, and I clench my thighs together to soothe the ache.

A throat clears delicately, and I remember we aren’t alone.

“We have to go,” Glimmer urges. “Now.”

Reluctantly pulling back, I give Frost a brave smile.

“I will be safe. Glimmer will lead me back to the castle.”

His eyes flash as he presses a hand to his stomach.

“Go. The beast is in a foul mood, and I don’t know how long I can keep him away.”

Appraising him one last time, resolve settles along my bones. I will break this curse—I will free all who are trapped here. With that decision made, I let Glimmer lead me deeper into the darkening woods.

22

DOVE

The path to the frozen lake could not be more treacherous.

The weather has worsened since I left Frosty’s side and followed Glimmer’s shimmering body in the woods. This indicates that the curse's powerful force is reaching new heights. The ice-cold wind lashes my face and cuts through the wool of my clock. Heavy flurries float down from the trees, deepening the snow at my feet.

Several times, I nearly stumble. To her credit, Glimmer keeps a quick pace, dodging the heavy snowfall. Her blue color has gone pale, and the thick fog obscures her.

It feels like we’ve been walking for hours. The light is quickly fading as heavy clouds cover the moon.

“Come on!” Glimmer calls over the roaring wind. “The storm’s only going to get worse.”

The snowflake at my throat glows brightly in agreement. If not for it, we would be lost out here.

“Hurry!” the snow fairy’s shrill voice calls again.

My foot gets stuck in a deep snow mound. I pull it out with an icy snap. The bottom half of my dress is soaked and clings to mylegs. Glimmer only flies quicker. I’m nearly running to keep up with her. Each deep breath feels like a knife to my chest.

“I don’t have wings, Glimmer,” I pant. “Can you slow down a bit?”

Glimmer pauses, a flash of blue in a sea of unyielding white, and turns back to face me. Her small mouth twists down, and her wings sag. She flutters back towards me, placing a cool hand on my cheek.

“Sorry,” she chirps. “It’s just—ever since I went into that corridor with you, I’m starting to remember. Shards of memories have started knitting back together, making everything much clearer.”

Her body glows dark blue.

“Like the day the curse was laid.”

Wiping snow from my eyes, I give her a puzzled expression.

“I thought you said you weren’t there.”

Glimmer shakes her head before urging me to continue at a more reasonable pace this time. The snow is getting thicker, and the howling wind cuts to the bone.

“I wasn’t—but I remember somehow. It’s like someone gifted me the memories.” Her glowing eyes widen. “The frozen lake will reveal what has been lost to me.It is a legend among my kind. If you ever lose your way, the frozen lake will reveal itself to you. It reflects what has been and what could be.”

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