Page 48 of Gifted to the Frost King

Glimmer’s body is wracked with shivers. For the first time, I notice just how pale she looks. Her sparkle is fading quickly. She’s too weak to speak.

“While there is still time, I will search for more clues, Glimmer. I will do everything I can with however much time I have to do it,” I vow. “Now, let’s get out of this storm.”

Glimmer nods, a shimmering tear falling from her eyes as she turns and leads me from the frozen lake. Her wings barelyhold her up as we pass through the White Woods, and each pelt of snow weighs down her body. The wind picks up as the trees thin, indicating we are approaching a clearing.

Up ahead, I can see the sharp spires of the castle. Relief floods me, thinking of the warm fire awaiting Glimmer and I. Glimmer. Her blue body is not in front of me. It was there one moment and gone the next. A fresh downpour of snow hinders my vision.

“Glimmer!” I call over the rising wind. “Glimmer!”

I turn in circles as my clothes become soaked. My feet can barely stop upright on the ice. My eyes scan the white waste for any sign of her. Then I spot it, her curvy form resting atop a snow mound. Frost licks up her skin, and I quickly grab her.

Jagged breaths rasp out of her lungs. The warmth of my hands does nothing to eradicate her chill. She has little time, and only one male can save her. This curse has taken so much from everyone here, but I will not let it take Glimmer, too—not yet, at least.

Tucking her shaking body into my chest, I heft my legs through the snow. The castle gets closer. I know the King has warned me about seeking him out at night, but I don’t care. I’d rather take on the beast than lose my littlest friend.

23

DOVE

Bursting through the castle's front doors, I pause with Glimmer’s fading body in my hands.

Frosty told me where his room was, but I have no idea how to get there. The snowflake at my throat hums to life, and I watch it lift off my skin and into the air. I don’t have time to be shocked or even question it. Allowing it to tug me up the first set of stairs, I follow it, knowing in my heart that it’s taking me exactly where I need to go.

The journey up to the third floor is a long one. All the while, Glimmer grows colder and weaker in my hand. Her lips have frosted over, and her wings no longer shimmer. I quicken my steps as the snowflake glows with more urgency. We take sharp turns down desolate hallways and the steps two at a time before finally reaching a landing.

It’s eerily silent, but I can feel a presence lurking here.

The snowflake pulls me until I am standing before two massive double doors. I recognize them from a vision with their jewel-encrusted snowflakes adorning their surfaces. Pushing open the doors, I find the room barren. The furniture has all been covered with sheets and coated in frost. A fire roars to lifeat our entry, and I quickly set Glimmer down before it. Her eyes have fallen shut, and I swallow the lump in my throat.

“I’m going to get help. Hold on for me.”

There is another set of doors towards the back of the massive room. I know what is behind them. The heavy breathing seeps from underneath the door, as does the faint rattling of chains. I straighten my spine and take a calming breath. I have returned Frosty from the beast before and can do it again. Walking over, I feel the cool metal settle against my palms and twist the handle.

An icy breeze rips through me.

Even the snowflake at my throat has dimmed its glow. The spacious room is empty. What was once a large bed has been shredded into splitters. Feathers litter the ground from the torn-apart pillows. Sheets hang in ribbons off the side and decorate the floor. Large, deep slashes cut through the wood paneling of the walls. Shattered glass and ice coat the floor.

A low growl lifts my gaze as I take him in.

The Frost King—or at least his body—is here. His eyes are feral—the pupils are nearly swallowing the blue. He is shirtless, clad only in simple pants. The corded muscles of his chest and arms flex as my scent hits him. He bares his sharp fangs, thrashing against the chains wrapped around his waist and wrists. Dread turns my stomach, but I won’t be deterred.

Coming into the room, I straighten my spine.

“What are you doing in here?” he spits.

Those cold, unfeeling eyes rove over me.

“It’s Glimmer—she’s been hurt. I need your?—”

“You know better than to come near me when I am like this. You should fear me.”

I shake my head. “I don’t.”

“Foolish girl,” he snarls. “I will be your destruction. I am a monster, and it’s time you saw me as such. Free me from these chains, and I’ll show you.”

A shiver runs down my spine, but I shake it off. I walk closer to him, slowly eating up the space between us.

“I’m not scared of you,” I say firmly. “This is just the curse talking.”

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