Page 10 of Frost Bound

“You cannot be casual with your safety.”

“I know.”

“You are the last true king, with no heir.” Her jaw tightened. “I still struggle with whyyouhad to come fetch thesaloes, but I supported you.”

Neve nodded. He’d honestly been surprised when she volunteered to come with the delegation to secure the princess. “You know why I had to come. How could I expect the people toaccept this marriage if I wasn’t following our customs? Things must change.”

“As you say,lae reillov.” She swallowed hard.

“Speak your mind,” he murmured.

She turned to face him, turmoil creased into her forehead. “I understand that, but other arrangements could have been made. You are in too much danger, and the Frost Throne should not have been left unattended.”

“Lumi is responsible.”

“She is, but she’s not you.” He warmed at the compliment. “We cannot change the situation we are in, but I would ask you to trust my judgment when it comes to your protection. Eyri will continue to impersonate you until we reach Loriia. You’ll go by your middle name Arun.” He opened his mouth to speak and shut it when she gave him a stern look. “No questions asked.”

“You know I trust you with my life, Flyka. Nothing has changed.”

She studied his face as if looking for a lie. “Hasn’t it, though?”

Neve’s chest tightened. “Lo bietelle.” I’m sorry.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. We both knew this was to be the outcome.” She shifted on her feet, a very un-Flyka thing to do. “We need to find the road back to friendship. I don’t like this murky area of unease.”

The tightness in his lungs eased some. “I as well.”

She gave him a small, crooked grin. “Then it’s settled. The past is the past and you’ll listen to your Haunts from here on out.”

“You mean you?”

“Who else?” She nodded to the door. “I believe it’s time for sleep, my lord. You’ll sleep with the other Haunts, and behave until we pass the Loriian border once more.”

“As my lady Haunt commands,” he said. Not that he would get any sleep. “What of the assassin?”

Flyka smiled, fangs exposed. “He’ll enjoy our hospitality until we can return him to his monarchs, of course.”

Chapter Six

Dahlia

The trekto the palace was a somber affair. Well, it was on her side.

The bloody Giver hadn’t stopped spouting off random facts as they passed through the city. He’d even had the audacity to loop her arm through his like they were lovers out on a morning stroll. In a swirl of dread and fear, Dahlia had allowed it, not daring to prod the temperamental snake. She needed to keep her head. Cosmos’ life depended on it.

The slums gave way to family homes and then the markets. The circular maze-like cobbled streets looped over each other, gradually getting wider. Fancy inns and restaurants bracketed the road, all bustling with well-dressed workers off to do their masters’ bidding.

She tried not to stare too hard at the massive homes that held highborn men and women. Lia had only ever come this far into the capital city of Astera once—and it was at night. The architecture was stunning, almost enough to distract her from the task at hand.

Almost.

All too soon, the palace loomed before them, the soaring outer wall jutting from the ground like bleached white bone. Lush green vines hung over the edge of the wall, softening it a touch. She had the feeling that once she entered the walls of the royal palace, she’d forever be trapped in games she had no business playing.

Adder noticed her attention on the plants. “Did you know the plants are flesh eaters and poisonous?”

She blinked slowly. A drunk soldier had once told her as much, but Lia had never put any stock into it. She squinted at the top of the wall once again, noticing a few soldiers.

“How do they not get sick?” she mused to herself.

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