Page 11 of Frost Bound

“Immunity. The crown puts them through a rigorous set of … well, let’s call them tests to make sure they’re fit.”

A shiver of foreboding swirled in her belly.

Torture. He meant torture.

Lia held her breath as they crossed the drawbridge, her gaze straying to the lotus flowers in the moat, and pausing on the golden eyes that glittered from the murky water below.

The Giver leaned down to whisper in her ear: “Did you know those beasties survive on live human flesh?”

Her stomach churned. “Live?”

He patted her hand. “Don’t feel sad, sweet flower. They were traitors. They deserved it.”

Her knees wobbled beneath her skirt, and it was all she could do not to tear her arm from Adder’s and run. She took slow, steady breaths as they entered the bailey. It bustled with servants, farm workers, and castellans. The air held the scent of iron, fresh bread, the stables, and exotic flowers.

It was almost enough to make her want to throw up.

A nondescript man approached them and exchanged words with Jekket ahead of them. The half-giant nodded to the Giver.They changed their direction, and instead of going through the gatehouse, they veered toward the brewery. No one spared them a glance as they entered the small, warm building smelling of hops.

“Where are we going?” she braved to ask, as they wove through copper stills.

“You’ll see soon enough.” Adder tightened his grip on her hand, his touch a bit too rough. She winced and nodded to the man they’d been following when he opened a plain wooden door, revealing a wide stone corridor. It looked like a gaping mouth ready to gobble them up. Her skin prickled as they walked into the enclosed space. Their party was silent, and time seemed to stretch out with each clack of their heeled boots against the marble floor.

Her pulse leapt when another simple door appeared at the end of the long hallway. Jekket opened it, and the Giver halted for a moment, his black gaze wandering over her face. “Be silent unless spoken to, and make sure you think before you speak. You’re smart, Dahlia. Don’t do something stupid that will get your brother—or yourself—killed, or I’ll be very put out.”

“Just what are we walking into?” she whispered.

“Victory, my flower. Sweet victory.”

That didn’t bode well.

Words fled her as they stepped through the door and moved through a curtain of lush ivy.

Pure opulence surrounded her.

She gaped open-mouthed as she took in the grand splendor of what appeared to be a solarium. White marble columns with copper streaks carved like trees stretched toward the arched ceiling that was studded with gold stars. Two mirror fountains ran down opposite walls and collected into crystal clear pools with pale sand bottoms and colorful fish. The air was scented with the lilies that grew in bright clusters around the room.Chaise lounges littered the solarium in intimate corners, like a warm invitation.

“Close your mouth, Lia. We don’t want our hosts to think us simpletons,” Adder commented, his tone teasing.

She snapped her mouth closed with a blush. “I didn’t think we were coming inside theactualpalace.” How’d he even manage to get inside? Her gaze strayed to the door they had passed through, now hidden behind a wall of ivy. “I shouldn’t be here,” she muttered.

“Hush, and do compose yourself.” He released her arm, and she felt a thread of panic. What was he doing? “You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

A footman peeled away from the door and nodded to them. He pressed on a vein of copper on the wall, and it slid to the side, revealing another secret doorway at the end of the room. Adder sauntered through the solarium like he owned the place and slipped through the doorway. She hustled after him, not willing to be left alone. She frowned and slowed next to the fountain as she spotted a serpent the color of blood coiled up at the edge of the water. It struck one of the fish and slithered away with its prey.

Godsteeth, Lia hoped she wasn’t the fish in this situation.

“Hurry up,” Jekket growled behind her. His hand brushed along the curve of her hips, making her jaw clench. He’d always been too touchy, with a violent temper on the side.

She brushed off his hand and slipped into another dark corridor, but this one led to a spiral staircase. Dahlia trudged up behind the Giver, her gaze latching on to his right hand. His fingers clenched into a fist, and then released over and over as they ascended the staircase.

A nervous tic. That didn’t bode well.

She studied Adder from the back. Lia had visited him every week for over a year to pay off their debt. Never once had sheseen him this formally dressed. Every inch of him was covered from neck to boot. She frowned. It was as if he was trying to hide his lineage—which was odd considering it was part of the reason he had such a fearsome reputation. Everyone knew Loriians were monsters, and Adder played it up.

Her thighs burned as they climbed four stories of stairs. They reached a platform where an older man awaited them, dressed in so much white lace it made his red face look like a tomato set on a doily.

“Basil,” Adder commented.

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