Page 117 of Frost Bound

Qov.He’d forgotten all about the bloody festival.

He stalked through the palace, servants and courtiers alike scurrying out of his way. He cleaned up, donning simple black leathers and boots, and a sleeveless black brocade robe, leaving his chest bared. Olwen awaited him as he left his chambers. His friend took one look at the scowl on his face and fell in step beside him.

“How bad is it?” Olwen asked.

“I buriedchildren,” he growled, his stomach swirling with sickness.

This was whatsaloesdid.

“Why would they risk an attack?” His friend asked. “You’ve a treaty. You’re married to their daughter.”

“That is the question of the hour, isn’t it? I think we should ask my dear wife.”

They reached the ballroom that faced the lake, clear windows so high and wide that the stars seemed to reflect off the floor, making it seem as if the people were dancing in the jewel-studded sky.

He paused in the doorway, observing the celebration. Luxurious tables laden with decorations and food lined the edges of the ballroom, framing the dance floor. He scanned the room for a familiar head of rose-gold hair as he moved to the refreshment table. A servant handed him a goblet of spiced wine, which he tossed back.

Just where was his little wife?

He caught sight of her on the dance floor in the arms of Bacti, one hand near hiscaern’ye.

Wearing the color ofFrost.

Pale blues seemed to swirl on the flowy skirts as she floated across the dance floor. The edges of her bodice swooped up at the shoulders, creating jeweledcaern’ye. Tonight, she looked like a Frost Queen.

And yet anothervallosheld her.

Neve took another goblet from a tray and watched as thevallestipped her head back and laughed at something the pretty giant said. Neve growled and sipped his wine, ignoring how Olwen was watching him from the corner of his eye.

The dance ended and Dahlia still hadn’t seen him. She was too wrapped up in Bacti. A growl rumbled in his throat when the giant placed his hand on her lower back, pulling her a little closer to his body. The hair along his arms rose as Bacti kissed the back of her hand and gave Lia a sultry look. Pink filled her cheeks, and she glanced away coyly.

“Today has been a rough day,” Olwen said softly. “It was just a dance.”

“She’s smiling at him,” he gritted out. And the bastard was staring at her lips. Did he want to lick and bite them too? His fingers tightened on the silver cup. He wouldn’t take any more of this. Neve tossed back the wine and handed the goblet to his friend. “It’s time to retrieve myniliave.”

Chapter Forty-Two

Dahlia

Jekket had givenher five days to kill the king before her ruse was revealed.

Tomorrow would be day five. Nausea rose up. The poison ring felt heavy upon her hand.

Bacti smirked at her. “It was a pleasure to dance with you, my lady.”

She glanced away from him, hiding her discomfort behind a smile. “Thank you.”

Neve entered her line of sight, stalking toward her, black robes flowing around his legs, chest bare. He looked like some sort of pagan god. Her breath hitched as he drew closer, his attention completely focused on her.

The Frost King ignored Bacti and held his hand out. “Lae reilleve.”My queen. “Shall we dance?”

She pulled her hand from the giant’s and placed it in Neve’s. He’d come to save her. The king cut through the crowd and spun her until her back pressed against his abdomen. He held herarms out to both sides and curled his fingers around her wrists, like giant shackles.

“You wear the color ofFrost,” he whispered in her ear. “Why?”

“Because I knew it was a midwinter festival. I am trying to fit in.”

A low chuckle escaped him that caused a shiver to run down her spine. “You will always stand out,valles. Especially when you wear the color of fertility in public. One that is a symbol to all you are ready for a child.”

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