Page 118 of Frost Bound

She gasped, blushing bright red. No wonder her lady-in-waiting, Alda, had snickered when she’d picked out the Asteran gown.

The music started off achingly slow, and the king directed her effortlessly around the floor. He lifted their hands above her head and then draped them by his shoulders, before pressing a large warm palm over her midriff and leading them through the next steps. It was a bit of a stretch, but she popped up onto her toes, trying to follow as the music raced to a crescendo.

Her mind raced as she ran over all the titters, stares, and odd conversations she’d had during the night. They all thought she was a baby-making trollop.

“I’ll change.”

“Now, now, do not be hasty. That is why I took a human bride after all. Peace through marriage, and an heir.”

She craned her neck to stare up at Neve, whose eyes glittered dangerously. What the devil had gotten into him tonight? Was this still about her sneaking from their bed? She’d never planned on getting close to the king, but the more time she spent with him, the more she liked him. The kiss was never supposed to happen, and yet she couldn’t stop thinking about it, even if she didn’t have any right.

She was the traitor. The deceiver. The one tasked to kill him.

Neve was rough around the edges, but he cared for her, and he didn’t deserve it.

“Then I’ll leave.”

His grip tightened on her a moment before he spun her around. She caught her breath as his hands settled on her hips, before he threw her into the air, catching her around the thighs. She glanced at the other dancers, who all held their partners in a similar hold.

He spun in a slow circle, his grip loosening a touch, so she began to slide down his hard body. A riot of emotions swirled in her gut as her feet finally touched the floor, the song ending at last. Neve took her right hand and bent over it, kissing the back, in the very same place Bacti had.

Understanding clicked into place.

He wasjealous.

His tongue slipped out, licking one knuckle, and she shuddered. He was playing games with her.

The audience broke out in applause, breaking the moment, and the king straightened, pulling her toward their table. He moved to his silver chair that was so big it was really a throne, and sat. He tumbled her into his lap, tossing her legs over the arm of the chair. She grabbed the sides of his robe and stared up at his flexing jawline.

“Bad day,niliov?”Husband. It was the first time she’d used the word.

All his attention focused on her face. “I am husband to you now? Even though you creep from our bed each morning?”

Dahlia winced. “I had to think.” He turned away from her, but she reached up and cupped his cheek, forcing him to stare down at her. “I wasn’t prepared for you, for this life. I’m doing the best I can.”

Neve swallowed, a touch of softness around his eyes, but it disappeared in an instant. “You run my from touches and yetyou inviteBacti’s.” His accent thickened. “You wear another’s jewelry.”

Lia shook her head, caressing his jawline. He thought her ring was from another suitor? “I did not. I’m not sure what you saw…”

“You smiled at him.”

“I hid my unease beneath a smile.” She gave him a firm look. “If you’d been paying attention to me and not the giant you’re jealous of, maybe you would have seen that. And as for the ring, it was one of the few gifts from my mother.”A truth and a lie.

Lia really looked at him. There were shadows underneath his eyes, and a new cut at the base of his neck that the collar of his robe covered. She dropped her hand to gently touch the very edge. “What happened?”

His lips thinned. “An act of war.”

She jerked. “What do you mean?”

He glared down at her like he knew her deep dark secrets. “Your family set mercenaries on a fishing village. Ten out of fifty survived.”

“I’m so sorry.” Why would Allium and Randa do such a thing?

“You do not refute what I’ve said?” The words held a challenge.

“No matter who ordered the attack, it is still sad.”

“Why are you here?” he hissed.

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