Page 119 of Frost Bound

“Because you bought me.”A truth.

He caught her chin. “Can I trust you,valles?”

“As much as I can trust you.”

The king scoffed, leaning so close that his lips almost touched her own. Her breath hitched, and tempered interest carved a smirk onto his face.

“I don’t think you’re as innocent as you pretend to be.”

“And I don’t think you’re as cruel as you think you are,” she retorted.

“You and I are bound.” He sighed. “But we are also doomed.”

Two truths.

Both of which she didn’t want to acknowledge.

The festival progressed lateinto the night, until finally Dahlia snuck away, intending to seek her bed. She gave a sleepy smile to a few of their people as she wandered out of the ballroom and into the immense hallway leading to the entryway.

As she passed a shadowed alcove, a hand wrapped around her wrist and yanked her into the space. Her back slammed against the freezing window, stealing the air from her lungs. She clawed at Bacti’s lavender hand, barely able to breathe.

He leaned into her space, and she turned her face away from him as he ran his nose along her cheek. “It’s time you and I had a conversation,valles. How fragile you are.” The giant gave her throat one more squeeze. “Keep your mouth shut and I won’t take your life right now.”

She nodded and he relaxed his grip. Lia coughed, eyes watering as she stared up into Bacti’s terrible face. “What do you want?” she rasped, dropping her shaking hands from his wrist to the top of her dress. If she played this right, she could get to her knife.

“What everyone wants, littlesaloes. Power.”

“How do you expect to get that from me?” she said, leaning heavily against the window; her pointer finger dipped into the top of her dress, just brushing the pommel of her blade.

Just a little more.

“You have been a thorn in my side since you arrived. You’re everywhere, and yet no useful information has been shared about this palace.”

Dahlia’s jaw dropped. The lavender giant gave her a smug smile.

“Did you really think you were going to be sent here without any supervision?” He cocked his head, licking his lips. “You’ve had two jobs, and yet you’ve failed on all fronts.” She froze as he glanced down her body and then back up. “Your queen made a mistake sending a common whore.”

“How dare you speak to me in such a manner,” she snapped, fear tightening in her gut.

“Yes,valles, keep playing your part.” He pressed her harder against the window and crowded over her. “You have one day before I spill your secrets to thereillov. One day before I send word to have your mother executed.” She flinched as he ran his tongue along the rounded shell of her ear. “And don’t worry, we’re very close to finding your brother.”

“I’ve done everything the queen asked except commit regicide.” Tears blurred her eyes. “The king gave Astera everything they wanted for peace. Why?”

Bacti grinned, but it sent a shiver down her spine. “Because we don’t want peace. Mixing our people is unnatural. Imagine how our people will react when the human queen murders their fearless ruler. They will band together and eviscerate you.”

“What do you get out of this? What did Allium promise you?”

He pressed a soft kiss to her cheekbone. “I can’t spill all of my secrets.” Bacti released her neck and stepped back as she doubled over, catching her breath. “Tick-tock,valles.”

The giant winked at her and backed away, swagger in his step. Dahlia tilted her head back against the window and blinked away her tears.

There was no way out.

Either the people she loved died or she did.

Chapter Forty-Three

Neve

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