Page 25 of Frost Bound

She swallowed hard and gave him one sharp nod.

“Now be gone with you and don’t turn back.”

Neve released her roughly and she stumbled forward. The little female crashed through the curtain, not looking back. He sighed as he listened to her flee from the alcove, slippers slapping against the stone floor.

Good riddance.

Rolling his shoulders, he glided out of the alcove and straightened his cloak. Maybe he’d do just a little bit more exploring before he returned to his people.

Discover just what secrets the humans wanted to keep from him.

Chapter Ten

Dahlia

It wasa miracle that she made it back to her room.

Dahlia hugged a satin pillow to her chest and sang softly whilst she sat on the floor of the spacious wardrobe, eyes glued to the door, waiting for the monster to find her.

When would the demon come for her? She could still feel his whispered threats crawling along her skin.

Duck and cover, for the beasts now roam. Escape now quickly, don’t lead them home.

Don’t tarry, don’t tarry, my dear little one. You are not alone and the danger is gone.

How long had she been hiding? Time warped, and all she could do was rock and count to shut out the fear—the memories.

Vacant eyes, blood, Cosmos.

Sleep and dream for the day is naught. Stars will keep you while fear is fought.

Don’t tarry, don’t tarry, my dear little one. You are not alone and the danger is gone.

If the monster was coming for her, she didn’t want to see it. Pressing her forehead to the tops of her knees and closing her eyes, she fought against her memories and lost.

Nine YearsEarlier

Sometimes Lia hated being an older sister.

She loved her younger brother Cosmos but sometimes, just sometimes, she wished she could go out without having to worry about him. With her mum always working, Lia had to take care of her rambunctious little brother, and it was … annoying. He was constantly sticky, hungry, and making a mess of things.

Dahlia sighed and sat on the edge of the fountain in the center of town. She longed to go play with the other girls, but none of them wanted a dirty little boy around, which meant Lia had to follow her brother everywhere as he ran with other littles his age, played in mudpuddles, or collected bugs.

She scuffed her bare toes along the dirt between the old cobbles of the street and glanced toward the snow-capped mountains that loomed above the little town. Her mum said soon the ground would be covered, and they’d have to wear boots again.

She couldn’t wait. Winter was magical.

“Lia, come play with us!” Her head snapped up and she smiled at Maege. The little girl waved her light blue hand in acome heregesture.

Dahlia shook her head and kicked her buckskin-covered legs. “Mama is harvesting today. I have to mind Cosmos.”

Maege frowned. “He’s playing with the other boys. Come weave crowns with us. We’re going to be princesses.”

She glanced over her shoulder at Cosmos. He was right there in the square playing marbles. It wasn’t as if she was leaving him. They were in the same area. Maybe they could both play.

“Okay,” she said slowly, hopping down from the fountain. Lia padded over to the girls and waved shyly. “Hi.”

A chorus of hellos and fanged smiles greeted her. Maege patted the spot beside her and Dahlia plopped down, taking the vine her friend offered. She once again checked on her little brother, who hadn’t moved from his spot. Some of the worry left her as she tied the vine into a circle and began to weave fall leaves into a crown with the other girls.

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