Page 29 of Frost Bound

She peered up at the queen, a little queasy. Allium reminded her of a spider sitting upon a throne, ready to devour her. Dahlia fought back a shudder as she got a good look at the thrones.Large insects were trapped perfectly inside the amber like little trophies.

Like how they’d trapped her.

The queen smiled but it was chilly. “I assume you know the stakes if you should fail…?”

“I will not fail.”I’ll run.

Allium hummed, her blood-red lips pursed. “My king, what do you think?”

Randa pushed his ginger curls from his face and grinned. “I think she knows what is at stake should she fail.”

Thank the fates that Cosmos was out of their grasp. Once she crossed the Loriian border, she would disappear, reconnect with her brother, and flee south. There was no way they could stay in Astera, but they could start over. They would be free.

The king grinned, but it was more of a baring of his teeth. “I like you, Dahlia. Our spies have said that you’ve been very obedient and have kept to yourself since your arrival in our home. Your silence made me curious. Quiet people can’t always be trusted, can they, my dear?”

Her heart thumped harder in her chest. Had they discovered her brother’s disappearance already? She didn’t dare look at Basil. She kept her attention focused on the king, maintaining her blank expression.

He clicked his painted nails against the armrest of his throne, his smile smug. “I had my son do a little digging. It seems Cosmos isn’t your only family member, is he?”

Her stomach dropped.No.

Lia’s mind whirled and her fingers sank into her gauzy green skirt. He couldn’t know about their mother. She’d never told a soul about…

“It seems you’ve been hiding your dear old mum in the northern countryside.”

A lump rose in her throat and the air felt thin. How did they find out? Even Cosmos didn’t know that their mum still breathed.

King Rada’s smile widened. “I can see from the gleam in your eye that you’ve been weaving a tangled web of lies, dear child. Just know that your secret will stay safe with us—your mother will stay safe as long as you do what you are told. If not…” He drew a line across his throat. “…we will relieve that foolish creature of her existence.”

Spots danced across Dahlia’s vision, and she wavered slightly. Basil clutched her left arm, squeezing a bit too hard. A warning.

Get a hold of yourself.

“You’ll be a good girl, won’t you?” the king crooned.

Lia found herself nodding as she tried to tamp down the panic. Every time she thought she’d crawled out of the hole she found herself in, Dahlia found herself deeper down. When would the dirt start raining down?

“Good. We have another task for you.” The king’s smile turned predatory. “We wish to be apprised of your movements, and any … discoveries … you make while visiting Loriia.”

“What should I be looking for, Your Majesty?” she said, throat dry.

“Anything that will help us.”

“I will do my best.”

“I’m sure you will,” Allium said. “But that is not all. That kingdom has caused problems for us for a long time. We wish to be rid of this new king and his presence in our lives. You will do this for us.”

Dahlia’s lips parted but she managed to keep in her gasp. They wanted her to assassinate the Frost King. She glanced at Basil, but he stared straight ahead like he listened to murder plans all the time. For all she knew, maybe he did.

“Will that be a problem?” the king asked, syrup coating his tone, but not able to hide the glee and malice in his gaze.

“No,” she all but whispered.

“Excellent. I know this won’t be an easy challenge, but I’m sure you’ll use every singleassetof yours to the fullest.”

Translation, seduce the Frost King if you must.

Lia wanted to throw up.

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