Page 54 of Frost Bound

His breath caught and his stomach dropped.

Dahlia stood just outside the inn, in the whiteloviayegarb. The dress molded to her body. His mind flashed back to the tub the night before, at all the exposed flesh he’d glimpsed before she dropped down into the foamy water. He shook his head to dispel the image. He had never been curious about human bodies. He’d expected to be disgusted, and a part of him was, but the other half had beenintrigued.

There’s something wrong with you.

Dahlia shivered and pulled the white cloak closed, ending his perusal. Thevallesglanced at him, her strange eyes rounded in her fair face. He frowned. There were dark spots beneath her eyes and her nose was bright red. He’d noticed that her skin changed colors in the cold, but the princess had been indoors all night.

Dahlia approached him, her attention turning to Cessa, who crunched on his apple happily. She paused before him, her ginger scent mixing with the crisp air. He pursed his lips as he scented something florally and sweet. Her soap?

Soapy bubbles slipping down slick skin.

That way danger lies.

“You ride stags?” she whispered as if it would scare away therukhals.

Neve glanced at Cessa, who eyed the princess with interest, probably wondering if she had another treat for him. “They are calledrukhals,” he found himself explaining. “They travel far better in the deeper snow than our horses. Much nimbler, albeit slower at times.”

“Can I pet him?” she rasped, her voice throatier.

A smile tried to sneak onto his face, but he squashed it immediately. “Cessa is gentle to all.” He stepped away so hisrukhalcould meet thevalles. “Let him scent you first,” he said gruffly.

“Hello, Cessa,” she crooned, holding her hand out flat. His beastie crept closer and gave the princess two heavy sniffs. She held absolutely still as Cessa pressed a little closer. A soft tinkling laugh escaped her as she ran her hand along therukhal’s downy nose. “Aren’t you just a beautiful boy? Absolutely stunning.”

Cessa leaned into her as she continued to pet his nose, then neck, and finally wide chest.

A bright smile bloomed across her face that made her eyes crinkle at the corners. For some reason, it didn’t bother him as much. In fact, it was almost enchanting until it widened to show her flat teeth. He smothered his shudder. She hugged Cessa, pressing her temple to his neck, and crooned softly to the beastie while he snuffled her hair.

It amazed him howsaloescould be so gentle to animals, and then completely ruthless to other beings in the next moment.

They cannot be trusted.

“Rukhalsare noble beasts. They are not meant to be hugged.” He flinched at the sneer in his own voice, but hardened his heart. Showing some affection to hisrukhaldidn’t make her any less human.

She recoiled, smile completely gone, her cracked lips tugging into a severe thin line. Dahlia ignored him, and reached into her pocket to pull out an apple that had been split in half.

“He has already had an…” he trailed off as she fed Cessa the half of the apple, pressing a kiss to the top of his snout. She then moved to therukhalhe had chosen for her and fed that beastie a treat as well.

Without another word, she turned away from him and marched back into the inn. She nodded to Olwen before slamming the door behind her.

“That wasn’t very ladylike,” Neve muttered in Loriian. “A spoiledvalles.”

Olwen’s brows rose, his smile crooked. “And the way you stole her wonder and joy away didn’t have anything to do with her reaction?”

Neve shifted uncomfortably. “I cannot trust her.”

His friend walked through the slush and clasped a hand on Neve’s shoulder. “I don’t disagree with you. Until she proves herself, we shouldn’t trust her, but we don’t have to be cruel.”

“She is asaloes. You have lost as much as I because of their race.”

“Aye,” Olwen said, his brows furrowing. “But in the time we have spent with the princess, she’s not been rude or cruel to us. She’s taken our teasing with more grace than I would in her situation. Plus, we’ve ridden hard even though she’s soft and our mounts much too wide for her to be comfortable. Not once has she complained. I can respect that. If we show some kindness, perhaps we will gain an ally, no? Isn’t that the reason for your marriage?”

She was a task he needed to complete. That’s all Neve had planned on. He hadn’t planned on her fire, or resilience, or how much he liked to needle thevalles. He’d expected many more fitsalong the way, and she’d been quiet, apart from her humming softly.

Except for when you provoke her.

“How do you think she will react when she finds out you’re really the king and her new husband?” Olwen asked in Loriian, his face turning to the inn. “She’s warmed up to Eyri quite well.”

Everyone liked his cousin, including the princess. And it bothered him, just a touch.

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