Page 56 of Frost Bound

Neve wrapped his hands around her dainty waist, his claws touching in the back. She weighed nothing as he perched her sideways on Nova, who pranced a little bit. He peered up at hisloviaye, and frowned as he watched her wince and try to shift carefully.

“Are you in pain?” he growled.

“No,” she replied, her face a mask of serenity.

A lie.

He inhaled deeply and paused as the scent of sweets and florals were stronger. What the devil was that?

“Am I expected to ride sidesaddle?”

“No.” He inhaled again. Was it the soap?

“Okay. Then be off with you. I am alright.”

She’d dismissed him.Again.

Neve bowed to her, his jaw clenched, and spun around to Cessa. He leapt onto therukhal’s back and nudged him to turn around. He watched with keen eyes as the princess slowly moved her right leg over Nova’s back. Her face never creased once, but perspiration shone on her forehead.

Were humans tired out so easily?

He grimly turned his attention away.

Just get through the day. Marry yourvallesand be done with it.

If only it were that easy.

Chapter Twenty

Neve

Nightfall approached,and with it his nerves.

Neve stared at the Olek Mountains to the northeast as the sun began to set.

They’d made good time on therukhals.They were so close he could see the immense holy tree in the distance, and the hair rose along his arms. Only a few more minutes before he would lead hisloviayeacross the life-bringing waters and be bound to thevallesfor the rest of his life.

His hearts pounded at the thought, and his palms grew a little sweaty.

It was one thing to commit himself to this treaty, and another thing to follow through with it.

“I love this part of our land,” Eyri commented softly. “It feels magical, festive.”

Neve glanced to his cousin and tried to smile, but it was forced. Nothing about this day felt magical or festive. In fact, an impending sense of doom hovered over him that made him want to bolt into the snowy winter lands.

Eyri looked over his shoulder and switched to Loriian: “I know she’s not what you would have chosen for yourself, but at least she’s not like her parents.”

He grimaced, brows slashing together. “That we know of.” The princess hadn’t complained too much over the last week, but that didn’t mean she was innocent. There was no way she was unscathed, being raised among such vipers, even if she had been cloistered.

“Do you really think that woman is a spy?” Eyri asked. “She’s kept to herself. Not once has she tried to get into our good graces.”

“Flyka.” While he was appreciative for thevalles’ help, why had she done it? No one had known she possessed those skills. What did she expect to get out of the deal? Did she think it would endear them to her?

Eyri sighed. “What did she gain from that?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re always so suspicious.”

---