Page 68 of Frost Bound

The tiny room seemed to close in on her and the air much too hot. She couldn’t breathe. Lia needed to get out now.

He cocked his head as she neared the door. “Do you really think you’re going to get away? Run away from this situation?”

Her hand curled over the knob. “I won’t stay. Ican’tstay.”

Dahlia yanked open the door as he rushed her. She threw the blankets at him as she slipped out the exit and into a large open room. Three startled giantesses gazed back at her from her right. Lia lunged for the door on the left that looked like escape.

All she had to do was get outside and then she could … she could…

Her feet left the floor and her back slammed into a hard warm surface. Lia coughed hard, and she scratched at the bare blue forearms wrapped around her.

“Let me go!” she hissed, kicking uselessly at the giant holding her in the air.

“Never. We must speak.”

Lia reached out a trembling hand to the oldest female, with gray streaks in her black hair. “Help me.”

The older female placed her hands on her hips. “Put thereillevedown. She’s in no condition to be tossed about by the likes of you.”

“She was trying to escape.” His voice rumbled along Lia’s spine.

“Well,” the female pursed her lips, “I don’t think thevallesis that foolish as she’s only in a shift and is ill. Am I right,reilleve?”

Dahlia swallowed hard, her throat aching. She slumped in the king’s grasp. “I just need some air.” The room was spinning, and she couldn’tbreathe.

“And you shall have it.” She gestured to a cot near the window. “My lord, if you’d be so kind as to set yourniliavehere.”

Tears burned in her eyes as she continued to wheeze, her lungs squeezing painfully. The king’s grip loosened, and the world wavered as he wrapped an arm around her back and caught her behind the knees. She didn’t even feel embarrassed as the angry giant stomped across the room carrying her like a princess. Lia expected him to drop her like a sack of potatoes, but he gently set her on the cot next to the window and stepped away.

She tucked her legs beneath her shift, and leaned her cheek against the glass pane, her breath fogging up the window. How was she supposed to escape now? What would happen to hermother? Did they really expect her to assassinate the king?Her husband?The world blurred.

Her breath came faster, and dots swarmed her vision.

“What’s wrong with her?” a deep voice asked.

“Panic,lae reillov.”

“What do we do?”

“Hold your wife and I’ll get the window.”

Lia jerked as large, muscled arms curled around her and pulled her loosely into the king’s embrace. Her gaze latched on to the old giantess who cranked open the window. Cold air rushed in, crisp and clean. It stung her lungs and cheeks, but Dahlia welcomed it.

The female sat at the end of the cot and laid a knitted blanket over her leg. She then set her deep purple hand over the top of Lia’s foot before patting it. “That’s it,valles. Take slow sips of air.” Her chin lifted as her attention shifted to the hovering male behind Dahlia. “Keep your breathing steady,reillov.”

The rhythmic thumping of his hearts was a constant staccato behind her. Lia closed her eyes, feeling like she was ready to fall apart.

Sing.

A dark melody bloomed in her mind.

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

She began to mouth the words.

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

Despite her breathlessness, a low hum vibrated in her throat. The words of her mother’s song spilled from her lips as she opened her eyes. A sea of cool toned skin, white snow, and warm brown huts stood outside.

---