Page 72 of Frost Bound

He placed his hands behind his back and clasped them. “How are you feeling?”

She blinked, as if surprised by the question, fiddling with her ring. “I’m much better, thank you.”

The healer had told him as much.Nonnaehad expressed concern about her lungs, but it was something that could be monitored from the palace. She could travel, and that’s what mattered. He needed to get home.

“It is time for us to depart. I have stayed longer than I should have.” Her brow wrinkled, and he arched a brow in question. “What?”

“I did not ask you to stay, my lord. You could have left me here.”

“As if I could leave myreillevebehind.” Truly, he’d thought about it, but ultimately brushed it aside. Dahlia needed more protection than he realized. And after he’d been apprised of how delicate humans really were, well, he didn’t trust her not to die while he was away.

Isn’t that what you originally wanted?

“I’m not ready.”

“You have to be.”

The elders from the Seed had already asked him penetrating questions concerning their new queen. His people were split down the middle—half accepting her, the other hating her on principle. If he was to unite his kingdom, Neve had to dote on his little human wife so his people would accept her as their own too. Leaving her behind did not send that message.

You’ve never doted a day in your life.

“What about my cough?”

Neve was prepared for this. “Nonnaesaid you can travel now. She has prepared tonics to protect your lungs and aid healing.” He waved a hand toward her legs. “You will ride with me sidesaddle to protect your thighs from any more damage. I have also arranged for stops each night at proper inns so you may be tended to, and warm yourself properly.”

Her jaw dropped, and then snapped closed. “As generous of an offer that is, my lord, I’ll ride my ownrukhal.”

He clicked his tongue, rocking back on his heels. “It is tradition that the bride ride with her husband. You will ride with me, wife.”

The placid mask on her face slid away, revealing growing anger and absolute determination. “Make no mistake,reillov, we might be bound, but I amnotyour wife.”

“Be that as it may, as you said, we are bound. There is no going back.” Neve pointed to the window. “Our people have been waiting to meet you for a fortnight.”

“Yourpeople, my lord.”

His jaw clenched. Why did she have to be so difficult? “You have made your disdain for the Loriian people abundantly clear since?—”

“No.” She sliced her hand through the air. “I’ve made my disdain foryouclear.” For some reason, her words cut. “From the moment I met you in that alcove, you’ve done nothing but threaten, frighten, and bully me. I don’t like you, and I certainly won’t stand for it any longer.”

It seemed she forgot about all the things he’d done to make her life easier. The warmer clothes, food she was familiar with, the extra day at the barn so she wouldn’t have to travel in the snow, therukhalsinstead of the wide horses. He accusations made him want to act like a villain. “You have seen nothing yet,valles.”

“Stop calling me that,” she ground out. “My name is Dahlia.”

“I will call you what I like.” He ate up the distance between them and captured her chin, lifting until she was forced to meet his gaze. “Hate me all you want, but the outcome will not change. You arelae niliave, my wife. You will get on Cessa with a smile on your face as we try to figure out the mess we have both been thrown into.”

Her breath sawed in and out. “And these are the words of my husband?”

“No, these are the words of your king.”

For a moment, he thought she might spit in his face. Instead, he watched with wonder as she shuttered her gaze and wiped all expression from her face. Once again, a blank mask.

Neve should have felt triumphant at getting his way, but instead hated that he couldn’t read the princess.

No. Your queen.

Unconsciously, he ran this thumb across her plush bottom lip, his claw skating her bowed top lip. Why was he so intrigued with her pink mouth? Why did it draw his attention?

There is something wrong with you.

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