Page 8 of Frost Bound

“Why?” she rasped, trying to get her emotions in check, just stopping before she dipped her fingers into the spice. “What do you really want?” Everything was a game to him.

“That is the question I’ve been waiting for you to ask.” He placed his palms on his desk and leaned back, stretching out like a lazy cat. “You have a decision to make that could save your brother.”

He was dangling Cosmos’ freedom in front of her to see if she’d bite. Lia didn’t want to engage him, but she needed information. “What are you offering me?”

“Such a clever girl.” Adder chuckled, eyeing her in a way that made her wish she were wearing a shapeless fur coat. “I have been entrusted with a special task that I believe you can help me with.”

“What is it?”

“Show me your legs first and we’ll go from there.”

How did he know?Her body flashed hot and then cold. “M-m-my legs?”

“No need to be shy.” He gestured at her skirt. “Let me see them.”

Dahlia trembled as she grabbed fistfuls of her skirt and slowly lifted it. Bile burned at the back of her throat as the warm air caressed her calves. She stopped when the hem reached her knees. It was far enough that he would see the blotchy, patchwork pattern of her skin. Humiliation burned her cheeks as silence stretched between them.

She hated that allowing someone to look at the splotches of different colors on her legs made her feel lacking. Defected.

Like an oddity or animal in the traveling fair.

“Have you seen all you needed to see?” she asked, her voice tight. There was one blessing for her disease. It had kept away the unwanted attentions of men. Maybe it would repel monsters too.

“I’ve only seen one other person like that,” the Giver murmured, still staring at her legs. “How did you come by it?”

“Born that way.”

“Interesting.” He blinked out of his stupor and waved a hand at her skirts. “I’ve seen enough. You’ll do, my sweet flower.”

Godsteeth, she hated that nickname. “What do you mean?”

Adder clasped his hands together. “I am to meet with one of the king’s men on the morrow. I will need you to accompany me.”

“As a paramour?” She could play his floozy as long as she didn’t actuallybecomehis lover.

“No, you’re too special for such a thing.” His smile became smug. “Allium is going to hate this.”

Who was Allium?“And my brother?”

“As long as you return on the morrow, he will be kept safe from the crown’s dungeons. But if you run or try to rescue him in any way…” He flashed his fangs. “Well, then you’ll both wish you hadn’t crossed paths with me. Death would be a pleasure.”

Finally, a truth. “How do I know I can trust you?”

“Oh, Lia, you can’t, but you don’t have much of a choice, do you?” He straightened from his desk and pressed a kiss to her cheek, his lips overly warm. “See you tomorrow.” With that, he rounded the tall table and began shuffling papers.

Dahlia stared at him, feeling her anger rising. He’d threatened what was left of her family and then went about his night like it was nothing. She shoved her hand into her pocket and pulled out the coins she still owed him. Lia slapped them down onto his shiny desk and waited until he met her gaze.

He arched a brow. “That isn’t nearly enough to bribe me.”

“I’m not bribing you. It’s the last of what I owe. My debt has been paid.”

A smug smile. “And here I thought you forgot.”

“Not on your life,” she retorted. “I will not be in your debt any longer.”

“Never say never, my flower,” he said, brushing his fingers over the back of her hand, leaving a chill in their wake.

Dahlia jerked back. “What time should I arrive for our journey?”

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