Page 81 of Frost Bound

He smiled, a flush of pleasure rolling through him. Olwen wiggled his brows at Neve. He quickly quashed whatever expression adorned his face but murmured to hisniliaveall the same: “Welcome to your new home.”

The sun hadlong since set when they reached the edge of Glace City, the stars twinkling brightly above in a dark velvet sky. Slowly, they traversed the winding roads, his people stepping outside their homes to wish them well or to stare. Lanterns lined the road, a merry guide to the palace.

It would have been easier to return via the barracks’ entrance, but his people needed to see their new queen. Plus, while he had chosen a human bride, that didn’t mean he trusted her with kingdom secrets. There was much he didn’t want her to see or to know.

The amethyst sentry spires bracketed the eastpasserelle. Neve nodded to the men as they moved onto yet another bridge.

Dahlia sucked in a sharp breath. “It drops so far down.”

He glanced to his left, barely making out the flowing water below. “Not much different from your Bridge of Bones, no?”

She shuddered. “Terrifying.”

“Don’t worry,reilleve. I won’t throw you over.”

She glared at him over her shoulder, and it made him smile. He liked riling the little human.

They passed through the portcullis and into the main courtyard, which still teemed with people. They bowed to the procession as they passed. Neve directed Cessa through a second, narrower gate that led to the entrance.

Eira and Warrin stood amongst some of the courtiers and servants waiting for them. Neve scanned the group. No sign of his sister.

He’d have to have words with Lumi. No doubt her absence would be noted.

He stopped beside the stairs that led inside the palace. He dismounted, and then pulled his queen from Cessa, therukhalblocking them from prying eyes. She slowly slid down his body, and gripped his forearms as he set her on her feet. She swallowed hard.

“I’m not sure I’m ready,” she whispered, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

He stared her down and leaned forward so he didn’t tower above her so much. “You must be.” The vulnerability was erased, her placid mask back. He pointed to her face. “This is your war face,jaivelle. Use it. Do not let them see your fear.”

“I’m not afraid.”

A hoot echoed through the courtyard, shocking gasps and murmurs from his court and advisors. Theastryllehad perfect timing.

“Time to meet your court, my queen.”

Chapter Thirty

Dahlia

It wasan odd feeling to be the tiniest person in a group.

Dahlia hadn’t really noticed it until a sea of finely dressed giants surrounded her all speaking at once—some in Loriian, others in the common tongue, still others in Fierran.

None of it made sense. It was just a jumble of words.

She just nodded and smiled as she was whisked up the stairs on the king’s arm and through a set of three-story-tall arched doors. Dahlia glanced over her shoulder at the starry night, already wishing she were somewhere else.

She had felt overwhelmed and lost in Florrant, but the ice palace was something altogether different. It was wealth and opulence that Lia couldn’t have imagined.

The king released her, and people surrounded her, but she didn’t hear a thing they said as she soaked in the palace’s opulence.

Columns of pale blue marble supported the arched ceiling, which was threaded with silver veins. Crystal chandeliers with hundreds of flickering flames sparkled like diamonds, eachcasting multi-hued light. Third-story banisters appeared almost as if out of thin air on each side, and led to an impressive split staircase that was wider than most homes she’d lived in.

You don’t belong here.

She glanced down at her dirty travel leathers, running her fingers over the slices Neve’s claws had made when they were attacked near the Seed. What must the courtiers think of her? Did they see a grubby human girl?

False queen.

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