Page 76 of Of Rime and Ruin
Infuriating, stubborn female. I inhale and try to steady my tone.
“I need to know if I should expect his goddessdamn army on my doorstep, so tell me now, Nahlani. Does he have a claim on you?” My voice booms with an edge of hysteria. So much for steady.
She flinches, shrinking into the railing.
Fuck.
With a growl, I tear myself away from her, putting distance between us before I can do physical harm. Ice burns in my veins, power churning beneath the surface.
Inhale. Exhale. Count to ten.
She watches me with a guarded gaze but does not turn to leave. We stare at each other for a long moment, and my panicked breathing fills the silence as I wrestle for control. Dizziness darkens my vision, narrowing my tunnel of view until all that’s left is her face.
“Are you okay, Your Majesty?” she whispers. Pity flashes across her features as she softens. Her brows knit, and she steps tentatively forward. LikeI’mthe one in danger ofher.
I clench my teeth. “Answer my question, please.”
“I didn’t accept the engagement. I…” She shakes her head. “I ran away.”
“So no one’s coming to look for you, Princess?”
“Probably not.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes as relief washes over me. She is unclaimed. Not a spy. Not a death-dealer. Not betrothed to a foreign prince. Just a lost troublemaker, far from home. I sway on my feet, weariness hitting me as my feelings settle and the ice retreats from my veins.
When I open my eyes, she’s still there, fiddling nervously with the ties of her robe. Her shoulders slump in defeat. How brave, to admit the truth. She’s all alone with no one to look out for her. No one to save her from me.
“Then you are mine to protect,” I grunt.Mine, the Beast purrs with approval. He likes the way she smiles in return, and the blush that creeps over her cheeks.
I like it, too.
“Good luck,” she says; that sparkle of mischief flashing anew.
“That doesn’t mean you can wander around my castle,” I warn. “My rules still stand. Go back to your room.”
She glances one more time toward the servant quarters, then turns away. “Fine.” Her fingers slide over the railing as she ascends, a slight sway in her hips.
A smile tugs my lips. “Good night.”
Chapter thirty-three
Nahla
Idreamofthehole in the basement floor, gaping wide like a mouth of razored teeth. Creatures of the night crawl out and haunt the castle, scratching their long nails on my door. Digging ruts in the wood. Claws screeching. High-pitched and piercing, like gulls on the wind. And the Frost King stands there, watching but doing nothing.
I wake sweaty, tangled by silken sheets and pillows.
With a gasp, I tear from the bed and drag the curtain open. It’s not quite dawn. Thick gray clouds blanket the horizon and enshroud the glacial bowl.
I pull a fresh night-robe from the wardrobe and cinch its belt at my waist. With a match, I light a candle. My heart keeps time with the adrenaline from my nightmare. If I could just check the hole, I could return to sleep…
Lifting my candle to dispel the shadows, I turn the doorknob and push into the hallway. A figure stirs next to the door.Perrin’s slouched form squints into the light, then raises a hand to shield his eyes.
“Nahla?”
“Sorry, Perrin. Just going for a walk.”
He yawns, his mouth puckering. “Sorry, no can do.” His forearm drops to block my path.
