Page 35 of Frozen Star
Thanatos raises his chin. “And who, may I ask, are you?” he says to Riven, although his bottomless midnight gaze is focused on me.
“Prince Riven Draevor of the Winter Court,” Riven says haughtily, that familiar smirk crossing his lips. “Although, I’m surprised you had to ask—my reputation usually precedes me.”
The Night King doesn’t bother with a reply. He’s far too focused on me, his gaze sending a racing chill to my heart. Every nerve in my body crackles in warning, the Star Disc buzzing with magic, until it’s glowing with light that shines throughout the room.
I step forward, fury surging through me as I stare down the king who murdered Matt.
A sinister smile twists his lips, recognition sparking behind his cruel gaze. “You look so much like her,” he sneers. “The Summer Queen. Lysandra. But you’re more than her. So, so much more. More beautiful. Morepowerful.Which would make you that much more enjoyable to unravel… just like how I unraveled your little human friend.”
My heart stops.
“Zoey,” I growl, seeing red as I rush toward him, the rest of the world disappearing around me until I stop in front of him. “What did you do to Zoey?”
Thanatos chuckles, his eyes gleaming with malicious hunger. “Ah, Zoey,” he drawls, savoring her name like it’s a fine wine. “Her spirit was deliciously defiant. Perfect for breaking.” He smirks, leaning forward on his throne, frost climbing across his fingers. “But Aerix developed quite the attachment to her, and he claimed her for himself.”
Aerix.
I know the name from what Matt told me at Circe’s island, when he spoke to me from the beyond. The Night Prince who put Zoey under his spell, who she believes she’s in love with.
I grit my teeth, forcing the Star Disc to remain steady in my shaking grip. “Where is she?”
He laughs, a low, sinister sound that reverberates off the cold marble walls. “Your precious Zoey was taken to the human wing, where all the royal pets are kept.”
Pets.
The word sends another rush of rage through me. He thinks my best friend is nothing more than apet.I should kill him on the spot for speaking about her that way.
But I can’t. Not until I know more. And Icanget more. Because Riven is off to the side, fighting the queen. The otherwinter fae guards are holding off Malakai and Mirena. Ghost and Nebula are standing guard, ready to rip apart anyone who dares to enter the throne room. Which means I have time to destroy the king who murdered my ex-boyfriend and called my best friend apet.
“Is she alive?” I ask, surprised I’m able to speak through my desire to throw the Star Disc at him and pierce him straight in the heart.
“That,” Thanatos replies smoothly, considering the question with theatrical thoughtfulness, “depends entirely on what you mean byalive.”
My blood turns to ice. “Is she dead?”
“She still walks among us.” His grin widens to show his fangs. “Still breathes. Still bleeds when cut. Although… she’s certainly not the same girl who came to our realm all those months ago.”
“What does that mean?” I snarl, taking another step toward his throne. “What did you do to her?”
He rises, his wings spreading wide, his voice turning lethal. “I’ve indulged your questions for long enough. You want answers, Sapphire? Come and take them.”
He lunges forward, a storm of wind and ice exploding from his fingertips.
My magic rises to meet his, the throne room erupting into a whirlwind of frozen shards and howling gales. “Tell me what you did to Zoey,” I demand, controlling my magic enough to create a contained air bubble around us.
“She was broken and remade.” Wind gathers around his wings, making him look like a vengeful god. “Just like the others from the Winter Court.”
I curse at him and hurl the Star Disc, slicing effortlessly through his side, drawing a thick line of blood that stains his robes before returning to my hand.
Thanatos snarls and staggers back to his throne, frost racing over his wound as it heals.
“Tell me what you did to Zoey,” I demand again, stepping closer to him, holding the Star Disc up in warning.
“I did nothing to her.” Thanatos laughs, ice crackling beneath his feet as he stands and raises his hands, gathering power. “But Aerix made sure she will never belong to you again.”
“Zoey doesn’tbelongto anyone.” My patience snaps, and I blast a wave at him that forces him back onto his throne, hot water swirling around his robes and pinning him to his seat. “Now, answer my questions.” I step closer, pride racing through me when he flinches back. “And speak plainly this time. What did Aerix do to Zoey?”
Thanatos presses his lips together, saying nothing.
