Page 14 of A Fate of Ice and Lies
I wrapped myself around her, letting the snow hit me as I tried to ward off the frigid air. I’d done this, knowing the consequences. I’d doomed her realm and made her wonder about her own sanity.
The ground beneath me trembled. I stilled, listening and watching the area around us—the stores that lined their small city, long poles with a warm light at the top, and the open field with tables and benches. I held my breath and waited as the ground settled, but not a single nyxx appeared.
“Let’s get you inside, huh?” I whispered, pressing a long kiss to the top of her head as I continued to scan our surroundings.
She let me lead her back inside, and when we reached my friends and uncle, she leaned against my chest as if it were second nature.
“You killed him?” My uncle’s tone was as cold and sharp as the snow.
Teddy jerked in my arms and sucked in a deep breath. I trailed a finger over her arm and had to bite back a smile when she inched closer tome.
It pleased me that she trusted our bond so completely. Maybe she’d even forgive me for what I’d done to her realm and the hardship her race now faced.
In time, as she came to know me, maybe I could talk her into returning to my realm.
“A human, George?” While Uncle Hudson kept control of his anger, it vibrated off him in waves that made George tremble. “This is bad enough.” He pointed outside again. “But killing a human?” He shook his head.
My friend stayed quiet with his head bowed. I wanted to defend George, but even though I outranked my uncle as the king’s only son, I’d already made a mess of things.
“What do you expect me to tell the elder Guardians?” Uncle Hudson asked.
“I’ll take whatever punishment they decree,” George said, eyes trained on my uncle’s brown boots.
“I will take the punishment,” I interjected. “This is my fault, Uncle.”
“Oh, I’m well aware of that, nephew,” Uncle Hudson spit out.
“What human was killed?” Teddy’s small voice was uncertain, and it wasn’t until I turned to look at her that I scented her fear.
“I told you, you don’t have to worry.” Knowing it made her feel safe, I brushed my fingers over her arm again. “You’re safe.”
Her fingers dug into my side. “Where’s the man who was with me?”
I hated the way her voice shook and the way her fear tasted on my tongue.
“You’re safe now,” I reminded her.
A tremble tore through her body. “The man?” she asked again, in a tight whisper.
George flashed her one of his quick smiles that made females in our realm fall over themselves, and I growled. His smile dropped, and he bowed his head.
“I took care of him,” George replied.
Her eyes were wide, and her growing fear made me nauseous as she took a step away. “You mean you killed him?” Her voice was louder, more erratic.
She held a hand up at me when I moved toward her. Dejected, I stilled and waited for her.
“Please,” she begged.
My heart stalled at the plea and terror in her voice.
With his brows drawn together in the same confusion I felt, George raised his hands. “The male harmed you,” he explained.
“Things don’t work like that here,” Uncle Hudson hissed. “Humans don’t go around killing each other for minor infractions.”
“Minor infractions?” I grumbled. “She was trapped and bleeding on the floor when I reached her.”
“You should never have come to begin with!” My uncle’s roar caught us all by surprise.
