Page 13 of Frost and Death
“Good evening. Thank you for joining us in tonight’s festivities.”
Niko’s voice grounds me as I square my shoulders.
I avoid the sensation of Niko’s gaze burning into the side of my cheek as the mystery man’s eyes never leave mine.
When the handsome man lowers to one knee, I lean away with alarm. But he takes my hand regardless, kissing my knuckles.
Flames erupt and shoot up my entire arm from where his lips meet my skin.
The man’s eyes glint as he smirks.
I blink in astonishment.
Why do I feel like I am melting into my throne from the sheer gaze of this stranger?
Don’t combust, Tove. You have appearances to maintain.
The scarred man then winks as his thumb rubs a circle over the top of my hand, the heat underneath my skin abruptly cut off by the burst of ice shooting out in my veins.
My heart plummets as the brisk kiss of frost creeps down my stomach.
The man notices something is awry and steps away, studying me with an arched brow.
I feign a tight-lipped smile, trying to calm my magic. But it stirs vigorously, not having escaped from my fingertips in such a long time. An itch needing relief.
I can’t do this here.
I spare a glance at Niko, hoping my worried expression will be enough of an explanation, but he is preoccupied with studying the man instead of me.
“I-I need to be excused,” I blurt, rising and disregarding a formal departure.
I rush for the back room, thankful of its proximity to the throne.
By the time I close the door, the force of the winter prickles against my skin so much I try to scratch it away… but it persists.
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit!
I can get this to stop. I know I can. But the urge to let it out feels too good, and for a moment, I’m tempted to indulge in it.No.
I can’t.
The hearth blazes with fire, the cracking of wood burning and shooting embers upward as I pace in circles behind the red couch.
The mantel is barren, trinkets of value removed in fear of someone untrustworthy sneaking in here during the party. But the mural painted across the back wall, depicting a gathering of people, feels as if those eyes, too, are watching me.
I try to distract myself, my fear getting the better of me at the dark thoughts even as I try to breathe. I thread my fingers through my hair, but nothing makes my magic ebb. When I run over a sore spot on my scalp from my crown, I hiss.
The door bursts open as Niko rushes in, almost hurdling over the couch. “What’s wrong?” Niko demands with worry in his features.
He pins my arms to my side as he looks me over.
Shame draws forth tears, and all I can do to keep them at bay is hide from his gaze.
No one should be seeing me like this. Not even Niko.
“Did he hurt you?” He pats my arms, checking for any signs of weakness before meeting my gaze. “IswearI will kill him if he hurt you, Tee.”
My brows furrow at his question and threat. I shake my head in earnest, hoping it is enough to warn him away.
