Page 133 of Frost and Death
And in the days following Jerrick’s departure, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Guilt at lying to him and the knowledge of reading from Aiyana’s texts took turns with his noticeable distance.
With being on the mend from my cycle, I returned to the library.
Dorit accompanies me each day, but the days drag by, disappointment slackening my body every time I enter the library and Jerrick has still not returned. Dorit and Jonas provide excellent company, but I crave the routine Jerrick and I share more.
I read my preferred texts over his other stacks of books, practicing each time I am left alone for brief durations throughout the day. And each night ticks, sleepless and filled with meditation.
But joy has me jumping out of bed at the manifestation of a snowflake in the center of my palm.
I bounce around my room, almost hurrying down the hall to find Jerrick.
But I am reminded he still has not returned, and my triumph dies a little bit, knowing he isn’t here to witness it. I want to shove it in his face and brag that I can do it on my own, just to see if he would tease or praise me.
But in his absence, I turn to my mother’s mirror.
I impatiently wait for Betina and Niko’s presence, the vision of my rooms barely visible when my squeal escapes. “Betina! Look!” I beam with pride at my magic, my palm still cupping the snow.
Betina flicks up from the bed, shock and sleep swept away as she rushes toward the vanity. “Tove!” She breathes in awe.
I grin, giggling in bliss. I’ve mastered this!
I lock gazes with Betina, and the two of us are teary eyed. Missing home hits like a wave as I take her in, disbelieving that I did this.
“You’re training. Does that mean the king’s curse is broken?” Betina asks.
“No,” I admit, my gaze trickling back down to my palm.
Magic radiates toward my hand, a steady stream of frost seeping under the surface of my skin. It is breathtaking the longer I gaze at it, my heart leaping out of my chest when Niko bursts through the door.
“Betina, you’ll never believe it!” he rejoices, running toward her and embracing her tightly.
The wonderment and joy drains from my face at the sight. A void of betrayal stings and tightens my stomach.
The frost in my hand vanishes, the flow of power obliterated without a second thought.
Longing to be the one Niko holds turns my blood cold and my heart heavy.
Niko opens his eyes, finding me across the mirror with surprise. “Tove!” he exclaims, releasing Betina and hurrying toward me.
I dismiss the pleasantries, and Niko’s demeanor shifts.
He gazes back at Betina, who tugs her arm. Niko’s amber eyes find mine.
“It isn’t what it looks like, Tee,” Niko explains. “I’ve just received news, is all.”
Betina raises her hands in surrender when I dart to her. My trust wavers as I study the two of them, unsure of my own feelings about what I witnessed. Betina’s brows pinch with concern as I direct my attention back to Niko.
“What news did you receive so late into the night?” I ask, hiding my hands.
His fear remains in the back of my mind from the last time he saw my powers manifest, and part of me believes he would shrink away again should I show him.
“I received word of extra shipments of clothing and weaponry,” Niko says.
I nod silently, and Niko arches a brow. “Tee, don’t you get it? We are so close!”
A small tug of my lip lifts at that, the plan still happening in Niko’s mind. I do not want to dampen his spirits now, seeing as this is one of the few occurrences he’s not mad or jealous.
“We are, Niko,” I reply.
