Page 145 of Frost and Death
The merchant fights Jerrick’s hold as if even saying those words would condemn him to Oblivion. The hatred remains in his eyes as he lashes out at Jerrick.
“She has doomed Axidoria, and she has come to bring doom upon Palaena as well. And when that day comes, it’ll be all your fault.”
Jerrick’s entire demeanor shifts, altering into a darkened persona of the King of Palaena. He chuckles darkly, a smirk emphasizing his lone dimple.
“Well, if a little colder weather brings doom, I wouldhatefor you to learn what I bring.” The King of Palaena leans away, showmanship and awe drawing everyone in.
“Do you want to know what I bring?” Jerrick asks the elderly merchant curiously.
The air thickens as my face pales, knowing what Jerrick intends to do.
The merchant’s brown eyes widen, realizing the king is waiting for his response. “Wh-What?” he stutters wearily.
Jerrick leans into the man’s face, smiling viciously as his face turns cold and lethal.
“Your death.”
The merchant’s mouth falls, abruptly collapsing to the floor.
My own heart stops at the man lying on the cobblestones.
Lifeless, unmoving—dead.
There are no screams, no reactions. Only silence thick enough to send goose bumps up my spine.
Jerrick addresses the crowd. “You willallshow the same respect you have for me to my wife. She is your queen as I am your king.” He pauses, pointing at me. “She is here to help our kingdoms achieve peace.”
His passionate voice embosoms my heart, and Niko’s plan to attack Jerrick’s home weighs me down. This is not the first time Jerrick has defended me in public, but it is the first time I don’t feel scared.
Instead, I’m relieved someone did what I never could do for myself.
When he lowers his hand, the crowd still hangs on by a thread, including me, unsure of his next move. He straightens his shoulders as he turns to the crowd, making eye contact with everyone.
“Be wise to remember this day that between the two of us, she is merciful.” Jerrick lowers his voice with a promise. “I am not. Now go.”
His eyes rest on me at the finality of his words, and voices boom to life. Citizens weave around us, a few village guards approaching to attend to the elderly man who was alive mere minutes ago.
The dark aura surrounding Jerrick remains as I approach. The darkness of his mask and his curse ebbs away when our blue eyes lock.
I take his hand and interlace our fingers, squeezing. I should be terrified this same hand ended someone’s life seconds ago, but I can’t stop myself from running circles over it, his defense of me shocking and comforting.
Jerrick escorts us from the scene, and it isn’t until we leave the crowded section of the market that I want to understand his motivations.
“Why did you do that?” I ask.
We pace a few steps quietly, our hands still linked, and ignore those who pass.
Only when there is a break between people does Jerrick respond. “He disrespected you, and to disrespect you is to disrespect the crown.”
I nod, understanding the finality in his tone, and don’t try to push him. When we turn down an alley that leads toward more shops and homes, I can’t help but voice another thought.
“Can your magic always do that?”
Jerrick chuckles lightly as if he knew that would be my next question.
I half expect him to sweep it under the rug with a deflection but am surprised when he says, “It depends on whether I’ve hunted or not, but the majority of the time, I have to be touching someone.”
I gulp a silent nod, the small admission revealing more about his powers and sending doubt rippling through my mind over mine and Niko’s plans. I try to remember how often he has used his gifts on me, worried there are more instances than we have discussed.
