Page 15 of Frost and Death
The world halts.
Applause erupts from the courtyard, telling me my distraction has run out.
Glancing down and seeing my skin welting, I wait to sense if the chill comes back. When it doesn’t, I find myself amused and in debt to this little bit of pain.
I apply pressure over the burn, blowing on it with my breath, hoping to prevent the tightening sting I will feel for the next few days.
The sounds of music resume in the ballroom, and guests returning echo down the hall.
I look to the night sky once more, sending a prayer of gratitude to the Makers for saving me from disaster.
I back away from the threshold, my posterior making contact with something hard.
4
Attraction is Maddening
Instinctively, I shield my face as I stumble forward.
But when I don’t meet the ground, I glance down, noticing hands that are not mine wrapped around my waist. I am quickly twisted, and my vision plays catch-up as I come face to face with the mysterious man from earlier.
Not who I was expecting to run into.
His ice-cold eyes survey me darkly as a rich cologne drowns my senses.
I stumble through each inhalation of his intoxicating scent. “F-Forgive me, my lord.”
He squeezes my sides quickly, helping me upright. The warmth from his touch expands from my waist downward.
I brush my hands on my dress, trying to conceal my skin heating.
Calm yourself, Tove.
As I tug my dress and sweep the fabric, I catch the man’s shoes, noticing the dark stain surrounding the edges. Lifting my brows, I wonder who arrives at a ball with stained boots?
His low, sultry voice pulls me from my question.
“I’m glad I was able to save you, My Queen.” He blatantly scans my full body, blue eyes lingering on my chest and hips before returning to my gaze.
I copy him, not letting my intimidation by him deter me.
“Yes,” I say in my cold voice, but I ease my tone a bit, gambling on letting a little vulnerability through. “Thank you for that. I would have been in trouble.”
A crooked smirk appears with a perfect dimple pierced in the side of his cheek. “You are the queen, right?”
“Yes?” I am unsure of where he is going with his question.
He looks around before leaning in, waving at me to do the same, as if he were wishing to share a secret.
I oblige him, dipping my head slightly.
His voice, so soft and dangerous, whispers, “Then, who would you be in trouble with?”
A snort breaks out, and I cover my mouth when his eyes widen in surprise.
Sweet Makers, I should not have let that laugh slip.
I should go back to the party and find Niko. Or maybe I should make a run for my room now to save me from causing any more disasters around this man and anyone else this evening.
