Page 179 of Frost and Death
I clench my thighs at the thought of spending time alone with him.
He hasn’t stayed in my room since my nightmare, but every night he has escorted me back to my chambers, his presence remaining outside as if in waiting. And each time, I almost invite him in, only to cower away in fear… fear of ruining everything with him.
But I can’t dwell on that.
Not with everything I am trying to fix and prevent.
I look up from my boots and adjust my tunic in the vanity, and then plait my hair.
Dorit loads up my satchel for the next few days. When she finishes, she turns to the wardrobe, pulling out a belt Jerrick had made for me, armed with the knives he had forged.
The knives were so beautiful I didn’t want to take them on our trip, but Dorit suggested I should because we are hunting.
Tying off my plait, I stand from the vanity as Dorit reaches around, securing my belt into place.
“The daggers are beautiful,” she says as she admires the handles.
“They are,” I agree, humming at the memory of him delivering them last night.
Touching the silver beaded hilt sprinkled with blue sapphires in swirls, my heart tugs at the comment he made when delivering them.
They match your eyes, he told me.
Our eyes, I wanted to say back to him in that moment.
Fuck, Ireallyalmost lost my resolve then. I can’t stop the blush from gracing my cheeks.
Dorit’s smirks.
I cross my arms, arching a brow. “What’s that face for?”
She tightens her lip, stifling her chuckles.
I roll my eyes. “It’s not what you think.”
“I never said anything,” she teases through her giggles.
“They were a nice gift.”
“Mm-hmm.”
I exhale and glance around the room once more, savoring the comforts of being indoors versus hunting in the woods. “Alright, well, thank you for your help.”
I walk to my bed, my hands running over the sheets I’ll be without for the next few days. Tension coils in my back, a phantom pain pinching near my shoulder blade.
It’s a few days in the woods, Tove. You’ve survived once, you’ll survive again.
I remind myself that Jerrick will be with me. Knowing I won’t be venturing into the forest injured like last time is most reassuring. I pick up my satchel and give Dorit a hug.
She whispers, “Be safe and good luck.”
I sigh into our embrace, half disbelieving I amwillinglygoing on a hunting trip. I break away before I lose my courage.
When I reach the stables, Jerrick has one horse saddled, and a sense of relief rises, grateful he isn’t pushing to teach me how to ride on top of hunting. Yet my stomach churns because we’ll be sitting together on one horse.
Jerrick’s hair is tied into a low bun, small waves too short to be held cover his features.
My mouth runs dry at the sight of him, and I bite my lip, preparing to not say or do anything stupid. Approaching, I notice the two knives, a sword, and a bow draped over his chest.
