Page 195 of Frost and Death
When my steps lead me into the library, I stride over to our designated spot, moving books and ledgers around in hopes of finding the marriage agreement. I’m berating myself for never considering reading it all the way through.
When none of the scrolls look familiar to me, I flop against the cushioned chair as footsteps creep in behind me. Turning with the hope of seeing Jerrick, I am surprised when Jonas comes into view.
I lift a brow in question, and he shrugs.
“Jerrick asked me to check on you while he was gone. Since you weren’t in your rooms, I figured you might be here,” he says.
I stand and rush to him. “Do you have the marriage agreement?”
Concern etches his features. “It’s in Jerrick’s study. Why?”
I hesitate, choosing a half-truth that could work in my favor. “I never read it thoroughly. I was hoping if I did so and revisited the curse, it might help,” I admit bashfully.
Jonas’s eyebrows shoot up as he huffs a laugh. “Come on, sis”—he gestures toward the door—“I’ll take you to his study.”
“Thank you.” I grin, even though the guilt gnaws at my gut as we leave the library.
Jerrick’s study is on the second level of the castle, and as Jonas opens the door, my breath catches at the essence of Jerrick in this room.
I walk in, my hands brushing against the chair I sat in the first time I was here, realizing I hadn’t been in this room since that day. Hints of his cologne are in the air, and heat builds in my chest at the memory of him holding me earlier this afternoon.
Not once was I afraid. I only wanted to help. Even though my magic could have killed him, it was enough to catch his curse off guard, allowing me the chance to get the Jerrick I know back.
The door closes behind me, and my posture shoots up.
I remove the thought of Jerrick as Jonas approaches the desk, moving around piles of paperwork.
He grabs a scroll-like parchment that looks to be my marriage agreement.
Jonas extends it toward me, and I open it, looking upon the cursive handwriting at the top before skimming to the bottom.
I mutter, “This is going to take a while.”
Jonas comes around the desk and pats my shoulder. “I’ll leave you to it, then.”
Looking at him, I smile before turning my attention to the document. I use my finger to hover over the top of the page for good measure, where I really need to read will have to wait until Jonas leaves.
And as soon as the door to Jerrick’s study closes, ink drops of blood manifest on the sides of the paper. I stare in awe asthe blood inks itself into letters, scrambling down the parchment and forming words underneath those etched in the curse.
I scan over the remnants of the spell, drifting to the beginning, reading it thoroughly and finding the final piece to break Jerrick’s curse.
Ivan, oh Ivan how you’ve betrayed me,
killing my love ’cause you were consumed by jealousy.
Ruling two kingdoms filled your heart with greed,
as punishment for your actions,
I’ve placed a curse on your legacy.
Your kin will become the bringer of death,
turning on you first when I draw my last breath.
You’ll be forced to watch from beyond the grave,
Knowing your kingdom is failing
