Page 205 of Frost and Death
“Are yousure?” Niko asks.
I nod faster than I can reply, needing him to listen and stand down. “I am.” I beam up at Niko, hope filling my chest.
Even though I haven’t spoken to Jerrick yet about bargaining for divorce, my gut tells me I am right and this will work.
It has to.
Niko drags his teeth against his bottom lip, and his amber eyes peek through his mask. He bows. I reach to squeeze Niko’s hand in thanks, wishing I could do more beyond that.
Soon, Tove. This will all be over with soon.
Niko moves to Jerrick, tilting his head slightly. “The pleasure is mine, King Jerrick. Thank you for taking care of our queen during this time. I will be sure to make arrangements for your arrival intoourkingdom after the festivities.”
The smirk Jerrick gives doesn’t reach his eyes, and I can tell he is fighting something internally. But Jerrick claps his hands, a feigned delight in his tone as he addresses Niko.
“Wonderful! Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to steal my wife from you.”
Niko stiffens, catching the intended jab that even takes me by surprise. But he tilts his head low, remaining silent.
Jerrick grins wickedly as Niko steps back, taking a piece of me with him. My husband guides me into the next dancing position. I look past Jerrick to Niko, his longing stare cracking my heart.
I mouth,Thank you.
Niko only turns and leaves.
I am quiet for a few dance steps. When there is room for a spin, Jerrick pulls me away, and I fall into the rhythm of the light, jolly tune. He spins me again, and when he touches my waist, I focus on the sensation.
Goose bumps trail down my exposed leg.
Jerrick leans in and whispers, “I know you enjoy dancing, but since we don’t have a lot of obligations now, I wanted to show you something.”
Anxiety claws under my skin, and I shake uncontrollably. I tighten my grip on Jerrick.
“That’s all you have to say after that?”
He shrugs nonchalantly. “He danced with you before I got to. So, I made sure he knew what is mine.”
Mine.
Like I could ever be his. He only says those things because we have to show a united front amongst our guests. It’s not like that is how he really feels.
His amusement is sure to die out when I tell him everything. Stress further dampens my mood, and I hate I cannot even savor dancing with Jerrick for the first time since Axidoria.
“D-Don’t you want to see?” Jerrick asks with a hint of worry.
It distracts me from reflecting on what happened, unsure of what else he would want to show me.
“See what? We have a party and guests to attend to,” I say as the song comes to an abrupt end.
Jerrick keeps me close as his brother comes to his side. “It’s ready.”
Jerrick and Jonas both smile mischievously, and suspicion crawls up my spine.
“What are you two up to?” I ask.
They chuckle to themselves, and it does nothing to make me feel better. But Jerrick wraps my hand around his elbow as my brother-in-law pecks my cheek.
“Trust me, Tove, you’ll like it,” Jonas whispers as he pulls away.
