Page 206 of Frost and Death
My chest turns into a sudden inferno. Even though I have no desire for whatever he means to show me, hope blooms at my chance to speak to Jerrick alone and tell him everything. I need to be brave and trust he will hear me out.
As Jerrick leads us out of the ballroom, I peer back at Jonas, hoping I am not in over my head. My brother-in-law gives the same smile his brother gave me, making my unease worse.
I ask Jerrick, “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise,” he says softly, caressing my brow.
“Sweet Makers, I do not enjoy surprises.” They only unsettle my stomach even more.
Jerrick responds with a light chuckle, guiding me down a hallway guarded by soldiers.
We walk for a while, guests and staff members we pass dwindling the farther we venture away from the party. When we veer left and stroll down a hall with more guards, I arch a brow in concern. Jerrick acknowledges them with a nod, and they salute.
My heart thunders in my chest, worried this is a section of the castle I am not familiar with.
What if Jerrick knows? What if he is taking me to the dungeons? Shit… I have never toured any dungeons.
I am such an idiot.
What if he is taking me somewhere to kill me? But this hallway is decorated like part of the ball.
I try to stop the never-ending thoughts from coming to a head as Jerrick and I remain linked. We pass by rooms I peek into, each of them empty. It is justus.
We approach the end of the hall, met with a tall black marble door. Varying tints of blue flicker in the light from the lanterns illuminating the area.
Jerrick turns to me, taking my hands in his. “I have a gift for you. It’s beyond this door.”
“Jer, please. You don’t have to get me anything.” I try to walk away, but Jerrick grabs my elbow, tugging me back to him.
The sincerity behind his gentleness physically hurts, making me wish and pray that, no matter what happens when I tell him,he won’t hate me. I don’t think I could live with that, knowing how much I care for him.
Jerrick rubs the back of his neck, his own nerves betraying him. “I-I wanted to get this for you.” He reaches for my hands again, drawing circles, and I drop my head to watch Jerrick’s hands envelop mine.
“After everything,” he whispers, drawing a few circles around my opened palm.
He releases a long sigh, and I peer up at him to see sadness. Arching a brow, I open my mouth to speak, but his eyes meet mine.
“After everything,” Jerrick repeats, “I wanted to get this for you. As a token of gratitude for everything you’ve done for me. And as an apology.”
I reassure him, “Jer, you have helped in more ways than I have. You didn’t need to get me anythi—”
“I needed to,” he whispers, looking at my lips.
I bite my lip as I stare at his, too.
His features soften, his dimple appearing beneath his mask.
I can’t help the involuntary lift of my cheeks at the sight. Swallowing thickly, I incline my head, allowing him to proceed.
“Close your eyes,” he says.
My joy stays glued on my face as I close my eyes. Jerrick releases my hands, the creak of a door opening. He guides me forward, commanding, “No looking.”
“No looking,” I repeat, aware of the quiet in the air.
Our feet lightly scuffle against the floor and faint music trickles in from the ballroom. Jerrick’s scent surrounds my senses, and he tugs me forward.
I follow him cautiously until he stops and grabs my shoulders to turn me. “Ready?”
